New report reveals Australian employers' anticipated hiring challenges this year
A "critical disconnect" between what employers are offering and what employees expect is driving a high rate of declined job offers across Australia over the past year, according to a new report.
Findings from Robert Half show that 88% of employers lost at least one candidate in the past year, with jobseekers most commonly declining offers due to:
- Better offers received from other employers (32%)
- Salary or compensation that is not competitive (31%)
- Lack of flexibility or remote work options/office mandates (29%)
- Role misalignment with skills or career goals (29%)
- Lengthy or impersonal recruitment processes (22%)
- Disconnect between individual purpose or values and company culture (20%)
- Unclear or limited career progression opportunities (21%)
- Concerns about job security or company stability (21%)
"The high rate of declined offers highlights a critical disconnect between what businesses are offering and what candidates expect," said Nicole Gorton, Director at Robert Half.
"Even in an employer-led market, top talent won't hesitate to walk away for opportunities they see as a better fit. Businesses need to think beyond transactional offers and address the full value proposition they present to candidates."
Anticipated recruitment challenges
Losing job candidates to competitors is a challenge that 58% of employers anticipate will continue this year, according to the Robert Half report.
In fact, 97% of surveyed hiring managers are expecting to encounter at least one recruitment challenge that could stall hiring efforts this year.
"While employers have had more control in the 2025 job market, the reality of hiring remains complex and never without its challenges," Gorton said.
The lack of skilled candidates emerged as the top hiring barrier anticipated by employers this year. Others are also expecting the following challenges:
- Meeting candidates' salary expectations (58%)
- Finding candidates who align with company culture (57%)
- Lack of applicants willing to work in the office (55%)
- Hiring quickly enough to reduce the cost of a vacant position (54%)
- Being ghosted by candidates in the recruitment process (52%)
"The volume and variety of hiring obstacles businesses anticipate in 2026 point to a recruitment landscape where friction is increasing, not easing," Gorton said.
"Many companies are discovering that simply having an open role, on its own, isn't a guarantee to secure the right hire."
