Australia’s recruitment market showed continued signs of slowing in December 2024. While the recruitment rate rose slightly by 1 percentage point during the month, overall figures have stayed largely unchanged over the past six months and remain lower than this time last year. This comes alongside a year-long decline in internet job vacancies and slower employment growth in recent months.
Employers found it slightly easier to fill positions in December, with recruitment difficulty dropping by 3 percentage points compared to November. This rate is also lower than it was in December 2023, suggesting a gradual improvement in hiring conditions.
The share of employers planning to add staff in the next three months increased by just 1 percentage point in December. Adjusted for trends, this measure remains at its lowest level since September 2020.
The figures reflect a labour market that is steady but slowing, with fewer new job openings and cautious hiring plans as businesses assess the economic landscape heading into 2025.
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