A survey released last month by Robert Half International Inc. found that 71% of Australian business leaders are more confident about their growth prospects this year compared to 2021.

In addition, Robert Half’s research found that 82% plan to hire permanent employees this year with 44% planning to maintain headcount and 38% expanding their workforces. Hiring for technology roles was particularly strong with 87% of Australian CIOs planning to hire permanent technology staff this year.

But while 2022 promises to be a strong year for Australia’s labour market, skill shortages will still be an issue, said Nicole Gorton, director, Robert Half.

“Even with the gradual return of international migration this year, the shortfall of skilled talent entering the market over the past two years will take at least the same amount of time to recover, if not more,” Gorton said.

Australian business will need to shore up their attraction and retention strategies.

More than half of Australian business leaders, 54%, believe finding qualified employees in 2022 will be more challenging than pre-pandemic, and this goes up to 63% amongst CIOs.

Almost four in 10 business leaders, 39%, said meeting candidate salary expectations will be their main challenge.

This data is based on a survey taken between November and December that included 300 hiring managers, including 100 CFOs and 100 CIOs from companies across Australia.