By Chris Zappone
NEWSPAPER job ads dropped 8.5 per cent last month in Queensland, the largest fall of any state, according to ANZ’s job ads index.
That compared with a national fall of 2 per cent to 9249 positions, seasonally adjusted, the index showed.
When positions advertised on the internet were included, the national tally was up for an eighth month. It rose 2 per cent to 188,614, seasonally adjusted, though the rate of increase was less than the 2.9 per cent rise recorded in November. Internet job ads gained 2.3 per cent for December to 179,365, ANZ said.
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“The impact of heavy rains and the higher Australian dollar on tourism and hospitality in the Queensland economy may be important drivers of Queensland’s sharp 8.5 per cent decline in newspaper job ads,” said ANZ economist Katie Dean.
A stronger dollar makes Australia a more expensive destination for overseas tourists while prompting more Australians to holiday abroad.
The dollar, which has risen above parity with the US dollar in recent weeks, was buying US98.37ยข yesterday.
The currency hit a record this week against the euro, buying 77.36 euro cents.
The increase in total job ads in December suggested demand for staff remained strong in the final months of 2010, Ms Dean said.
”Nevertheless, the slowdown in monthly trend growth in ANZ job advertisements does suggest that business hiring intentions are moderating from the highs of earlier this year,” she said.
”A moderation in labour demand is unsurprising, given the November interest rate rise and the slowdown in Australian economic growth over the second half of 2010.”
The Reserve Bank increased rates for a fourth time in 2010 in November.
Despite the sharp slowdown in Queensland, Australia’s job market has remained a source of strength, as high unemployment persists in the US, Britain and Europe. Australia’s official unemployment stands at 5.2 per cent, driven by strong demand for commodities from Asia.
Official December unemployment data will be released tomorrow, with analysts expecting the figure to fall to 5.1 per cent.
In Victoria, newspaper job ads slipped 2.3 per cent in December to 1866, seasonally adjusted, while in New South Wales they rose 1.3 per cent to 2596.
