The number of job postings in Australia rose by 3.5% in April when compared to the previous month according to the Australian Job Index by HR consultancy Hro2.

Hro2’s data is collected from up to 4,300 employer, recruiter and niche job board sites.

The permanent jobs market rose by 6.9% in April, however the contingent job index fell 2.0% from March’s record level.

Hro2’s report suggests the fall in contingent job ads could be due to employer recalibrating the workforce mix towards permanent staff.

“This is the normal “post downturn” behaviour as business confidence returns, exacerbated this time by talent shortages in key areas,” the report stated.

The decrease could also reflect a change in sourcing methodology with employers, frustrated with finding temporary and casual, looking to other solutions. This could be increased use of recruiters / labour hire firms or trialling other employment marketplaces, the report stated.

“The gap between the Permanent and Contingent Job indices has been an ongoing trend observed for several years. It has also created a political focus on the emergence of “insecure” work. The post pandemic world may be seeing a strategic shift by employers back to permanent head count to lock in rare talent. The gap between the two indices is narrowing,” Hr20 states.

The Index also found that full time job opportunities rose 3.6% while part time job opportunities rose 3.1%. Both are at record levels.

The largest rises in job ads were seen in Healthcare (17.6%), Accommodation and Food Services (12.7%) and Professional Services (up 9.7%).

Meanwhile, job ads in Public Administration and Education fell, 0.7% and 4.9% respectively. Both are still marginally behind their pre-pandemic levels.

Among the regions, New South Wales saw job ads rise by 9.8% in April.