Western Australia has bucked the trend in April as job advertisements rose in the state by 2.7 per cent, compared to a national drop of 1.7 per cent, a survey says.
Western Australia has bucked the trend in April as job advertisements rose in the state by 2.7 per cent, compared to a national drop of 1.7 per cent, a survey says.
The latest SEEK Employment Index, which measures the ratio of new jobs to job applications, fell by 3.3 per cent nationally, seasonally adjusted, in April.
South Australia had the biggest drop of the index, seven per cent, while New South Wales had a fall of 6.7 per cent.
SEEK sales director Joe Powell said the policies from next week's federal budget would be keenly observed for their effect on the job market and the economy.
"It could be that some employers are waiting to see how they will affected by the Rudd government's first budget before investing in recruiting new staff," Mr Powell said.
New jobs advertised for the month fell by 1.7 per cent in the month, but that was still 18.5 per cent higher than in April last year.
Western Australian continued to ride the mining boom where jobs ads rose by 2.7 per cent in April, and 36.8 per cent higher year on year.
However NSW and the ACT had the biggest falls in new jobs ads for April, 4.4 per cent and 3.5 per cent respectively.
Queensland, 0.8 per cent, and Victoria, 0.2 per cent, posted minimal increases in jobs ads for the month.
Total applications for jobs on SEEK increased in all states during April, up 1.7 per cent nationally.
South Australia rose the most, seven per cent, with Western Australia up 3.9 per cent and NSW increasing 2.3 per cent.
Mr Powell said South Australia's "most extreme results" were likely to be driven by local factors, including the closure of the Mitsubishi plant in Adelaide.
"The subsequent impact on their employees and suppliers, has resulted in a sudden leap in job applications there," he said.
Professor Peter Sheehan of the Centre for Strategic Studies in Melbourne said Australia was currently in unusual economic circumstances.
"Policy makers face a difficult challenge in dealing effectively with a slowing economy, a resources boom and high inflation," Professor Sheehan said.
"The good news for homeowners is that further increases in interest rates seem unlikely in the short term based on the current economic climate."
Jobs that were the hardest to fill in April were safety inspectors, primary industry services, senior associate solicitors, property valuers and building planners.
The most competitive jobs were packers and fillers, transport warehousing, kitchen hands, banking staff and telephone sales operators.
