As the end of the year approaches, the Australian job market is looking increasingly challenging for job seekers. A recent survey reveals that the number of available job ads is shrinking, while competition for those jobs is ramping up. With fewer positions being advertised and more applicants vying for them, finding a job has never felt more competitive. It’s a grim reality that many will face as we head into the Christmas period.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Fewer Jobs, More Applicants
In November, job advertisements dropped by 0.5%, continuing a troubling trend of declining opportunities in the second half of the year, reports Yahoo Finance. While the overall job market was still relatively strong at the beginning of 2025, the second half of the year has seen a steady decline in available positions. Seek, one of Australia’s largest employment platforms, reported that job ads were down by 1.9% over the year, with Victoria leading the pack in the decline. In fact, job ads in Victoria fell by 1.4% in November alone. For a state that typically sees strong demand, this is a concerning development.
But what does this mean for job seekers? It means that applying for jobs is getting more competitive. As the number of job ads decreases, the number of applicants per job increases. For example, Seek’s senior economist Blair Chapman noted that the number of applicants per job ad has risen, even though the number of job ads has decreased. It’s a simple case of supply and demand: fewer jobs mean more people fighting for the same position. The holiday season, traditionally a time when many businesses slow down, isn’t helping the situation. People are now competing for jobs while fewer opportunities are being posted.
A Ray of Hope: Rising Salaries
On the upside, advertised salaries have been on the rise, albeit modestly. Seek data shows a 0.4% increase in salaries for November, marking the fastest growth since July of last year. While salary growth is a positive sign, it’s important to note that it’s mainly driven by the private sector. Private companies tend to offer higher salaries and more flexibility, which may explain the rise in wages. The public sector, on the other hand, is seeing slower wage growth due to fixed agreements.
This shift could indicate that the job market is evolving, with private companies increasingly leading the way in employment opportunities. Still, this wage growth is not enough to offset the overall slowdown in job ads, especially for those looking for stable, full-time work.
The Full-Time Job Struggle
The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics paints a stark picture. In November, 21,000 Australians lost their jobs, with the majority of these losses coming from full-time roles. While the unemployment rate remains steady at 4.3%, the drop in full-time employment is concerning. In particular, 57,000 people left the workforce entirely, with males accounting for 40,000 of these job losses. It’s clear that full-time, stable work is becoming more elusive for many, leaving part-time and casual positions as the only viable options for job seekers.
What Does This Mean for Job Seekers?
If you’re currently hunting for a job, you’re not alone. The job market is becoming tougher, and the competition is only going to get fiercer. As more Australians face the challenge of securing a job, it’s essential to be strategic. Consider diversifying your search, expanding your skills, and perhaps even looking into industries that are still hiring despite the overall slowdown. While the outlook may seem bleak, this isn’t the end of the road. It’s a reminder to stay persistent, adaptable, and open to new opportunities.
The job market may be tough, but with the right mindset and preparation, you’ll have a much better chance of standing out and finding that next opportunity.
