Job ad numbers across Australia were 90% of their pre-Covid levels in the two weeks ended 25 October, according to a report by job site operator Seek.

“This is the highest national job ad figure since Covid began having an impact in March,” said Kendra Banks, managing director of Seek ANZ.

Job ads were at pre-Covid levels in Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania, Banks noted.

In the state of New South Wales, job ads were at 84% of pre-Covid levels while the state of Victoria had job ad numbers at 76% of pre-Covid levels.

“We have often talked about the close correlation between restrictions easing and more jobs advertised, and this is again evident,” Banks said. “The relaxation of restrictions in Victoria from 18 October and the announcement of further restrictions easing now allowing retail and hospitality, in particular, to re-open in the run-up to Christmas has led to strong growth in Victorian job ad volumes.”

Looking at jobs ads by sector, “professional services” has the furthest to go in terms of recovery. Job ads in this sector are only 65% of pre-Covid levels.

“This explains some of why New South Wales, [Australian Capital Territory] and Victoria are lagging the other states as they had more professional services roles pre-Covid, mainly in the metro areas,” Banks said. “For example, in February, Professional Services made up 34% of New South Wales’ sector mix, currently, that is 24%, and for Victoria, it was 27% and now 21%.”

Professional services roles are more traditionally office-based roles.