Australian job ads plunge at sharpest rate in two years, ANZ-Indeed data shows

Australia’s labour market showed fresh signs of strain in September, with job advertisements falling at the sharpest pace in nearly two years.

According to the latest ANZ-Indeed Job Ads data, postings dropped by 3.3% month-on-month, the steepest decline since February 2024. The figures represent the third consecutive monthly fall after more than a year of relative stability. The previous month’s numbers were also revised lower, showing a 0.3% contraction instead of the initially reported flat result.

Economists warn that the latest data raises concerns about the hiring outlook as employers continue to scale back demand. “We find that the labour market has eased slightly in recent months, compared with the Reserve Bank of Australia’s view that conditions have been steady and stable,” said ANZ economist Aaron Luk.

Industry-wise, the September downturn was particularly visible in education, management, and administrative assistance roles, where job ads saw noticeable reductions. Overall, postings were down 4.3% compared with the same month last year.

Seasonal recruitment has also shown signs of cooling. Many retailers have already started looking for Christmas staff, but hiring activity appears weaker than at the same point in 2024. “Retail hiring is underway, though at a slower pace,” noted Indeed Senior Economist Callam Pickering.

While the labour market remains historically tight, the September figures suggest a turning point, with hiring appetite easing even as the economy adjusts to cost-of-living pressures and cautious consumer spending. Analysts expect policymakers to watch the trend closely as it feeds into the Reserve Bank’s broader view of wages, inflation, and overall employment conditions.