According to the February 2025 Recruitment Insights Report by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), hiring activity in Australia has returned to pre-2024 levels, which is promising news for skilled professionals looking to relocate to the country.
After a seasonal decline in January, recruitment activity surged by 49% in February 2025, aligning with the same period last year. This indicates a strong rebound in Australia’s labor market, with especially high hiring rates in regional areas, which reached 55%.
This trend suggests that employers in rural and suburban regions are hiring more than those in major cities, offering faster job opportunities and potential migration benefits, particularly for those applying under regional visa categories.
For the first time since February 2021, employers are finding it easier to fill job roles. The recruitment difficulty rate dropped significantly to 43%, which is a sharp decrease from previous years. This indicates lower competition for jobs, faster processing times, and an increased openness from employers to consider international candidates with the right skills.
Additionally, the speed at which vacancies are being filled has increased. Only 36% of employers reported being unable to fill a vacancy within a month, a record low, compared to 54% a year ago. This improvement in hiring efficiency makes it an excellent time for skilled workers planning to apply for employer-sponsored visas, as companies are prepared to hire quickly.
Interestingly, the majority of hiring is focused on replacing former employees, with 60% of recruitment attributed to staff turnover, while 28% is due to newly created positions. This means most job opportunities stem from filling essential roles, many of which are on Australia’s Skill Shortage Lists.
However, only 20% of employers expect to increase their workforce in the next three months, down from 26% last year. While this indicates that workforce expansion is slowing, it does not mean job opportunities are scarce. Instead, it reflects a stable labor market with a focus on addressing ongoing skill shortages rather than rapid growth.
The report also highlights that recruitment rates in regional areas are higher, although these areas face more challenges in filling positions compared to capital cities. This makes regional Australia an attractive destination for skilled migrants who are willing to work outside major urban centers.
For international workers, the current hiring environment presents a favorable opportunity. Job availability is high, hiring cycles are shorter, and regional areas are leading the way in terms of recruitment. There continues to be strong demand for professionals in trades, healthcare, engineering, IT, and construction—fields that are listed on the government’s Skilled Occupation Lists. Employer-sponsored visas and regional migration pathways remain relevant options for global talent.
If you are considering migrating to Australia, now is an ideal time to look for job opportunities through platforms like Seek, Workforce Australia, and LinkedIn. Tailoring your resume to Australian standards and focusing on roles in regional areas can increase your chances of securing employment. Additionally, exploring employer-sponsored visa pathways, such as subclasses 482 and 186, and regional skilled migration visas like subclass 491, could open up more avenues for migration.
The next update, the March 2025 Recruitment Insights Report, is expected to be released on April 15, 2025, offering further insights into emerging trends in the Australian labor market for skilled workers.
