Latest data from Jobs and Skills Australia’s January Internet Vacancy Index (IVI) show the period of record growth in advertisements following the COVID-19 pandemic may be ending, with vacancy numbers decreasing in seven of the past nine months. Despite this, vacancy numbers remain at record levels, with around two-thirds more advertisements in the labour market compared with the monthly average for 2019.
In seasonally adjusted terms, online job advertisements nationally decreased in January 2024 by 2% or 5,200 job advertisements to 254,500. Vacancy numbers were up in Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.
Over the month to January 2024, Labourers was the only major occupation group to record an increase in vacancies (up by 1.7% or 260 advertisements). The strongest drop in job ads was for Technicians and Trades Workers vacancies (down by 4.7% or 1,700).
Jobs ads over the year decreased the most in city areas, down by 12.3%, compared to a 5.8% decrease in regional Australia.
Monthly spotlight – The Hard Sell: Why demand for motor vehicle and vehicle parts salespersons isn’t creating more jobs
While vacancies for Motor Vehicle and Vehicle Parts Salespersons are at historically high levels, employment for this occupation has remained relatively unchanged over the past five years. With 2023 breaking the record for new car sales in a calendar year, Jobs and Skills Australia examined why unprecedented demand for this occupation isn’t creating more jobs within the automotive retail sector.
Read the full Internet Vacancy Index report.
For direct queries, email us at JSA-Nowcasting@jobsandskills.gov.au
