Nov 2020 ('000) | Aug 2020 to Nov 2020 (% change) | Nov 2019 to Nov 2020 (% change) | |
---|---|---|---|
Private sector | 228.8 | 24.2 | 12.9 |
Public sector | 25.6 | 16.9 | 4.8 |
Private and public sectors | 254.4 | 23.4 | 12.1 |
Job Vacancies, Australia
Results of the quarterly Job Vacancies Survey containing estimates of job vacancies classified by industry, sector and state/territory.
Key statistics
The seasonally adjusted estimates for the November 2020 quarter are as follows :
- Total job vacancies were 254,400, an increase of 23.4% from August 2020.
- Private sector vacancies were 228,800, an increase of 24.2% from August 2020.
- Public sector vacancies were 25,600, an increase of 16.9% from August 2020.
Survey Impacts
Continued suspension of trend estimates
Given the extent of change in the Job Vacancies time series, the ABS temporarily suspended trend series and moved to using forward factors for seasonal adjustment for a range of series, including some job vacancies estimates. For more information, please refer to: Spotlight: Job Vacancies Survey Methods During COVID-19.
Survey responses remain high in November
Responses for the Job Vacancies Survey November 2020 quarter remained high, with similar levels of responses to previous quarters. The ABS would like to thank the Australian business community for their continued support in responding to our surveys during such a difficult time, given how critically important this information is.
Comparing job vacancies with other measures of labour demand
In addition to Job Vacancies, there are a number of non-ABS measures that measure labour demand using alternative concepts, sources and methods. These are also widely used as leading indicators of employment. Prominent examples include the ANZ Job Advertisement Series, the SEEK Employment Report, and the Department of Education, Skills and Employment's Internet Vacancy Index.
Measures of job vacancies and job advertisements will differ for a number of reasons. One of the key differences is that job vacancies includes jobs for which job advertisements are undertaken but also include jobs where other recruitment approaches are exclusively used, such as word of mouth or social media. According to the National Skills Commission's Survey of Employer's Recruitment Experience, 19 per cent of jobs are not advertised (i.e. recruitment is done through word of mouth alone or by considering people who approach the business). For further details on recruitment practices, please see the Survey of Employer's Recruitment Experiences 2019 Data Report.
Furthermore, job vacancies count every position advertised within a single notice, while some job advertisements may be used to fill multiple positions.
COVID-19 impacts on job vacancies
Job vacancies increased by 23.4% (48,200 vacancies) in the three months to November 2020 (seasonally adjusted). This follows the largest fall in job vacancies in the history of the series in May 2020, a reflection of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions on people and businesses.
All states and territories recorded increases in job vacancies in November 2020 compared with August 2020 and all states and territories, with the exception of Victoria, surpassed the pre-pandemic levels of vacancies in February 2020. The slight lag in the recovery of Victoria's job vacancies reflects the second wave of COVID-19 experienced in the state.
The chart below shows the annual percentage change in job vacancies by industry. Vacancies in many industries surpassed the pre-pandemic levels of February, reflecting changes in COVID-19 restrictions and labour shortages in some industries.
While not a regular output from the survey, a measure of the number of businesses reporting any vacancies also shows the extent of the acute reduction in labour demand in May 2020, as well as the subsequent recovery to November 2020. In May 2020, a much lower proportion of businesses reported at least one vacancy (6.5%). By November 2020, this had increased to 14.7% of businesses compared with 14.0% in the previous November.
