Regional job vacancies set yet another record in the month of October 2021. After topping levels not seen since the peak of the mining boom, vacancies advertised in regions continued rising, by another 3,000 positions in October to 74,300 jobs.
New South Wales and Victoria in particular have come roaring back from their respective lockdowns, with the number of advertised vacancies in each state more than 7% above September levels. The top monthly growth spots are all filled by regions in these states. In October 2021 the regional parts of all jurisdictions except the Northern Territory, are seeing advertised jobs well above the previous peaks. And while the Northern Territory is still below its previous record, vacancies in the territory have increased a nation-leading 53% through 2021 to 2,896 jobs.
Labour shortages in regions are now further constraining the prospects of regional businesses and communities. Managers, Professionals and Trades are particularly sought after in regional Australia, with these three occupations making up over half of advertised vacancies (51%). Other generally Certificate III and IV level jobs such as Community & Personal Services workers and Clerical & Administrative workers make up another 24% of advertised vacancies.
Vacancy growth was widespread across regional Australia, with no regions showing any significant fall in the number of advertised vacancies between September and October 2021. All regions in New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory showed increases. The biggest increases were in Gosford & Central Coast (up 20%), Illawarra & South Coast (up 12%), and Gippsland (up 9%). Over the month to October 2021 the 7% increases in advertisements in regional New South Wales and Victoria were complemented by smaller increases in regional Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Tasmania.
Over 2021 so far regional job vacancies are up 36%. Growth through the year is relatively evenly distributed across the country. Northern Territory leads with a 53% increase, closely followed by Tasmania (up by 49%), with the other states all close together and showing increases of 29% to 39%).
The five regions with the biggest jumps in vacancies between September and October 2021 were:
- Gosford & Central Coast in NSW with 20% more vacancies in Oct 2021 (1,716) than in Sept 2021 (1,430)
- Illawarra & South Coast in NSW up by 12% (2,666 compared to 2,377)
- Gippsland in VIC up by 9% (2,504 compared to 2,291)
- NSW North Coast up by 8% (3,855 compared to 3,571)
- Southern Highlands & Snowy in NSW up by 8% (1,020 compared to 948)
The five regions with the biggest jumps in vacancies over the year to date are:
- Darwin up by 62%
- Launceston & Northeast Tasmania up by 52%
- Hobart & Southeast Tasmania up by 52%
- Dubbo & Western NSW up by 50%
- Geelong & Surf Coast up by 48%
