Job ads across Australia plummeted by 17.4% in December 2023 when compared to December 2022, according to data from Seek.

On a monthly basis, job ads rose slightly by 0.5%. Applications per job ad rose by 6.0% in December when compared to the prior month.

By industry, the ICT industry saw the steepest annual decline at 31.9%, while retail and consumer products followed at 26.9%. On the other hand, education and training saw the smallest annual decline at 5.9%.

Month-on-month data showed a 3.7% gain for the hospitality and tourism industry. Education and training saw the steepest fall at 3.5%.

By state, Victoria saw a 25.0% decline over the year, followed by New South Wales (-23.3%). The Northern Territory saw an increase of 1.8% while Tasmania saw a gain of 6.9%.

Over the month, Tasmania saw an increase of 5.6% in December while on the other hand the Australian Capital Territory saw a fall of 2.5%.