Consider this: it’s January 2025, the new year is in full swing, and Australia’s employment landscape is gaining unexpected traction. Following a slow period in 2024, job postings on SEEK have surged by 5.1% month-over-month—the most meaningful increase as October 2021.
Simultaneously, advertised salaries are gradually increasing at a steady rate, climbing 3.6% year-on-year. What factors are driving this resurgence? And what implications does it hold for job hunters, employers, and the economy? Let’s delve into the latest SEEK data.
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Job opportunities are back in full force
The SEEK Employment Report presents a clear picture: hiring is rebounding. That 5.1% rise in job advertisements isn’t merely a seasonal fluctuation—it indicates that employers are starting strong as they enter 2025. After three months of declining activity,this feels like a reset moment. According to SEEK’s Senior Economist dr. Blair Chapman, “Employers have a clearer outlook for the year ahead,” and they’re quickly moving to fill positions.
The growth isn’t limited to one sector alone. Every state and territory—except Tasmania which saw a slight decline (down 0.6%)—experienced an increase in job ads. south Australia led with an remarkable 11.4% rise driven by demand for healthcare professionals, medical staff, manufacturing workers, transport personnel, and logistics teams. In Western Australia, an 8.5% increase was propelled by tradespeople and mining jobs alongside an impressive surge of 18.4% in ICT roles; meanwhile Queensland, NSW and Victoria capitalized on logistics and manufacturing sectors for their gains.
So what’s behind this hiring boom? Large-scale infrastructure projects coupled with a booming housing market are generating demand for hands-on positions—engineers (up by 16% m/m), machine operators (16%), and assembly workers (17%) are all highly sought after right now; even sectors like real estate (up by 9.6%) and mining (8.6%) show stronger hiring activity overall.The only exception appears to be Consulting & Strategy which fell by 5.1%, indicating not every industry is thriving. however here’s the twist: while job postings soar high applications per ad barely changed—down just slightly at -0 .1 % from December.
This means that job seekers still face tough competition as application levels remain substantially above historical averages. This suggests that even though more opportunities exist there remains a substantial pool of candidates likely influenced by economic uncertainty along with the convenience of online applications vying for each position creating an environment where both demand & competition intensify simultaneously.
Salaries: gradual yet steady growth
Taking a look at compensation trends,the SEEK Marketed Salary Index reveals an engaging narrative.Salaries increased by just 0 .3 % month-over-month in January—the fastest pace since July 2024—but annual growth has stabilized at 3 .6 % over three consecutive months.This figure surpasses headline inflation rates(2 .4 %) but given rising living costs especially affecting those with mortgages or rent payments real wage increases remain sluggish.
Across various states,the ACT recorded the highest annual salary growth rate at 4.6 %, marking its quickest pace seen recently.South Australia maintained stability at 3 .7 %, while NSW lagged behind at only 3 .2 %, representing its weakest growth since September 2022—a reflection of softer labor demands.Interestingly,Tasmania’s salaries remained unchanged despite experiencing employment drops totaling around 2 .8 % during last year suggesting tighter labor markets help sustain wages overall.
Broke down further into industries ,Professional roles topped charts boasting remarkable yearly pay hikes reaching up towards7 .8 %.Real Estate & Property followed closely behind showing increases around(6 .2 %)and Banking & Financial Services also saw notable rises(5 .6 %)with finance-related jobs witnessing quarterly jumps nearing(2 .9 %).education & Training once celebrated higher figures hovering around7 .6 % annually has cooled off landing now closer towards(4 ..8%).Meanwhile Advertising ,Arts& Media trails far back recording minimal upticks resting firmly below expectations sitting stagnant near just about(1..0%).
The broader viewpoint
So what can we conclude ? The employment market seems to be settling into more balanced rhythms — stronger than late last year but not accelerating too rapidly.Job advertisements continue rising yet Dr.Chapman advises caution against labeling this as complete trend reversal quite yet.Salaries might potentially be increasing though they aren’t keeping pace alongside escalating prices impacting many individuals’ finances.
For those seeking work it presents mixed outcomes — greater availability especially within industrial/construction fields but also fierce rivalry coupled with wage increments failing short of expectations.On another hand employers actively recruit particularly within hands-on industries though aren’t pushing salary enhancements beyond measured levels.january twenty twenty-five signifies fresh beginnings within Australian labor markets.The five point one percent spike observed among available positions signals confidence stemming from genuine needs — roads needing construction,houses requiring building goods needing transportation.Yet despite consistent salary increments remaining stable around three point six percent narratives suggest measured progress rather than runaway advancements.The pressing question remains whether such momentum can endure or if new sets challenges await ahead.
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