SEEK February 2026 – JOB AD MARKET TRENDS UPDATE:
Each month we review SEEK job advert volumes to track where advertising activity is increasing or decreasing.
This is purely a comparison of advertised roles – not hires, not employment levels, and not predictions. Simply job advert volumes.
So what do the February numbers show?
February has more job adverts than January across all sectors. That’s not unusual. January is typically a quieter advertising month, with many businesses only returning to full operations mid-month. Hiring activity generally increases once teams are back and recruitment plans resume.
The more meaningful comparison is February 2026 versus February 2025.
Here’s how February 2026 compares to February 2025:
- Accounting: 6,892 → 6,556
- Admin & Office Support: 9,198 → 8,882
- Legal: 2,793 → 2,739
- Human Resources: 3,070 → 3,082
- ICT: 8,358 → 7,528
- CEO/GM: 473 → 582
- Sales: 7,443 → 7,615
- Manufacturing & Transport: 14,718 → 15,919
What the Job Advert Data Shows
Across most white-collar sectors, February 2026 job advert volumes are slightly lower than February 2025.
The sectors showing higher job advert volumes year-on-year are:
• CEO / GM
• Sales
• Manufacturing & Transport
• Human Resources (marginally)
The changes are not extreme, but they are visible.
Accounting
6,892 → 6,556 job adverts
Fewer job adverts than February 2025.
Significantly more job adverts than January 2026.
Advertising activity has lifted since January but remains slightly below last year.
Admin & Office Support
9,198 → 8,882 job adverts
Slightly fewer job adverts than February 2025.
Strong lift from January 2026.
Despite ongoing discussion about AI and administrative roles, job advert volumes in this category remain relatively close to last year’s levels.
That is what the advertising data shows.
Legal
2,793 → 2,739 job adverts
Almost identical job advert volumes year-on-year.
Legal advertising activity appears steady.
Human Resources
3,070 → 3,082 job adverts
Very slight increase in job adverts year-on-year.
Minimal movement overall.
ICT
8,358 → 7,528 job adverts
Lower job advert volumes compared to February 2025.
Despite frequent headlines around AI and digital transformation, ICT job advert volumes have not increased year-on-year.
We will continue to monitor this over coming months.
CEO / GM
473 → 582 job adverts
Higher job advert volumes than February 2025.
Higher than January 2026.
Although this is the smallest category in overall volume, it shows one of the clearer increases in advertising activity.
Sales
7,443 → 7,615 job adverts
Higher job advert volumes year-on-year.
Strong lift from January.
Sales advertising remains active.
Manufacturing & Transport
14,718 → 15,919 job adverts
The largest category by volume.
Higher job advert volumes year-on-year.
Strong month-on-month lift.
Operational sectors continue to generate significant advertising activity.
Summary of February Job Advert Volumes
February 2026 shows:
• A typical seasonal lift in job adverts from January
• Slightly lower white-collar advertising volumes year-on-year in most sectors
• Stronger job advert volumes in leadership, sales and manufacturing
These figures reflect advertised roles only.
We will continue to compare job advert volumes month-on-month and year-on-year to identify whether these patterns continue through the year.
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*Note: SEEK data is a snapshot.
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.