VET News

Labour Market Figures Show Promising Signs

Australian Jobs is the National Skills Commission’s detailed guide to the Australian labour market.   Using data from a range of sources including the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the National Skills Commission’s own research, the Department of Education, Skills and Employment and the National Centre for Vocational Education Research it includes information about industries and occupations as well as states, territories and regions. The publication highlights trends in the Australian labour market and provides guidance about searching for a job and the skills employers value.

In response to the 2020 Australian Jobs Report, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said it was clear that the pandemic has radically affected Australia’s labour market.

“We know this year has been tough for everyone, but there are promising signs of employment recovery now beginning to emerge,” Minister Cash said. “The Australian Jobs report shows us that the labour market has, and is, undergoing significant changes, and job seekers may need to rethink training and career pathways. What really stands out in this year’s report is that a large cohort of Australians will likely need to update or change their skillset to stay competitive in the labour market.” 

Australian Jobs can help.  Providing an easy-to-read overview of industry and occupation trends in the labour market, it is designed to meet the needs of students, career advisers, people looking for work and those involved in the national employment service, jobactive.

Key findings include: 

• Many labour market indicators are now improving since the low in May 2020. Encouragingly, employment for women and youth, who were initially affected the most, is rebounding quite strongly.
• Health Care and Social Assistance (aged and disability carers, registered nurses, child carers) is Australia’s largest employing industry and is an area proving to be the most resilient. Demand is expected to continue for this industry, given the COVID-19 pandemic and Australia’s ageing population. Females comprise 78 per cent of this workforce.
• Post-school study is highly advantageous – data shows that in Health Care and Social Assistance, more than 80 per cent of employees have a post-school qualification and carers and aides are the top emerging occupations, with more than 50 per cent of these workers holding a certificate III or higher VET qualification. 
• Occupations identified as resilient throughout the pandemic and that are expected to experience more growth are in groups such as: Professionals (Speech Professionals and Audiologists, Other Medical Practitioners and Midwives), Community and Personal Service Workers (Aged and Disabled Carers and Security Officers and Guards) and Machinery Operators and Drivers (Agricultural, Forestry and Horticultural Plant Operators and Delivery Drivers).

Use the links below for further information and to access original media releases:

• Annual jobs report points to COVID-19 rebound - Ministers' Media Centre Release
• Class of 2020: the Australian Jobs Yearbook - National Skills Commission

Date posted Dec 3, 2020