Australian Employment Market Update
Released 14/4/25
With the federal election set for Saturday, 3 May, the Australian Government has now entered its official caretaker period—a time of paused decision-making, restricted public sector activity, and a general “wait and see” mood across many industries. But what does this mean for you as a job seeker?
🔒 1. A Temporary Slowdown in Government Hiring
During the caretaker period, federal and state government departments typically pause recruitment, delay interviews, or avoid making new appointments unless absolutely essential.
If you’ve applied for a public sector role, don’t be surprised if there’s a delay in communication or updates until after the election.
What you can do:
✔️ Keep your application active and follow up in mid-May.
✔️ In the meantime, explore temporary or contract roles to stay engaged in the workforce.
🧭 2. Cautious Hiring in Government-Linked Industries
If you’re in industries like infrastructure, education, aged care, or consulting, many employers with government clients may hold off on new hires until they know which policies will shape their sector post-election.
What you can do:
✔️ Focus your job search on businesses in the private sector that aren’t reliant on government contracts.
✔️ Use this time to upskill, update your LinkedIn profile, or refresh your resume.
🛠️ 3. Delays in Workforce Australia and Government Support Programs
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has indicated they will only communicate operational or urgent updates during this period. That means job seekers relying on programs like wage subsidies or training support may see slower processing times.
What you can do:
✔️ Check business.gov.au or Workforce Australia after the election for program updates.
✔️ Speak with your recruitment consultant to explore opportunities not dependent on government funding.
🔐 4. Be Wary of Scams
Election periods are ripe for phishing emails and job-related scams. Fake job ads, suspicious links, or messages claiming to be from government agencies may increase.
💡 Final Thought: Stay Patient, Stay Proactive
This is a short-term pause, not a market crash. Many industries will return to full hiring activity soon after the election.
Emerging roles in the Australian job market.
As the job market evolves, new roles are emerging to meet the demands of an advancing economy.
Recently, MACRO Recruitment has noted the identification of 37 such roles that are reshaping Australia’s employment landscape. From energy brokers to genetic counsellors and molecular biologists, these positions represent some of the most exciting opportunities in today’s job market.
Emerging roles are identified based on recent job market data, focusing on new or rapidly growing positions. These are roles that have only appeared in recent years or are expanding from a small base, capturing the ongoing shifts in skills requirements and employment trends.
The 37 identified roles fall into four main themes, each reflecting the direction of Australia’s economy and societal needs:
Health, Care, and Medical – With 13 roles, this category includes positions like community mental health workers, allied health assistants, lifestyle assistants, and genetic counsellors. These roles highlight an increasing focus on holistic and preventive health services.
Data and Technologies – This category introduces 10 roles such as machine learning engineers, blockchain engineers, and remote sensing specialists. These roles emphasize the growing importance of digital transformation and data-driven decision-making across industries.
Net Zero – Sustainability-driven positions, including electric vehicle technicians, battery design specialists, recycling coordinators, and energy brokers, are shaping this category. With nine roles, it reflects the drive towards a sustainable future.
Science and Engineering – Five key roles, including reliability engineers, molecular biologists, and bioinformaticians, mark this theme. These roles are crucial in supporting innovation and scientific advancement.
Emerging roles help shape a broader understanding of evolving skill requirements in the Australian workforce, reflecting economic and technological advancements.
By keeping track of these shifts and analyzing required skills, MACRO Recruitment is committed to supporting Australia’s adaptation to the changing employment landscape. The aim is to work alongside education and training systems, ensuring talent is equipped with the necessary skills to meet market demand and drive Australia’s progress.
The future of work is unfolding, and these emerging roles will play a significant part in shaping Australia’s job market for years to come.
AI Trends
Key Take Aways:
* AI is set to shape recruitment practices significantly in 2025.
* Growing importance of the employee value proposition (EVP) in the hiring process
* Leadership is the most valued skill set
The initial excitement around AI’s potential to streamline hiring and reduce costs led many organizations to quickly adopt these tools, expecting immediate results. However, as the technology became more embedded in recruiting processes, it became clear that AI is not the “quick fix” many had anticipated.
Despite some hurdles, the a recent report highlights AI’s continued importance in talent acquisition and management, with companies focused on questions such as:
- Which AI tools offer reliable accuracy?
- How should success be measured?
- How can algorithmic bias be mitigated?
- What is the right investment level in AI technology that’s still evolving?
Skills sought
A key trend identified in the report is a sharpened focus on critical skills.
Nearly 24% of respondents consider finding the right skills to be their primary challenge for 2025, with leadership (69%), technical (59%), communication (58%), and problem-solving skills (58%) among the most valued.
Additionally, 31% of respondents expect talent acquisition to align more closely with business transformation goals over the next five years, integrating more closely with overall talent management strategies.
The report also underscores the growing importance of the employee value proposition (EVP) in the hiring process. As candidates increasingly research prospective employers and seek alignment with company culture, 45% of talent professionals view cultural integration as essential for attracting talent in 2025. Tailored EVPs—designed for specific talent groups based on location, generation, or personal interests—are found to improve recruitment outcomes.
What to Watch in the Coming Months
While the survey shows some stabilizing trends, both groups should prepare for potential headwinds like supply chain disruptions or tighter consumer spending. Weak forward orders and rising costs suggest the recovery could still be fragile.