Australia’s transport, logistics, and supply chain industry is among the fastest growing sectors of the economy, according to the latest jobs research by recruitment firm Labourforce, reports fullyloaded.com.au. 

The company’s monthly Transport, Logistics, and Supply Chain Jobs Index showed employment in the sector rose by +4.6% during September, contributing to the +14.7% rise in jobs over the 12 months to 1 October 2014.

That rise is almost double the growth in jobs across the broader Australian economy, Labourforce spokesman Paul McLeay commented: "Last month saw healthy growth in job opportunities for road transport workers and particularly store persons and freight handlers.”

There has also been a shift in the geographic make-up of the industry, with much of the growth taking place in Victoria, which accounted for 28.1% of employment opportunities in the sector, compared with 22.9% 12 months ago.

New South Wales continued to hold the majority of jobs (39.7%) but did not grow that share over last year, while Western Australia’s share of jobs fell from 14.3% in September 2013 to 9.8% in September 2014.

The rise in employment indicates growing confidence and investment across the industry, Mr McLeay said. That is true when the data is divided between permanent jobs and temporary or casual employment.

For the first time since Labourforce began producing its index one year ago, the growth in permanent jobs (+4.8%) exceeded that of temporary jobs (4.1%), albeit narrowly. 

Mr McLeay predicted that confidence is likely to be matched with continued jobs growth over the coming months.

The index also noted that managerial-level jobs had been below trend, but that is likely to fade as organisations hire more supervisory staff to lead the larger permanent workforce.