SEEK jobs ads rose by 5.2 per cent in March. Was your state and sector among the increases?

THE states and sectors experiencing the strongest job ad growth on SEEK have been released. Is yours on the list?

SEEK job listings jumped 5.2 per cent in the past year, with jobseekers looking for trades and services roles reaping the most rewards.

March figures released by the online job board reveal trades and services jobs were up 24 per cent year-on-year, followed by healthcare and medical (up 17 per cent) and information and communication technology (up 6 per cent).

SEEK Australia and New Zealand managing director Michael Ilczynski said even though advertising on SEEK was up from the year before, new job ads dipped slightly from the month before.

“The 1 per cent month-on-month decline in new job advertising in March comes off the back of an improving trend in job advertising in recent months, and is primarily driven by the effects of Cyclone Debbie and the timing of Easter,” Mr Ilczynski said.

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“In Queensland, job ads were up 6 per cent year-on-year but were down 2.1 per cent month-on-month in March, with the majority of that dip attributed to Cyclone Debbie.”

Across Australia, Tasmania recorded the largest job ad growth, up 23.7 per cent year-on-year.

There were 24 per cent more trades and services jobs on SEEK this March compared to last. Picture: iStock

Fuelling this growth were healthcare and medical (up 49 per cent), hospitality and tourism (up 29 per cent) and trades and services (up 43 per cent).

“Strong advertising uplift on SEEK was also seen in South Australia (up 17.4 per cent), Western Australia (10.3 per cent) and the Northern Territory (up 10.2 per cent),” Mr Ilczynski said.

“The strength of WA’s recovery from the mining downturn continues with job ads rising for the sixth consecutive month in March (up 3.3 per cent month-on-month).”

Job ads rose 0.2 per cent year-on-year in New South Wales, 8.9 per cent in Victoria, and 7.7 per cent in the Australian Capital Territory.

Job listings in the information and communication technology rose six per cent in March too..

Nationally, there were less favourable conditions for jobseekers as there were more applications for each role on SEEK.

“In NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, NT and the ACT this March, conditions became more reasonable for hirers. For each job advertised there was a higher number of candidates applying, creating more competition for job seekers but providing hirers with a larger pool of candidates to choose from,” Mr Ilczynski said.

“While in SA and WA, there were improved competition conditions for job seekers compared to previous months.”

We’ve joined forces with Australia’s number one employment website SEEK. When you place a job ad in the paper you get a listing on SEEK as well, from only $389. To book, visit newsjobs.com.au or call 1300 555 627.