Australia’s Job Market Sees Strong Recovery in Hiring, with Easier Recruitment and Fewer Unfilled Roles

Jobs and Skills Australia’s most recent Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey reveals a promising surge in national hiring activity for February 2025. After a slower start to the year, the recruitment rate has risen significantly to 49%, rebounding from January’s low and returning to levels comparable to those seen 12 months ago. This uptick signals renewed confidence among employers and a healthy demand for talent across sectors.

One of the most encouraging findings is the noticeable ease with which employers are now filling vacancies. Recruitment difficulty has dropped to its lowest level since February 2021. This suggests that job seekers are more aligned with market needs, and employers are having greater success in matching candidates to open roles. Additionally, the number of jobs that remain vacant for over a month has reached a record low, underscoring the improved efficiency of the hiring process.

Despite the rise in current hiring activity, the outlook for future workforce expansion appears more cautious. Only 20% of employers anticipate increasing their staff in the next three months — a decrease from 26% during the same period last year. This may reflect broader economic considerations or strategic hiring following recent turnover.

Speaking of turnover, it remains the dominant reason for recruitment across Australia. According to the survey, 60% of employers hired to replace departing staff, while 28% recruited for newly created roles, hinting at some degree of business growth and evolution within the workforce.

Overall, the February 2025 data paints a positive picture for job seekers, with improved hiring chances and quicker recruitment timelines — a trend that could offer momentum for both employment opportunities and economic stability in the months ahead.