SEEK September 2025: JOB MARKET TRENDS UPDATE: As spring kicks off, Australia’s job market now shows a drop for all major categories this month – with Sales and Manufacturing included in the slide, after their surge ahead in August – and the data suggests this may not be just a seasonal noise.
- What the Data Shows
Month-on-Month (August → September 2025):
- Sales: ▼ 1,077 (-13.0%)
- Manufacturing & Transport: ▼ 1,314 (-8.0%)
- Accounting, Admin, Legal, ICT, HR: also in decline
- CEO/GM roles: ▲ +14 (+2.5%) – the only category showing an uptick
The key takeaway: Sales and Manufacturing are no longer holding the line – they’ve joined the downturn.
- Why the Slowdown?
Several structural and behavioural factors appear to be driving this softening:
- Restructurings & AI-Driven Cuts
- We’ve seen major banks cutting roles, offshoring positions, and integrating AI into customer service and back-office operations.
- These cuts ripple beyond banking, and are affecting Sales, ICT, and Admin roles, as demand for related services contracts lessen.
- Weak Private-Sector Job Creation
- The Australian Industry Group reports that 82% of new jobs are public-sector or government-funded, with private-sector job creation collapsing to just 53,000 in 2024 – only a fifth of the historic norms.
- This over-reliance on public hiring signals structural weakness, especially for sectors like Manufacturing, Sales, and Admin, which rely on private investment and expansion.
- Shrinking Ad Volumes, Rising Competition
- Seek data shows job listings are down 11% YoY, while applicants per ad are climbing.
- This means more candidates chasing fewer roles – reinforcing the perception of a tight and competitive market.
- “Job-Hugging” and Labour Market Caution
- Workers – particularly Gen Z – are becoming more risk-averse, staying put in current roles amid economic uncertainty and automation fears.
- Less voluntary turnover means fewer replacement ads being posted.
- What This Means For Employers
Even though job ad volumes are softening, competition for talent hasn’t disappeared. If you want to stand out:
- Sharpen your EVP: Promote your employer brand, flexibility, and culture.
- Upskill, don’t just hire: Retaining and developing existing staff can help offset slower external hiring.
- Be clear and compelling: Candidates are selective; make your ads engaging and transparent.
Arrange a free Employer Consultation – we can help.
- What This Means For Jobseekers
With more applicants per role, strategy matters:
- Focus where demand remains: Leadership roles (like CEO/GM) and specialised skill areas still show relative strength.
- Tailor your applications: Stand out with personalised, well-researched submissions.
- Upskill strategically: Use this period to build future-proof skills in tech, data, or automation-resistant fields.
See how our Career Resources can help you here
Bottom Line: September confirms a broad-based cooling across the job market, particularly in Sales and Manufacturing. Private-sector hiring remains sluggish, banks are tightening, and AI is reshaping role demand.
But this isn’t all bad news – it’s a signal for both employers and jobseekers to get sharper, more strategic, and better prepared for a more competitive hiring landscape in the months ahead.
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.