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Spotlight articles highlight topical issues and are a more detailed analysis of recruitment using REOS data.
September quarter results
Fewer employers were recruiting in September 2026, but those recruiting were more likely to experience difficulty finding staff.
Key findings:
- Recruitment activity eased: 47% of employers were recruiting, down 3 percentage points over the year.
- Hiring difficulties increased: 45% of recruiting employers reported difficulty finding staff, up 3 percentage points.
- Trades remain challenging to fill: 65% of employers recruiting Technicians and Trades Workers reported difficulty.
- Regional differences persist: 53% of employers in Outer Regional, Remote and Very Remote Australia were recruiting, compared with 45% in major cities. Recruitment difficulty was also higher outside major cities.
- Inner Regional recruitment increased: The share of employers recruiting rose 5 percentage points over the year to 52%.
- Industry results varied: Accommodation and food services had the highest recruitment rate among the industries shown, at 66%. Manufacturing and Construction reported high rates of recruitment difficulty.
- Workforce growth expectations eased: 19% of employers expected to increase staff over the next three months, down 4 percentage points over the year. Only 3% expected to decrease staff.
For more insights, download the spotlight.
Upcoming release:
REOS spotlight - Why aren't employers recruting?
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