More jobs are being advertised to workers in the ACT, but the number of new positions available are still well below pre-COVID levels, a new report has found.
Data from employment website Seek for September revealed new job ads in the national capital increased by 2.8 per cent compared to the month before.
Despite the rise, the number of jobs being advertised compared to September 2019 is down by more than 20 per cent.
Only NSW and Victoria recorded steeper declines in the number of new job ads during the past year.
Nationally, there was a 9.2 per cent increase in new job ads between August and September 2020.
The ACT had the lowest monthly rise for new jobs listings out of any state or territory, while Victoria had the highest increase of 12.9 per cent.
Each jurisdiction registered a rise in the number of new job ads for the month of September.
Seek managing director Kendra Banks said while jobs postings were on the rise in Canberra, it was well behind on levels seen last year.
"NSW and Victoria are joined by the ACT as states and territories that have the furthest to go to reach pre-COVID levels," Ms Banks said.
"The extended period of restriction is obviously having an impact on Victoria, whereas NSW and the ACT are being driven by the influence of professional services roles.
"This was a sector hit hard over the last six months and is taking longer to recover, with those roles down 26.2 per cent for the ACT and 38.2 per cent for NSW year-on-year."
During September, jobs in the hospitality and tourism sector led the charge in the biggest increase in listings, along with trades and services as well as sales.
"This is particularly pleasing as we know this industry has been impacted heavily over the course of the year," Ms Banks said.
"Its recovery is closely linked to the easing of restrictions and we are also starting to see businesses prepare for the summer and Christmas holiday period by beginning seasonal hiring.
In one month, job postings for hospitality and tourism increased by 41 per cent, while sales ads were up 24 per cent.
The employment website said the increase in sales listings could be due to increasing levels of business confidence as the overall economic view strengthens.
The only sectors listed on Seek that went backwards for new job ads were real estate, banking and financial services and insurance.
Ms Banks said there was increasing optimism of a further increase in the number of job postings as coronavirus restrictions ease.
"With last week's federal budget including a focus on jobs and employment, together with the potential easing of restrictions in Victoria, we will be watching with interest to see if this positive trend continues."
