SEEK August 2025: JOB MARKET TRENDS UPDATE – Job ad volumes on SEEK rose again in August 2025, continuing the month-on-month momentum we saw through June and July. Most categories show further gains: Sales, and Manufacturing & Transport, being the strongest contributors to the lift, while Legal eased back.
At A Glance
• Month-on-month: All sectors saw growth again in August – a third consecutive lift.
• Year-on-year: Most categories are tracking above or close to 2024 levels, though gaps remain in a few areas.
• Reality check: Momentum or mid-year bump?
Category Insights
Aug-24 | Jul-25 | Aug-25 – numbers and interpretation
- • Accounting: Up to 6,688 ads in August, climbing steadily after July. Still slightly below August 2024 levels (7,674), showing improved employer confidence.• Admin & Office Support: Up to 9,002 in August, one of the strongest performers, suggesting ongoing prioritisation of support roles.• Legal: Fell to 2,854, reflecting a minor slowdown, but overall demand remains consistent.• Human Resources: Up slightly to 3,137 – HR teams may be rebuilding capacity as employers focus on retention and engagement.• ICT: Tech roles increased to 8,054, maintaining the steady lift seen since May. Still below August 2024 (8,702), but showing resilience.• CEO / GM: Slight increase to 570, indicating a cautious uptick in board-level and strategic hires.• Sales: Up to 8,293, surpassing August 2024 (8,241) – a strong sign of recovery in the sector.
• Manufacturing & Transport: The highest-volume category at 16,411 ads, showing sustained operational demand and month-on-month growth.
What this means for you
For Employers
- August’s momentum is real and broad-based – now is a good time to move if you’re hiring, particularly in Sales and Manufacturing where activity is highest.
- Offers that emphasise flexibility, clear career progression and a compelling purpose will stand out in a tightening candidate market.
For Jobseekers
- Opportunities are increasing in Sales, Manufacturing, Admin and ICT – August shows clear month-on-month gains in these areas.
- Candidate leverage is improving in categories with rising ad volumes; now’s a good time to be selective and negotiate on flexibility and progression.
- If you’re targeting Legal, be aware of short-term volatility – time your applications to follow spikes where possible.
In Summary
August 2025 continues the mid-year recovery story: month-on-month growth is consistent and meaningful, with Sales and Manufacturing & Transport powering the lift. In 2024 – some categories had elevated months and M&T’s tracking had not yet started, so clients and candidates should consider this to get a comprehensive balanced view.
Globally, the story is more mixed as a new Staffing Industry Analysts update shows: Read More Here
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author accepts no liability for any changes, loss, or damage arising from reliance on its content. Readers should seek independent legal advice and updates, before acting on any matter discussed in this document.