Human Resources Job Market Report

Human Resources Job Market Report

Exclusive data reveals in demand skills & jobs data

Gain insights into HR job opportunities with The Next Step's comprehensive Human Resources Job Market Report. This exclusive report offers detailed analysis of HR career trends and emerging HR job opportunities across Australia.

Inside this report, you'll discover:

• Which HR disciplines are experiencing the highest demand
• Regional hotspots with changes to hiring activity
• Industry hiring hotspots for HR professionals
• Top Human Resources skills employers need now

Essential insights for employers and professionals

Whether you're hiring HR talent or seeking your next career move, this analysis provides the market intelligence you need to make informed decisions.

The Next Step's HR Job Opportunities Index has carefully tracked HR employment data since 2015, providing job seekers and employers with accurate HR employment trends.

Download The Next Step's Human Resources job market report today for access to insights that will give you a competitive edge.

Australia's HR job market: 2026 Edition #01

Australia’s HR job market continues to be shaped by a mix of confidence and caution. On the one hand, the candidate pool remains tight. Last quarter, unemployment hovered between 4.5% and 4.3%, while job advertisements remained well above pre- pandemic norms.

Meanwhile, the broader economic backdrop is mixed. Consumer sentiment has improved, however inflation edged back above the RBA’s target, fuelling rate uncertainty. Despite this, employers remain committed to securing critical HR hires

This quarter’s Index paints a clear picture of where demand is strengthening and where it’s settling across the country.

• NSW remains the largest geographic hub, rising slightly to account for 27.9% of all advertised vacancies, up from 27.7%.
• QLD strengthened its position, recording 2.1% quarter-on-quarter growth and rising to 23.6% of opportunities. 
• VIC recorded a 14.5% decline this period and now accounts for 19.6% of job opportunities.

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