Coronavirus Australia: Jobs to apply for if you get laid off amid COVID-19 pandemic

Millions of Australians have had their employment plunged into doubt but there are a number of companies in need of staff as the coronavirus pandemic escalates.

The destruction to the Australian workforce as a result of the coronavirus pandemic is undeniable but there is a glimmer of hope for sudden jobseekers.

Millions are expected to be plunged into unemployment as result of the looming recession while the national shutdown to formalise social distancing measures has left tens of thousands without work.

The country’s major institutions have announced a need for staff this week, chasing call centre operators and supermarket workers.

Cleaners and nurses are also in high demand.

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A huge portion of the population have retreated to working from home and the added pressure on the network has resulted in an increase of complaints and issues directed at Telstra.

The major telco wants to hire 1000 people to ease that burden.

“In these extraordinary times, it is in the national interest for every company and individual to play a part in ensuring Australia comes through as strongly as possible,” chief executive Andrew Penn said at the end of last week.

Aussies working from home have placed added pressure on the telcos network. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

“We will be adding to our team to help manage call centre volumes and better serve our customers during this time, by recruiting an additional 1000 temporary contractors in Australia.”

Coles is another institution currently immune to the immediate downturn particularly after the well-publicised and sustained act of panic buying household essentials.

The major supermarket says the rush on toilet paper and other items has created a need for a huge number of staff.

“To help us continue to offer the best possible service to customers during this busy time, Coles is recruiting more than 5000 casual team members to work in supermarkets across Australia,” the company said recently.

“This will allow us to serve more customers and replenish shelves faster, while offering employment opportunities for Australians working in other industries impacted by COVID-19.”

Or if you’ve enjoyed the isolation imposed on the country to contain the spread of the deadly virus, maybe something more remote would be more suitable.

BHP is after 1500 short-term workers.

BHP says it’s on the lookout for 1500 short-term workers for its mining operations in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and New South Wales.

Acting local minerals president Edgar Basto said the positions are for truck drivers, mechanics, boilermakers, production operators, cleaners and warehouse staff.

“We are stepping up and providing jobs and contracts,” he said in a statement.

“Our suppliers, large and small, play a critical role in supporting our operations. It is a tough time for our communities and the economy, we must look out for each other as we manage through this together.”

UNEMPLOYMENT TO SKYROCKET
JP Morgan has predicted the nation’s economy in the second quarter to retract by nearly 10 per cent which it says would lead to an unemployment rate of 11 per cent.

This highlights the uncertainty surrounding the potential blow to the workforce but, whatever figures are considered, the shock to the Australian economy is going to be substantial.

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It also comes after a senior Federal Reserve executive warned unemployment in the US could hit 30 per cent, worse than during the Great Depression and three times the level seen during the GFC.

That could lead to an unprecedented 50 per cent drop in GDP, or a $US2.5 trillion hit to the world's largest economy.

The grim predictions explain the long lines snaking from Centrelink doors across the country as Senator Ruston appealed to desperate Australians to hold off contacting welfare when she appeared on Nine's Today show this morning.

“We clearly understand the distress that this coronavirus is causing,” she said. “We are asking for patience and calm. What we saw yesterday was heartbreaking.”

The MyGov online portal crashed on Monday after it was overwhelmed by people trying to access it.

The Government said the site could only handle 55,000 visitors at one time during the increased traffic, but numbers spiked to almost 100,000. On a normal day, visitor numbers are about 6000.

The volume of traffic was so high, Mr Robert initially claimed hackers were responsible for crashing the website. Senator Ruston said there was no excuse for what happened.

“I'm apologising,” she said.