{"id":108070,"date":"2025-12-17T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T23:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/?p=108070"},"modified":"2025-12-16T21:03:46","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T10:03:46","slug":"job-seekers-beware-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/job-seekers-beware-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Job Seekers Beware: Why It\u2019s Getting Harder to Find Work in Australia Right Now"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u2019s a grim reality that many will face as we head into the Christmas period.<\/p>\n

The Numbers Don\u2019t Lie: Fewer Jobs, More Applicants<\/h2>\n

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<\/a>. 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019t helping the situation. People are now competing for jobs while fewer opportunities are being posted.<\/p>\n

A Ray of Hope: Rising Salaries<\/h2>\n

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\u2019s important to note that it\u2019s mainly driven by the private sector. Private companies tend to offer higher salaries<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The Full-Time Job Struggle<\/h2>\n

The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics<\/a> 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\"Job
The logo of the Australian Bureau of Statistics<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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What Does This Mean for Job Seekers?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re currently hunting for a job, you\u2019re 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\u2019s 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\u2019t the end of the road. It\u2019s a reminder to stay persistent, adaptable, and open to new opportunities.<\/p>\n

The job market may be tough, but with the right mindset and preparation, you\u2019ll have a much better chance of standing out and finding that next opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201c[Australia is] taking workers out of a system already at breaking point, giving them jobs which are below their skill level and failing to protect them," says Fiona Macdonald, Director of the Centre for Future Work at The Australia Institute.

Read more: https:\/\/t.co\/pTOfNbdOpg<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LC7CiscF9H<\/a><\/p>— Australia Institute (@TheAusInstitute) December 10, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>