Australian Job Market Trends in 2024

ABS Labour Force data shows over 1.8 million people are employed as managers across various companies. They are skilled in communication, planning, budgeting and problem-solving. Their invaluable skills keep them in high demand, and they are one of Australia's highest-paying occupations.

Popular managerial roles are:

• Retail Managers

  Retail managers supervise retail operations, manage staff and ensure customer satisfaction.

  The growth of businesses in urban centres and shopping hubs has further increased the job openings for retail managers.

• Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Managers

  Advertising, public relations and sales managers develop marketing strategies and manage sales teams.

  As social media has become a popular platform for advertisement, you can find job openings for these managerial posts. They handle media relations and manage the company's image to reach broad and diverse audiences.

• Construction Managers

  Construction managers are responsible for planning and coordinating construction projects. They handle various infrastructural, commercial, industrial and residential building projects.

  The Australian job market has a high demand for construction managers due to ongoing infrastructure developments, urbanisation and population growth.

  Top employing occupations

  Occupation	Feb 2024 employment data	Average annual salary range (AUD)
  Retail Managers	243,700	$65k - $75k
  Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Managers	176,300	$80k - $125k
  Construction Managers	127,300	$185k - $205k

Professional service providers are the largest occupation group in the Australian job market. They perform analytical, conceptual and creative work across diverse industries like healthcare, IT, finance, education, etc.

Popular professional service jobs are:

• Registered Nurses

  Registered Nurses (RNs) provide essential medical care and support to patients. Nursing positions are frequently available in hospitals, clinics, aged care facilities, and home healthcare services.

• Accountants

  Accountants manage financial records and ensure compliance with tax laws. They often provide financial advice to individuals and businesses.

  Accountants have high job opportunities in accounting firms, corporate financial departments and government agencies.

• Primary School Teachers

  Primary school teachers specialising in mathematics, technology, and science are the most in-demand professionals.

  There is a high demand for primary school teachers in public and private schools across urban and regional areas.

  Top employing occupations

  Occupation	Feb 2024 employment data	Average annual salary range
  Registered Nurses	325,500	$85k - $90k
  Accountants	198,800	$70k - $90k
  Primary School Teacher	163,000	$95k - $105k

Technicians and Trades (T&T) workers perform technical tasks at construction, manufacturing, science and engineering sites.

As of February 2024, technicians and trade workers comprised approximately 13.4% of the total workforce. However, JSA Internet Vacancy Index data showed online job vacancies of 32400. It had declined by 18.6% over the year to April 2024. The 2021 data mentioned a 33% skill shortage, the highest in all occupations.

Popular technical jobs are given below:

• Electricians

  Electricians are in high demand for their expertise in installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems across residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

• Carpenters and Joiners

  Job opportunities for carpenters and joiners are high at construction and renovation companies. They can also work as independent contractors, often earning a competitive salary.

• Metal Fitters and Machinists

  Metal fitters and machinists have high job opportunities in manufacturing, mining, and heavy industry.

  Top employing occupations

  Occupation	Feb 2024 employment data	Average annual salary range
  Electricians	185,000	$90k - $110k
  Carpenters and Joiners	141,500	$65k - $85k
  Metal Fitters and Machinists	118,700	$70k - $90k

Community and personal service workers provide services in aged care, health and social welfare, hospitality, policing, tourism, sports and personal services.

The ABS quarterly data showed the employment of over 1.6 million CPS workers in Feb 2024. Community and personal service workers comprise around 11% of online job vacancies.

Popular Community and Personal Service jobs are:

• Aged and Disabled Carers

  Aged and Disabled Carers are often in high demand due to the large population of elderly residents. They provide personal care, monitor health conditions, and administer medications for elderly and disabled individuals.

• Child Carers

  Childcare workers play a crucial role in infants and young children's social and educational development.

  These workers are in demand in various sectors such as childcare, hospitals, and educational centres. They often have flexible working hours and may work different shifts, including evenings and weekends.

• Waiters

  As the number of restaurants, cafes, bars, and hotels increases there are many vacancies for waiters and waitresses. They often offer flexible working hours.

  Top employing occupations:

  Occupation	Feb 2024 employment data	Average annual salary range
  Aged and Disabled Carers	314,600	$60k - $70k
  Child Carers	123,000	$55k - $70k
  Waiters	127,000	$65k - $75k

Clerical and administrative workers are essential for the smooth operation of businesses in the Australian job market.

Individuals with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and basic office software proficiency, are preferred for the job. They handle various tasks, from basic office duties to more complex administrative responsibilities.

Popular Clerical and Administrative jobs are given below:

• General Clerks

  There is a high demand for clerks in corporate offices, government agencies, and small businesses to perform administrative tasks. One has to be good at office software and organisational skills.

• Receptionists

  Receptionists have a strong future demand of about 86%. They have strong future demand including Medical Receptionists, General Receptionists, Call Centre Team Leaders and Operators.

• Contract, Program, and Project Administrators

  There is a growing demand for administrators in construction, IT, healthcare, and government industries. They must have project management skills and relevant certifications like PRINCE2 or PMP.

