WA skilled vacancies fall over 11%

Western Australia has experienced the largest fall in skilled job vacancies in the country for May with a drop of more than 11 per cent, above the national decline of 7 per cent, new data shows.

The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) skilled vacancies index in May was 35.1 points, 62.6 per cent lower than in May 2008 as compared to the previous month.

Vacancies in May fell in all three occupational groups monitored by the department.

Trade vacancies declined 6.6 per cent, associate professionals fell 4.3 per cent and professionals dropped 8.1 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 20 per cent.

All states and territories experienced decreases in skilled vacancies in May, the largest drop being 11.2 per cent in Western Australia.

Similarly, all states and territories suffered declines in the year to May, also led by WA with a fall of 70.2 per cent.