Skilled job vacancies rise 1.2%
24/09/2009
Source: WorkplaceInfo
Skilled job vacancies in Australia rose 1.2% in September, compared to the previous month, the latest Skilled Vacancies Index shows.
The rise was the second in consecutive months.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations skilled vacancies index in September was 38.6 points, 50.4% lower than in September 2008. The Index had fallen steadily since November 2007.
Vacancies in September rose in all three occupational groups monitored by the department.
Professional vacancies rose 1.2%, trades were up 0.8% and associate professionals increased 5%.
Rise widespread
The rise in skilled vacancies was widespread with increases evident in most occupations.
The largest monthly rise was recorded in building and engineering professionals — up 9.1%.
Increases in skilled vacancies were recorded in a majority of states and territories in September, led by the Northern Territory (5.8%), then Victoria (4.7%) Western Australia (3.2%), Tasmania (2%) and New South Wales (0.5%), but there were falls in South Australia (1.7%) and in Queensland (1%).
However, all states and territories suffered declines in the year to September, led by a 58.5% drop in Western Australia with New South Wales and Queensland down 56.9%.
Internet vacancies up
The department’s recently established internet vacancy index increased 1.9% for the month of August to 71.4 points, to be 48.4% lower than in August 2008.
Vacancies increased for seven of the eight occupational groups: technicians and trades workers (up by 4.9%), machinery operators and drivers (up by 3.4%), managers and community personal service workers (both up by 2.9%), sales workers (up by 2.8%), clerical and administrative workers (up by 2.6%) and professionals (up by 0.4%).
The sole decrease was for labourers (down by 3.1%).
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