Fresh insights from the REOS June quarter 2025 data reveal where employers are finding it easiest and hardest to recruit, highlighting key trends across states, territories and industries.
Over the past year, the recruitment rate increased 2 percentage points to 47% of employers in the June quarter 2025. The latest monthly recruitment activity also reached its equal highest level since late 2023, according to the recently released REOS Recruitment Insights Report - July 2025, pointing to stronger employer demand. While staffing expectations remain steady overall, employers in regional areas show slightly more optimism than those in capital cities.
Queensland and Western Australia led the states with the highest recruitment rate at 54%. In contrast, recruitment activity was lowest in Victoria (41%), New South Wales (47%), and South Australia (45%). The Northern Territory recorded the highest recruitment rate of all states and territories, with 65% of employers actively recruiting.
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services industries have been highlighted as more difficult to fill than other industries. Despite ongoing challenges, overall recruitment difficulty eased over the year – down to 49%, with Queensland employers experiencing the lowest hiring difficulty at 44% out of all states.