Nov-20 | May-20 | Nov-19 | |
---|---|---|---|
Mining | 16.3% | 8.3% | 11.0% |
Manufacturing | 14.6% | 4.4% | 11.1% |
Electricity, gas, water and waste services | 18.5% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
Construction | 13.0% | 4.6% | 14.0% |
Wholesale trade | 17.8% | 14.1% | 14.7% |
Retail trade | 17.8% | 9.7% | 16.8% |
Accommodation and food services | 16.9% | 2.3% | 16.1% |
Transport, postal and warehousing | 4.3% | 4.1% | 2.1% |
Information media and telecommunications | 14.0% | 7.0% | 5.6% |
Financial and insurance services | 15.7% | 5.0% | 12.8% |
Rental, hiring and real estate services | 12.8% | 4.1% | 10.2% |
Professional, scientific and technical services | 14.2% | 9.2% | 11.4% |
Administrative and support services | 18.9% | 7.8% | 31.6% |
Public administration and safety | 35.4% | 22.6% | 31.5% |
Education and training | 5.2% | 4.0% | 11.0% |
Health care and social assistance | 13.6% | 6.5% | 13.6% |
Arts and recreation services | 21.0% | 0.5% | 5.4% |
Other services | 16.7% | 5.6% | 16.1% |
All Industries | 14.7% | 6.5% | 14.0% |
Nov-20 | May-20 | Nov-19 | |
---|---|---|---|
New South Wales | 15.1% | 5.8% | 15.1% |
Victoria | 15.5% | 6.0% | 13.8% |
Queensland | 12.9% | 10.5% | 13.7% |
South Australia | 9.1% | 2.9% | 11.2% |
Western Australia | 16.7% | 5.5% | 11.7% |
Tasmania | 14.2% | 4.5% | 14.7% |
Northern Territory | 21.0% | 6.7% | 23.7% |
Australian Capital Territory | 17.3% | 3.5% | 10.4% |
Australia | 14.7% | 6.5% | 14.0% |
States and territories
NSW | Vic | Qld | SA | WA | Tas | NT | ACT | Australia | Australia (Seasonally Adjusted) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aug-19 | 72.8 | 61.2 | 39.1 | 11.3 | 26.4 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 7.6 | 226.3 | 224.2 |
Nov-19 | 80.2 | 60.1 | 39.2 | 11.4 | 25.7 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 7.7 | 231.4 | 227 |
Feb-20 | 79.3 | 59.7 | 38.4 | 11.7 | 27.6 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 6.6 | 229.5 | 227.3 |
May-20 | 39.8 | 28.7 | 25.2 | 6.8 | 16.8 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 3.6 | 124.5 | 129.2 |
Aug-20 | 62.2 | 45.8 | 42.1 | 12.5 | 32.2 | 3.4 | 4.2 | 5.6 | 208 | 206.1 |
Nov-20 | 82.7 | 58.4 | 47.9 | 15.6 | 37.4 | 5.1 | 4.2 | 7.9 | 259.2 | 254.4 |
NSW | Vic | Qld | SA | WA | Tas | NT | ACT | Australia | Australia (Seasonally Adjusted) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aug-19 | -5.6 | 1.8 | 17.9 | 1.2 | 13.6 | 11.3 | 3.1 | 12.2 | 3.3 | -1.7 |
Nov-19 | 10.1 | -1.7 | 0.2 | 0.4 | -2.6 | -0.7 | -19.5 | 2 | 2.2 | 1.3 |
Feb-20 | -1.1 | -0.8 | -2 | 2.7 | 7.3 | -5.7 | -17.8 | -13.8 | -0.8 | 0.1 |
May-20 | -49.9 | -51.9 | -34.3 | -41.6 | -39.1 | -45.7 | -39.7 | -46.2 | -45.8 | -43.1 |
Aug-20 | 56.4 | 59.5 | 67 | 83.2 | 91.4 | 84.7 | 146.3 | 57.2 | 67.1 | 59.5 |
Nov-20 | 32.9 | 27.6 | 13.7 | 24.6 | 16.2 | 50.4 | 0.1 | 40.4 | 24.6 | 23.4 |
NSW | Vic | Qld | SA | WA | Tas | NT | ACT | Australia | Australia (Seasonally Adjusted) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nov-18 | 6.2 | 10.8 | 9 | 18.1 | 45.5 | 39.3 | 26.1 | 9.2 | 12.7 | 12.7 |
