Data from SEEK suggests that a large proportion of Australians are looking and actively applying for interstate employment opportunities. Hobart is the most popular destination, with 64.3 per cent of applicants coming from interstate or overseas.
Brisbane followed, with 43.6 per cent of candidates applying from external locations. Majority of the job seekers coming to Brisbane were from Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Perth and overseas. They were mainly applying to roles in Engineering, Mining, Resources & Energy, Information and Communication Technology and Design & Architecture sectors.
Kendra Banks, Managing Director, SEEK ANZ comments: “Hobart and Brisbane allow for a comfortable change of pace in comparison to the Sydney working lifestyle.”
Sydney and Melbourne are still a significant drawcard for jobseekers, particularly in the Engineering and Mining, Resources & Energy industries. Almost half of the candidates applying for roles in these sectors are applying from interstate and overseas, with Engineering application numbers sitting at 44.6 per cent for Melbourne and 45.3 per cent for Sydney and Mining, Resources & Energy sitting at 47.2 per cent for Melbourne and 55.9 per cent for Sydney.
Kendra Banks comments: “SEEK data tells us that the average salary for Engineering is $110,000, and Mining, Resources and Energy is $125,000, so it’s no surprise that job seekers are willing to look outside their home state for employment opportunities within these sectors.”
Figure 1: Local vs external job applicants (July – December 2019)
Data shows that now until the end of February is the most popular time for candidates to actively seek new roles. The employment market doesn’t slow down during the holiday and New Year period for job seekers, with candidate applications sitting at approximately 8 per cent above average throughout January, February and March.
