Where Are The Most Job Vacancies?

As we slowly get back to our “new normal” lives in the wake of the pandemic, many people are looking to return to the workforce – especially those who lost jobs during the lockdowns and restrictions.

Many employers are looking to hire, while some industries which grew during the pandemic are now looking for even more staff. Think warehouse workers and online order packers, thanks to the surge in online ordering becoming something of an entrenched trend even after bricks and mortar stores have reopened.

For those people looking for work, whether it’s your first job or you are returning to the workforce, there are plenty of opportunities. But where are the most jobs to be had? Or more importantly, where are jobs available for people with a disability?

What industries are hiring?

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show, from February 2020 to February 2022, job vacancies grew mostly in accommodation and food services (hospitality), and arts and recreation services.

The ABS figures showed 32% of accommodation and food service businesses had vacancies in February 2022, along with 22% of transport, postal and warehousing businesses, while 36.2% of administrative and support services also had vacancies.

The Australian Government’s National Skills Commission Job Vacancy Report for February 2022, released on March 23, reveals hospitality workers recorded the largest increase over the month, followed by general-inquiry clerks, call centre workers and receptionists, and food trades workers.

It’s no surprise there are a lot of jobs on offer in hospitality. The industry was hit hard during the pandemic, amid lockdowns and restrictions, and is now struggling with a lack of staff. The reason can be attributed, in part to past border closures, but also because many previous hospitality workers have moved into other roles.

There has also been a rise in home-delivered meals (which it seems people got used to because the demand remains strong), meaning there are more jobs for cooks, kitchen-hands and delivery drivers.

Also, given the surge in online shopping during the pandemic has now become a steady trend, picker and packer and warehouse roles are in strong demand across Australia.

Seek.com.au data shows picker and packer job ads grew by 128% in the last six months of last year – making it the fastest-growing job nationally.

Where the jobs in my state?

Picker and packer and warehouse staff jobs were the fastest-growing jobs in both NSW and Victoria, where hospitality and office and administration support staff roles were also in demand.

In WA, the fastest-growing job was warehouse assistant, followed by dishwasher and kitchen hand, and domestic cleaner. In Queensland, it was kitchen hand – which also ranked highly in South Australia – followed by picker and packer, and warehouse operator. Merchandiser roles were in demand in the Northern Territory. In Tasmania and the ACT the highest demand is for administrative and office support roles.

Other in-demand roles included people and culture managers, communications, digital business analyst, customer service, process workers, information and communications support staff, and administration and support staff.

How do I find the right job for me from all these roles?

AimBig Employment has been achieving successful employment outcomes for people with a disability for more than 20 years. Our team of experts has the skills and knowledge, and the business connections, to fit the right person with the right job opportunity for you. We also provide ongoing support in the workplace, and work with employers to establish and maintain inclusive workplaces.

We also have training and skills courses to help improve your job prospects.

Currently, our job boards have vacancies in the following areas:

• Administration and support staff
• Call centre staff
• Cleaners
• Customer service roles
• Data entry
• Delivery drivers
• Hospitality roles
• Picker and packers, and
• Process workers

If you’re interested in any of the above roles or would like to find out more about other jobs on offer, reach out today.