5 signs business confidence is returning, from the talent market

Here are 5 signals worth paying attention to right now

1. Talent acquisition roles are on the rise

When organisations start hiring TA specialists, it’s a sign they’re preparing to grow. Onboarding a recruiter and building their pipeline takes time - so organisations only make this investment when they’re confident about what’s coming. We’re seeing a significant number of live roles across the industry, suggesting the market is gaining confidence. In Melbourne, there are currently over 560 talent acquisition roles live on Seek. 

"If businesses are hiring TA, they are looking to grow. It is a lead indicator - not a lagging one."

 - Lisa Hammond, The Next Step

2. Senior people who have been out of the market are getting placed

In the last 18 months, experienced HR and people & culture professionals have been taking longer to find new roles. We’re now seeing a shift, with organisations investing in leadership capability again. 

3. Consulting firms are hiring again

Advisory and consulting businesses are a good indicator of corporate confidence. Activity in this segment has picked up, with firms now reporting more opportunities than available talent. 

4. Recruitment activity is rebounding

According to KPMG's Australian Labour Market Update (August 2025), the proportion of employers actively recruiting climbed to 47% by mid-2025 - up 7 percentage points from its January trough. Deloitte's Access Economics Employment Forecasts (June 2026) note that conditions in the market sector are showing signs of recovery, with employment growth picking up and vacancy indicators suggesting the trend may continue.

5. The roles being advertised suggest what businesses need next.

Most of the TA roles currently on market are for hands-on recruiters rather than strategists. That’s typical at this stage of a recovery cycle, as businesses need capacity before they build strategy. When we start seeing senior talent and OD leadership roles advertised, we’ll know that organisations are moving from survival mode into growth planning.

"Once businesses are hiring TA, the next wave is HR Business Partners and then senior people & culture leaders. That is usually how the cycle runs."

 — Lisa Hammond, The Next Step

If you want to understand what the market is telling you, whether for your own hiring or your career, we are happy to have that conversation.