More Applications, Fewer Opportunities: What Australia’s Job Market Looks Like Now

In this article, we will share insights and our career experts' observations on how the Australian employment market has become increasingly competitive, particularly for mid- to senior-level professionals.

According to the latest SEEK Employment Report, job advertisements were 6% lower than a year earlier. At the same time, applications per job ad increased for seven consecutive months and reached their highest level on record.

Our career experts are current in-house recruiters who are seeing the impact firsthand.

There are more applications for each vacancy, stronger candidate pools and more reasonable salary expectations.

So, what has changed?

Four years ago, a vacancy might have attracted 10, 40 or even 60 applications, but recruiters often struggled to find a genuinely suitable candidate among them. When strong candidates did apply, their salary expectations were frequently higher than companies were prepared to pay. Recruiters therefore had to actively headhunt professionals or engage external recruitment providers.

This year, we are seeing the opposite.

For almost every role, there are applicants who fully match both the role requirements and the salary on offer.

This is an important insight for job seekers because it should influence both your job-search strategy and your expectations.

A career transition may take longer than expected because you are competing with candidates who have already performed the same role in a similar environment.

Similarly, changing jobs solely to secure a significant salary increase may be more difficult. You are competing with equally strong candidates who are prepared to accept the salary being offered.

Meeting most of the requirements may no longer be enough to secure an interview, especially for corporate and professional roles.

We are also observing a shift in salary expectations. Mid- to senior-level candidates are generally more realistic: their expectations tend to fall within the advertised range, or they are open to negotiation.

Is this relevant to all industries and role types?

No.

Salary expectations among entry-level candidates appear to be rising. This may reflect the growing cost of living and the higher financial pressures that people face.

For job seekers, the message is clear: your CV must communicate your relevance quickly, your achievements need to be specific, and the roles you target must genuinely match your experience.

The market has changed. Advice from professionals who are currently hiring can help you understand how employers assess candidates today - and where your job-search approach may be holding you back.