ANZ-Indeed Australian Job Ads rose 3.2 per cent month on month in February following an upwardly revised 5.2 per cent month on month rise in January. The trend series rose 2.3 per cent month on month in both January and February.
"ANZ-Indeed Australian Job Ads rose 3.2 percent month on month in February, following a strong 5.2 per cent month on month increase in January. This marks the first back-to-back monthly increases since October 2024 and takes the series to its highest level since then," ANZ Economist, Aaron Luk said.
"This pick‑up in Job Ads coincides with the unemployment rate holding at 4.1 per cent in January 2026. Though other aspects of the labour market have eased. The full-time equivalent employment to population ratio remains in the band that has traditionally been consistent with around target inflation and employment growth is running below population growth in annual terms. The participation rate has declined markedly over the past year, which suggests there is some labour supply 'on the sidelines'."
"The New Year has coincided with renewed hiring vigour across the country. In February, Job Ads for nurses rose to its highest level in almost two years, while management opportunities rose to its highest level since September 2023. Retail also rose strongly, as did opportunities in administration.
"Growth in February was broad-based across the mainland states, with Tasmania growing at a slower pace. Job Ads in New South Wales rose the most, followed by Western Australia and Queensland," Indeed Senior Economist, Callam Pickering said.
