Western Australia has led the surge in skilled vacancies in March as the national index rose 2.4 per cent compared to a month earlier, new data shows.
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations skilled vacancies index in March was 46.7 points, 11.8 per cent higher than in March 2008.
This was the first positive annual growth reading in trend terms since February 2007.
The department's internet vacancy index rose 3.7 per cent in the month of February to 69.9 points, but was still 11.3 per cent lower than in February 2009.
Vacancies in March rose in two of the three occupational groups monitored by the department.
Trades were up 3.0 per cent and associate professionals increased 1.8 per cent, but professionals fell by 0.2 per cent.
Increases were recorded in advertised vacancies for 11 of the 18 skilled occupations monitored.
The largest rise was recorded in marketing and advertising, up 13.7 per cent, while the biggest decrease was in health professionals, down 4.4 per cent.
Increases in skilled vacancies were recorded in four states, led by a 6.4 per cent rise in Western Australia.
The largest fall was in Queensland, declining 8.3 per cent.
Most states and territories recorded increases in the year to March, with the Northern Territory leading the way with a 66.7 per cent increase.
Queensland recorded the only fall, down 43.7 per cent.
