WA skilled vacancies fall 17% in April

Western Australia has posted the biggest fall in skilled vacancies in April, nearly double the drop recorded by the national index, new data shows.

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations skilled vacancies index in April was 37.1 points, 8.9 per cent lower compared to the previous month.

Compared to April last year, the index plummeted 61 per cent.

All states and territories experienced decreases in skilled vacancies in April, the largest drop being 16.9 per cent in Western Australia.

Similarly, all states and territories suffered declines in the year to April, also led by WA with a fall of 68.8 per cent.

Vacancies in April fell in all three occupational groups monitored by the department compared to March.

Trade vacancies declined 10.4 per cent, associate professionals fell 8.0 per cent and professionals dropped 7.2 per cent.

The fall in skilled vacancies was widespread with decreases evident in most professions monitored by DEEWR.

The largest monthly fall was in medical and science technical officers, down 25.1 per cent.