Australia Job Ads Fall for 5th Month

ANZ-Indeed Australian Job Ads surged 4.4% month-on-month in December 2025, rebounding sharply from a revised 0.8% decline in the prior month and marking the first increase since July. It was also the strongest monthly expansion since February 2022, indicating a renewed pick-up in hiring demand toward year-end. The rebound likely reflected seasonal recruitment ahead of the holiday period, easing concerns over economic slowdown, and continued resilience in consumer-facing activity. Gains were concentrated in sectors such as retail, customer service, and food services, which typically see stronger staffing needs late in the year. On an annual basis, job advertisements fell 3.2%, but remained 11.8% above pre-pandemic levels, underscoring a still-tight labor market despite some cooling from earlier peaks.

ANZ-Indeed Australian Job Ads fell 0.5% month-on-month in November 2025, easing from a revised 1.5% decline in the prior month and marking the softest contraction since August, extending a six-month downward trend. The moderation reflected seasonal distortions, as hiring in retail, sales, and food services declined sharply following the winding down of temporary recruitment ahead of the peak shopping period. In contrast, demand picked up in logistics, beauty and wellness, and healthcare roles, including physicians and surgeons, indicating continued pockets of labor strength. On an annual basis, job advertisements dropped 7.4%, pointing to a gradual cooling in labor demand amid tighter financial conditions. Still, postings remained 6.2% above pre-pandemic levels.

ANZ-Indeed Australian Job Ads dropped 0.2% month-on-month in October 2025, following a downwardly revised 1.9% decline in the previous month. This marked the fifth consecutive monthly decrease, reflecting softer hiring demand amid high interest rates, cautious business sentiment, and a cooling labor market. Year-end factors also weighed on the figure, as companies typically slow new hiring in Q4 while managing budgets and adjusting staffing ahead of annual closures. "Job ads have now declined for seven of the last eight months," said ANZ economist Aaron Luk. Job Ads fell across most states and territories in November, with the largest decline in Victoria, according to Indeed senior economist Callam Pickering.