Job ad volumes in Australia are 19.1% lower year-on-year, according to Seek’s latest employment report.

While job ads fell 19.1% they are 24.7% higher than April 2019.

When compared to the previous month, job ad volumes decreased 1.4%.

Applications per job ad rose 7.7% in March and are 72.6% higher over the year. Seek noted that applications per job ad are reported with a one-month lag.

Kendra Banks, Managing Director, Seek ANZ, said, “April was an interrupted month with multiple public holidays and observances, which has led to a drop in job ad numbers month-on-month, notably through a fall in Hospitality & Tourism roles. Additionally, we expect year-on-year deficits to continue to grow, as this time last year we were in the middle of the ‘Great Job Boom’.

When it comes to states, the biggest annual decrease was seen in the Australian Capital Territory which saw job ads fall 25.7% over the year. Victoria reported a fall of 24.5%.

On a monthly basis, the biggest decrease was also seen in the Australian Capital Territory (-6.6%). Meanwhile, South Australia (2.1%), Western Australia (1.4%) and Tasmania (1.3%) all reported increases over the month.

Seeks’ report also showed month-on-month figures by industry which found that the Education and Training industry reported the biggest increase in job ads (5.3%). This was followed by Consulting and Strategy (4.6%). The biggest decrease was seen in Sport and Recreation (-6.1%).