OVERVIEW OF JUNE 2021
STATE OF THE NATION:
• SEEK job ads were up by 91.6% in June 2021 when compared to June 2020 (y/y) and were up 23.7% when
compared to June 2019.
• Following a slight decline of 0.6% in May, June also saw a small month-on-month (m/m) decrease of 1.3%
in new job ads.
• Applications per ad increased for the first time since the height of the pandemic, with 6.1% more
applications per ad m/m. Application levels continue to be at low levels compared to historical trends.
• Job ad growth in Professional Service roles continues to lag behind other sectors.
STATE OF THE STATES:
• Most states saw a slight decline in new job ads m/m.
• All states and territories showing double-digit growth in new job ads compared to June 2019
The latest SEEK Employment Report shows job ad levels remain high with a 23.7% increase when compared to June 2019. Month-on-month job ad numbers declined slightly.
Kendra Banks, Managing Director, SEEK ANZ, commented: “The last month of the financial year saw job ad numbers remain strong, despite a small month-on-month decline of 1.3%. Job ads are 23.7% higher than they were in the same month two years ago. It is difficult to make comparisons to regular monthly trends, however June is traditionally a slightly quieter posting month as it is the end of the financial year. Many businesses hold off advertising new roles until July, when budgets are handed down and priorities for the coming financial year are set.”
Nearly all industries have shown significant job ad growth, often greater than pre-COVID levels – but applications per job ad remain subdued.
This fall in jobs applications is not limited to one industry or state or territory. There are staffing challenges in nearly every sector, with applications per job ad down in 25 of the 28 industries monitored.
Kendra Banks continued: “For the first time since the height of the pandemic we have seen the number of applications per job ad increase by 6.1% month-on-month. However, application numbers per job ad are still close to the lowest that they have been since 2012. “In the last few months, we have had between 39 and 42 million visits to our website per month. That tells us that Australians are still viewing job ads, but jobseekers are simply not applying at the same rates as they were pre-COVID 19.
“Since the pandemic began, the number of candidates who view a job ad on seek.com.au and then go on to apply for a role has fallen by 10%. We know candidates are being more cautious about moving jobs, as our research shows that two in three say that job security has become more important to them during the pandemic. In addition, 40% remain concerned about their job security, and 31% have held back from changing jobs.
“In the past 12 months, applications per job ad have also been reducing across all salary bands. The sharpest declines have been in lower salary bands, particularly for face-to-face roles under $70,000 a year in categories hardest hit by COVID-19 restrictions. Applications for these roles are now lower than pre-pandemic levels.
STATE OF THE STATES: MONTH-ON-MONTH GROWTH LIMITED TO WA AND THE ACT
In April it was reported all states and territories had record high job ad numbers. In June there was a slight decline m/m – in most parts of the country, except for the ACT and Western Australia.
All states continue to show at least a double-digit growth compared to June 2019.
Kendra Banks continued: “Despite most of the country experiencing a decline in month-on-month job ad numbers, all states and territories have had double-digit growth compared to June 2019. “We traditionally see softening of the labour market at the end of a financial year, however at the same time, most states and territories were impacted with snap lockdowns or restrictions of varying levels. Victoria experienced significant restrictions in June which could explain why the state saw the biggest month-on-month drop of 3.5% of all the states and territories. Of course, it is also to be expected after experiencing record highs to see a levelling off across the states.”