  Top employing occupations

  Occupation	Feb 2024 employment data	Average annual salary range
  General Clerks	294,400	$50k - $60k
  Receptionist	189,000	$55k - $65k
  Contract, Program and Project Administrators	161,400	$70k - $135k

Sales workers are vital for businesses to engage customers and drive revenue across various sectors i.e. supermarkets, retail stores, grocery stores, and department stores.

Over 1.1 million people are employed as sales workers, making up around 7.69% of the total employment.

Popular sales jobs:

• Sales Assistants (General)

  Sales assistants are in high demand in Australia due to store turnover and expansion. They should be skilled in handling transactions and effective communication to help maintain the store's environment.

• Checkout Operators and Office Cashiers

  Checkout Operators and Office Cashier positions are in high demand in supermarkets, grocery stores, and retail outlets. Candidates with strong basic math skills and good customer service abilities are preferred for these roles.

• Real Estate Sales Agents

  Real Estate Sales agents have job opportunities in residential properties (houses and apartments) and commercial sectors (office buildings).

  Top employing occupations

  Occupation	Feb 2024 employment data	Average annual salary range
  Sales Assistants (General)	556,500	$55k - $65k
  Checkout Officers and Office Cashiers	134,900	$55k - $60k
  Real estate sales agent	99,300	$90k - $110k

ABS Labour force data shows that employment of machinery operators and drivers grew by 4.4% over the past 12 months till Feb 2024.

Many large-employing occupations currently face a skills shortage, including truck drivers, drillers, miners, shot firers, and crane operators.

Various roles that fall under this occupation are:

• Truck Drivers

  Truck drivers are often needed in the logistics and freight industries. They must have a valid truck driving licence, and time management skills.

  With a male-dominated workforce and demanding physical requirements, only 5% of truck drivers in the Australian job market are women.

• Store Persons

  For the efficient operation of warehouse activities, store persons are highly required in the retail, manufacturing, and logistics sectors. They must have skills in operating forklifts and other machinery to move heavy materials efficiently.

• Delivery Driver

  The growth of online businesses and prompt-to-home delivery services have increased the need for delivery drivers. These positions require strong navigation skills and exceptional customer service.

  Top employing occupations

  Occupation	Feb 2024 employment data	Average annual salary range
  Truck Drivers	199,200	$65k - $85k
  Store Persons	160,600	$55k - $65k
  Delivery Drivers	86,000	$55k - $65k

Labourers perform various manual tasks across multiple industries, including construction, agriculture and manufacturing.

Over the 3 months to Feb 2024, the employment number of labourers increased by 2.41%. They are in high demand in construction and agricultural activities.

The JSA vacancy report showed online vacancies declined by 26.1% over a year, marking the highest decrease among all occupations.

Popular roles within the labourer category include:

• Commercial Cleaners

  The rise in institutions and commercial establishments across Australia is increasing the need for commercial cleaners.

  This growth emphasises the vital role of cleanliness and hygiene in maintaining a healthy and efficient environment.

• Kitchen Hands

  The job opportunities for kitchen hands are high in the hospitality industry, Corporate Cafeterias, and tourist areas. More than 50% of females share employment in Australia as kitchen hands.

• Shelf Fillers

  Shelf fillers are responsible for arranging products, checking expiration dates, and ensuring shelves are well-presented. The job often involves working off-hours to restock the shelves.

  The continuous need to maintain store inventories creates demand for shelf fillers.

  Top employing occupations

  Occupation	Feb 2024 employment data	Average annual salary range
  Commercial Cleaners	150,200	$55k- $65k
  Kitchen Hands	147,000	$50k - $70k
  Shelf Fillers	70,300	$50k - $70k

Health Care and Social Assistance is Australia’s largest employing and fastest-growing industry.

The industry comprises both private and public sector operators. Working in this industry often involves community or home-based roles and can be done in various settings, including medical centres, hospitals, etc.

Professional, scientific, and technical services are a large employment industry. The industry is essential for supporting other enterprises with expert knowledge and skills.

The industry includes various sectors that provide high-quality services to domestic and international clients. Computer System Design and Related Services is the largest sector in the Australian job market, employing around 351,600 workers.

Want to know how much civil engineers earn? Read here.

Note: If you are interested in technical sectors, CDR is a crucial step toward establishing your professional career.

Retail trade is the second largest employment industry in Australia. These businesses primarily buy and resell goods to the public. It includes an increasing number of supermarkets, shopping centres, convenience stores, online shopping and franchises. Many jobs in retail are casual, part-time, or seasonal in the Australian job market.

The administrative and support services industry provides essential routine support for businesses and organisations. Most service providers in this sector employ fewer than 20 people. However, the building cleaning, pest control, and gardening services employ a significant number of workers, making them the largest sector in the industry.

Construction is also a large industry in Australia, employing over a million workers. The number of employees increased by 2.8% over the last year in the Australian job market. For those working in Australia, the construction sector offers a wide range of opportunities, contributing substantially to the country's economy.

Building Installation Services is the largest sector in the Construction industry, employing 307,000 workers.