Human Resources Job Market Report
Page Published Date:
May 14, 2026
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.
Get the Second 2026 Edition of our HR report
Australia's HR job market: 2026 Edition #02
Australia's HR job market has entered 2026 with renewed momentum. The Next Step HR Job Opportunities Index rose 12% quarter-on-quarter in the three months to February 2026, now sitting at 159.1 — up 11.6% year-on-year. Employers are navigating a complex backdrop of cautious consumer sentiment, cost pressures, and fluctuating interest rates, yet demand for HR talent remains resilient.
The broader economic environment is being closely watched by both candidates and organisations. Despite uncertainty, HR leaders consistently report that the capability to attract, develop and retain the right people remains non-negotiable — and hiring activity reflects exactly that.
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 to 29.6% of all advertised vacancies, up from 28.3% last quarter — driven by the concentration of strategic and leadership HR roles in the state.
- QLD held its position as the second-largest market, recording 7.5% quarter-on-quarter index growth, though its national share eased slightly to 22.6% as other states grew more rapidly.
- VIC delivered the standout state result of the quarter, surging 25.0% quarter-on-quarter and lifting its share from 19.3% to 21.5% — its strongest quarterly recovery in some time.
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