Current data from the Commonwealth Government’s Internet Vacancy Index shows that vacancy growth is higher in regional Australia than in our capital cities, when comparing vacancy data from March 2017 and March 2019. Regional Australia saw growth in vacancies of 12% compared to just 8% in our capital cities.
In March 2019, there were around 46,250 job vacancies advertised outside of the mainland state capital cities. It is approximately an increase of 5600 jobs compared to the job vacancies in February 2019. This is in line with the annual seasonal trend of an increase after the summer drop in advertising (see graph below).
For regional Australia, the average over the 12 months to March 2019 increased by 14% on the average for the 12 months to March 2017. Vacancies in metropolitan areas only went up 9% over the same period.
TOP 5 REGIONS
The five regions with the greatest growth rate of month-to-month vacancies from March 2017 to March 2019 are:
- Launceston and Northeast Tasmania has the highest percentage increase of 53%;
- South West WA saw an increase of 41%;
- Outback Queensland, which increased by 39%;
- Riverina and Murray increased by 36% ; and
- Pilbara and Kimberley increased by 33% respectively.
In terms of actual job growth numbers, as expected the largest are in the mainland capital cities, with the exception of Adelaide which has a smaller increase compared to some areas in regional Australia.
Far North Queensland had the greatest increase over the two years, up by approximately 687 jobs. This is followed by Canberra and surrounds (502), Newcastle and Hunter (471) and the Pilbara and Kimberley (409).
The types of vacancies that regional Australia is currently experiencing are a mix of high skill and low skill jobs. Everything from labouring, through to sales, trades and professions. Most of the places that had the greatest increases in vacancies require people in the medical field as well as technicians and trades workers.
For instance, Launceston and Northeast Tasmania, which experienced the highest growth rate of job vacancies over the two years, has 547 vacancies. Most of these vacancies are professionals (165), mainly medical as well as in business and finance. There are also many job vacancies in clerical and administrative positions (82).
Far North Queensland had the greatest increase in job vacancy numbers over the two years, and currently has around 4255 job vacancies, mostly in professionals (958) and technicians and trade workers (925). Professional jobs required are for medical practitioners and health diagnostic and therapy, as well as in business and finance. Technicians and trade workers are mostly required for electrotechnology and telecommunications. There are also many vacancies for clerical and administrative positions (562).
South West WA has around 681 jobs available, the most vacancies are for technicians and trade workers (168 jobs mainly automotive and engineering). This is followed by professional jobs (123), specifically for health diagnostic and therapy professionals.
In the Pilbara and Kimberley the most vacancies are for technicians and trades (606) and professional jobs, particularly engineers (119).
The seasonal variations and overall trends are shown in the figure below:
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
To search for specific information about each LGA across the country, check out our Regional Job Vacancy Map.
If you have a story to tell about jobs in your region, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact the RAI on 02 6260 3733 or email [email protected]. Alternatively, please contact the RAI’s Amanda Barwick 0429 142 232.
The RAI will be issuing the Regional Jobs Update each quarter.