Job ads on Australian job board Seek fell by 19.9% year-on-year in October. However, when compared to October 2019, job ads are 16.6% higher.

The annual decline was led by falling job ad numbers in Victoria and New South Wales, occurring in all but three industries.  

Meanwhile, job ad volumes declined 5.0% in October over the month. After slowing the month prior, growth in applications per job ad picked up again in September, rising 4.1%, and in almost every industry. Levels are now 81.1% higher year-on-year.

By state, on an annual basis, Victoria saw a decline of 26.5% in October. New South Wales job ads fell by 24.6%.

On a monthly basis, Victoria recorded the largest decline in job ad volumes in October, dropping 6.8% from September, the state’s largest decline in two years.

All but three industries recorded a decline in job ad volumes in October on a monthly basis: Legal (2.0%), Consulting and Strategy (1.9%) and Farming, Animals & Conservation (1.3%).

An 11.6% fall in Hospitality & Tourism job ads drove the overall drop in job ads, mainly due to double digit decline within the industry in Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory. Trades & Services (-4.6%) and Healthcare & Medical (-3.4%) were the next major contributors to the fall in job ad numbers.

Many of the largest hiring industries still have historically high job ad volumes, despite many months of job ad decline, including Trades & Services and Manufacturing, Transport & Logistics which are both 50% or more higher than October 2019 volumes.

As job ad volumes have fallen, the ratio of applications per job ad have risen in most industries, including rising 14% in Human Resources & Recruitment roles, 6% in Community Services & Development and 5% in Trades & Services.