Job ads on job board Seek declined by 8.2% in November 2022 compared to November 2021 but are 40.0% higher than in November 2019.

Applications per job ad are 14.4% higher over the year, but lower than 2019 levels.

By state, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) saw the biggest year-on-year decline at 18.9%. Job ads growth in Queensland stood flat over the year. Job ads in all states and territories were lower over the year, apart from Queensland, which recorded no change.

Job ads in all states and the ACT fell month-on-month, with the Northern Territory rising slightly by 0.5%. 

Compared to November 2019, Tasmania reported the biggest job ads growth in November 2022, with an increase of 68.5%. The ACT recorded the only decline during the period (-5.8%).

In comparison to last year, four industries have grown in job ad volume, Education & Training (9.2%), Accounting (7.1%), Engineering (4.7%) and Insurance & Superannuation (7.8%).

Job ads in Hospitality & Tourism recorded the greatest monthly fall in November, falling 13.5%.

Kendra Banks, Managing Director, Seek ANZ, said, "November 2021 saw job ads increasing significantly as businesses in Victoria and New South Wales scaled back up after lockdowns and in preparation for a restriction-free summer season. This year, hiring activity is slowing down, which is the trend that we would expect at this time of year."

"Job ads volumes in Hospitality & Tourism have seen a lot of flux this year. After unprecedented demand leading to record-breaking numbers in June, this industry has led the decline over the past two months, indicating that businesses have reduced their hiring activity for summer," Banks continued.

"If the traditional seasonal trends are returning, which is something we haven't seen for the past two years, then we can expect both employment demand and supply to remain quiet in December and January as businesses and candidates regroup ahead of the new working year," Banks added.