Online job advertisements decreased last month

This story was first published on Tuesday 19 March 2024.

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February data from Jobs and Skills Australia’s Internet Vacancy Index (IVI) show the period of record growth in advertisements following the COVID-19 pandemic is ending, with vacancy numbers decreasing in five of the past six months. Despite this, vacancy numbers remain at record levels, with around 50% more advertisements in the labour market compared to five years ago.

In seasonally adjusted terms, online job advertisements decreased by 2.3% or 5,900, to 247,400. Vacancy numbers were down in all states and territories, across all skill level groups. 

Managers were the only major occupation group to record a slight increase in vacancies (up by 0.5% or 150 advertisements), while the strongest drop in job advertisements was for Community and Personal Service Workers (down by 6.3% or 1,800).

Job advertisements decreased the most in capital cities over the year, down by 11.7%, compared to a 6.6% decrease in regional Australia.

Monthly spotlight – BLACK, WHITE and RED ALL OVER: The tipping point for journalists and other writers?

While vacancies for journalists and other writers have declined from the IVI series high recorded in 2023, employment for this occupation has remained relatively unchanged over the past decade. This occupation appears to be close to a tipping point with the current challenges of disruptive innovation and changing consumer habits contrasted with the increasing social value of journalists’ work. Jobs and Skills Australia examined some detailed indicators of labour market dynamics for this occupation, signalling the potential for forthcoming turbulence.

For direct queries, email us at JSA-Nowcasting@jobsandskills.gov.au.