Chandler Group Report - Australian Bureau of Statistics (abs) Labour Market Report

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Labour Market report completed in 2001-2 is the most recent official government statistics on the sector. While these figures seem old, they are still considered recent enough by researchers to be accepted as current. The ABS usually only conducts Market Reports on a sector once every seven years or so, and therefore the sector is only now due to be reconsidered for updating.

The ABS Employment Services Report is 32 pages long, comprising a few pages of commentary, some pages of tables and appendices. It is available on the ABS website (www.abs.gov.au) by searching for its Index number, 8558.0.

Both business confidence and expectations of growth have risen slightly and are well clear of their historic lows three rounds ago. Business confidence had a small rise of 2 points to 65.5 while members expect next quarter’s business volumes to also rise 5.7% compared with last rounds 5.4%. Expected growth rates are now close to pre-GFC levels.

The number of clients interacted with in the last 3 months has dropped by over 17%. This is the second consecutive quarterly drop. Obviously the marketing effort of members is declining as the economic climate improves.

The labour market is showing signs of tightening. While it is still moderately easy to find appropriate applicants the measure is now trending down steeply and has dropped a further three points to 44. Expect tight labour market conditions again soon!

As the labour market tightens, the proportion of applicants with the right mix of skills remains unchanged but there is easier to find work ready attitudes and capabilities..

Despite increasing business confidence, staff levels continue drop but at a reduced rate from last round. While both turnover and growth have pulled back from their historically high and low levels respectively, members are still shedding staff and not replacing them.

Staff