Job ads on job board Seek Australia were up by 63.2% in October 2021 when compared to October 2020 and up 44.0% when compared to October 2019.

October saw the highest number of job ads posted in a month in Seek’s history.

Seek job ads were up 10.2% month-on-month. Applications per job ad declined by 5.4% over the month.

All states and territories had more job ads than in October 2019.

On a month-to-month basis, New South Wales had the highest growth in new job ads, recording an increase of 20.3% for the second month running. Victoria increased by 16.3% over the month.

On an annual basis, Victoria saw an increase of 102.2% over the year, the highest growth among the states.

Kendra Banks, Managing Director, SEEK ANZ, said, “In October, Seek had more jobs ads on-site than ever before. A combination of the lifting of restrictions in our two largest employment markets, New South Wales and Victoria, along with businesses getting ready for what will hopefully be a bumper holiday period has had a huge impact on this month’s job ad volumes.”

Banks continued, “One of the many factors that impact hirers who find it challenging to recruit is the very large number of open roles currently available. Despite site visits remaining high, there is still a hesitancy, particularly with customer-facing roles, with people not wanting to move jobs just yet.”