Nov-19 | -4 | -2.4 | 3.7 | 6.2 | -3.9 | 0.5 | -8.9 | 10.2 | -1.4 | -1.5 |
Nov-20 | 3.1 | -2.9 | 22.4 | 36.9 | 45.3 | 42.1 | 22.1 | 2.3 | 12 | 12.1 |
All figures are original unless stated otherwise
Trend figures are not currently available
Private sector, states and territories
NSW | Vic | Qld | SA | WA | Tas | NT | ACT | Australia | Australia (Seasonally Adjusted) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aug-19 | 65.3 | 55.9 | 35.3 | 9.5 | 24.5 | 3 | 3.7 | 5.1 | 202.3 | 200.6 |
Nov-19 | 72.2 | 54.9 | 35.5 | 9.5 | 23.5 | 2.9 | 3 | 5.3 | 206.7 | 202.6 |
Feb-20 | 71.4 | 53.7 | 34.9 | 10 | 25.4 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 4.9 | 205.1 | 202.1 |
May-20 | 33.4 | 24.3 | 22.9 | 5.2 | 15.4 | *1.6 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 106.5 | 111.3 |
Aug-20 | 55 | 40.6 | 39.2 | 10.6 | 30.2 | 2.8 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 185.7 | 184.3 |
Nov-20 | 74.4 | 52.8 | 44 | 13.3 | 35 | 4.4 | 3.5 | 6 | 233.3 | 228.8 |
NSW | Vic | Qld | SA | WA | Tas | NT | ACT | Australia | Australia (Seasonally Adjusted) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aug-19 | -6.1 | 2.4 | 17.2 | -1 | 12.5 | 13.2 | 0.6 | 5 | 2.8 | -2.5 |
Nov-19 | 10.4 | -1.8 | 0.5 | -0.5 | -3.9 | -3.3 | -18.4 | 3.4 | 2.2 | 1 |
Feb-20 | -1.1 | -2.2 | -1.8 | 5.6 | 7.9 | -0.6 | -31.1 | -6.2 | -0.7 | -0.3 |
May-20 | -53.2 | -54.8 | -34.3 | -48.1 | -39.2 | -46.6 | -39 | -48.8 | -48.1 | -44.9 |
Aug-20 | 64.5 | 67.4 | 71.1 | 104.7 | 95.7 | 82 | 186.8 | 46.2 | 74.3 | 65.5 |
Nov-20 | 35.4 | 30 | 12.1 | 25.2 | 16.1 | 53.2 | -2.9 | 62.1 | 25.6 | 24.2 |
NSW | Vic | Qld | SA | WA | Tas | NT | ACT | Australia | Australia (Seasonally Adjusted) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nov-18 | 7 | 7.9 | 7.5 | 13.7 | 49.3 | 42.9 | 26.4 | 16.7 | 12.2 | 12.2 |
Nov-19 | -6.2 | -1.3 | 2.3 | 3.3 | -6 | -4.7 | -5 | -0.5 | -2.9 | -3 |
Nov-20 | 3.2 | -3.8 | 23.9 | 40.6 | 49 | 48.1 | 16.9 | 13.9 | 12.9 | 12.9 |
All figures are original unless stated otherwise
Trend figures are not currently available
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution
Public sector, states and territories
NSW | Vic | Qld | SA | WA | Tas | NT | ACT | Australia | Australia (Seasonally Adjusted) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aug-19 | 7.5 | 5.3 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 2 | 0.6 | *0.7 | 2.5 | 24 | 23.5 |
Nov-19 | 8 | 5.2 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 2.2 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 24.7 | 24.4 |
Feb-20 | 7.9 | 6 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 24.4 | 25.2 |
May-20 | 6.3 | 4.4 | 2.3 | 1.6 | *1.4 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 1 | 17.9 | 17.9 |
Aug-20 | 7.2 | 5.1 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 2 | 0.6 | *0.6 | 1.9 | 22.3 | 21.9 |
Nov-20 | 8.2 | 5.6 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 0.8 | *0.8 | 1.9 | 25.8 | 25.6 |
