More jobs out there

SYDNEY: The number of jobs available in Australia accelerated to a 14-month high in December, while the number of jobs advertised continues to fall, a report shows.

The IPA Monthly Employment report showed nationwide job vacancies increased 6.5 per cent last month, the fastest pace since October 2008. The result also compares with a 3.4 per cent increase in November.

However, the number of jobs advertised fell for the second month in a row to be down 17.8 per cent in December, after falling 23.7 per cent the month before.

"The employment market was in a hole for much of 2009, with April marking the low point," IPA chief executive Rabieh Krayem said yesterday. "Slowly, but doggedly, the market has picked up.

"December 2009 vacancies were around 40 per higher than April 2009, and around 10 per cent higher than December 2008."

The research found that both temporary and permanent job vacancies increased in the month, Krayem said.

"Although we usually expect a jump in temporary vacancies in the month of December, this month's spike was especially pleasing because it was larger than anticipated and spread across several sectors, including retail, finance, transport, logistics and mining."

- AAP