The SEEK Employment Report has shown a decline of 4.7 per cent in jobs advertised compared to March 2018. However, at the same time the average advertised salary across Australia rose 2.6 per cent year on year.
“Although year on year job ad growth declined this month, job ads continue to be at a relatively high level and the softening we are seeing in growth is mirrored by softening in GDP growth numbers,” commented Kendra Banks, managing director, SEEK ANZ. “A majority of the states and territories experienced this decline, to the exclusion of Tasmania (+15.5 per cent) and Western Australia (+2.7 per cent).
“In our larger labour force states, such as Victoria and NSW there is a continued job ad decline (-3.1 per cent and -9.0 per cent respectively), with NSW declining since the beginning of the first quarter in 2019,” she added. “Part of the decline in NSW may reflect a more cautious approach by businesses leading up to the recent state election.”
Job ad growth in industries related to public service continues to outperform other sectors. This includes Government & Defence (+16.8 per cent), Healthcare & Medical (+6.4 per cent), Education & Training (+5.8 per cent) and Community Services & Development (+4.4 per cent), reflecting the current role of government in supporting activity.
