Australia Job Ads Extend Gains

ANZ-Indeed Australian Job Ads rose 3.2% month-on-month in January 2025, easing from an upwardly revised 5.2% gain in December. Despite the slower pace, it marked the first back-to-back monthly increases since October 2024, lifting ads to their highest level since then. According to Indeed senior economist Callam Pickering, the New Year has coincided with a stronger hiring appetite nationwide. In February, ads for nurses climbed to their highest level in nearly two years, while management roles reached the strongest level since September 2023. Vacancies also rose solidly in retail and administration, suggesting broad-based labour demand. Growth was widespread across mainland states, though Tasmania lagged. New South Wales recorded the largest increase, followed by Western Australia and Queensland.

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.