Wednesday, 21 June 2017

Job vacancies rise to a 5-year high

Jobs rebound

There has been much criticism of the Reserve Bank's apparently lackadaisical approach to monetary policy and the subdued economy in recent times - mainly from people like me, to be fair.

But the RBA must be feeling at least a little vindicated after a spate of improved news about the economy, particularly on the employment front. 

The unemployment rate was reported at a 51-month low this month.

And so it continues today. 

It was reported today that manufacturing employment has expanded by 40,000 over the past year, the strongest growth in a decade.

And the jobs outlook has brightened lately too.

The Department of Employment's job vacancies index was released today, with total seasonally adjusted vacancies rising to 172,403.

That's the highest result monthly since nearly five years ago June 2012.

Since the nadir in September 2013, the index has bounced back by 24.5 per cent.


Increases have been seen across all states and territories lately, but South Australia has been the surprise standout performer.


Low rates just starting to bite a little. Better!