NSW | Vic | Qld | SA | WA | Tas | NT | ACT | Australia | Australia (Seasonally Adjusted) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aug-19 | -1.2 | -4.3 | 24.2 | 14.6 | 30.2 | 2.2 | 19.7 | 30.6 | 8 | 5.9 |
Nov-19 | 7.3 | -0.8 | -2.9 | 5.1 | 14 | 12.6 | -25.4 | -0.8 | 2.7 | 3.5 |
Feb-20 | -1 | 14.4 | -3.6 | -12.1 | 0.3 | -27.7 | 63 | -30 | -1.2 | 3.3 |
May-20 | -20.2 | -26.1 | -34.3 | -2.7 | -37.1 | -40.8 | -41.5 | -38.8 | -26.5 | -28.9 |
Aug-20 | 14 | 16.1 | 26.4 | 14.3 | 43.8 | 99.1 | 37.8 | 83.5 | 24.6 | 22 |
Nov-20 | 13.9 | 8.5 | 34.7 | 21.2 | 17.9 | 36.3 | 16.7 | -1.2 | 15.7 | 16.9 |
NSW | Vic | Qld | SA | WA | Tas | NT | ACT | Australia | Australia (Seasonally Adjusted) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nov-18 | -2.3 | 48.6 | 30.6 | 54.5 | 7 | 21.3 | 24.7 | -8.9 | 17.4 | 17.6 |
Nov-19 | 22.3 | -12.7 | 19.8 | 23.7 | 25.5 | 31.3 | -27.4 | 43 | 13 | 13.3 |
Nov-20 | 2.6 | 6.5 | 7.8 | 18.4 | 7 | 16.3 | 53.3 | -22.4 | 4.7 | 4.8 |
All figures are original unless stated otherwise
Trend figures are not currently available
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution
Industry
Aug-19 | Nov-19 | Feb-20 | May-20 | Aug-20 | Nov-20 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mining | 6.4 | 6.2 | 6.5 | 4.3 | 5.6 | 6.3 |
Manufacturing | 11.6 | 10.9 | 12.2 | 7 | 13.5 | 15.3 |
Electricity, gas, water and waste services | 2.2 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 1.9 | 2.2 |
Construction | 14.9 | 16.6 | 16.6 | 8.3 | 15.9 | 17.9 |
Wholesale trade | 10.4 | 11.8 | 12.6 | 6.5 | 9.9 | 13.4 |
Retail trade | 22.1 | 24.8 | 18.9 | 11.4 | 18.5 | 25.7 |
Accommodation and food services | 14.5 | 14.5 | 14.7 | *5.0 | 13.5 | 22.4 |
Transport, postal and warehousing | 6.4 | 7.1 | 7.5 | 3.3 | 5.5 | 6.6 |
Information media and telecommunications | 2.7 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 2 | 2.4 | 2.7 |
Financial and insurance services | 12.1 | 11 | 11.9 | 7.8 | 12.3 | 12.8 |
Rental, hiring and real estate services | 4.1 | 2.7 | 3.2 | *1.0 | *3.6 | 4.4 |
Professional, scientific and technical services | 25 | 23.7 | 26.3 | 13.1 | 23.5 | 27 |
Administrative and support services | 34.2 | 34.5 | 31.2 | 17.5 | 24.2 | 26.8 |
Public administration and safety | 13.2 | 12.9 | 13.3 | 8.6 | 13.4 | 16.7 |
Education and training | 6.6 | 7.3 | 7.7 | 3.6 | 6.4 | 6.7 |
Health care and social assistance | 27.4 | 28 | 29.8 | 19.7 | 28.4 | 37.7 |
Arts and recreation services | 3.6 | 2.8 | 2 | **0.1 | 1.2 | 4 |
Other services | 9 | 11.4 | 9.4 | *3.6 | 8.3 | 10.6 |
All figures are original
* estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution
** estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use
Downloads
Time series spreadsheets
Table 1. Job vacancies, state and territories ('000)
Table 2. Job vacancies, private sector, state and territories ('000)
Table 3. Job vacancies, public sector, state and territories ('000)
Table 4. Job vacancies, industry, Australia ('000) - original
All time series
Previous catalogue number
This release previously used catalogue number 6354.0.