More than a third of employers plan to increase headcount
Hiring intentions among Australian employers are stronger in the upcoming quarter, with more than a third of businesses expecting to increase their headcount, according to a new report.
The latest ManpowerGroup survey revealed that Australia's Net Employment Outlook (NEO) reached 21% for Q3 – up from 17% in the second quarter and 11% in the first quarter.
The NEO is calculated by subtracting the percentage of employers who are anticipating reductions to staffing levels from those who plan to hire.
In Australia, the report said 36% of employers are expecting an increase in hiring, 15% are anticipating a decrease, while 47% are reporting no changes to their headcount.
Regionally, all Australian hiring managers are expecting an increase in headcount in the third quarter, with the strongest hiring sentiments recorded in Tasmania (28%).
By sector, Information Technology recorded the strongest hiring sentiment with 34%, an 11-percentage-point increase since the last quarter and a 16-percentage-point increase since this time last year.
Australia's overall NEO is nine percentage points higher than this time last year. However, it remains below the global average of 24% and the APAC average of 29%.
Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup Chair & CEO, said the global trade uncertainty has prompted some companies worldwide to pause or slow hiring plans.
"However, this new data shows that, for now, hiring Outlooks have stabilised," Prising said in a statement.
"Employers are moving ahead with Q3 plans focused on attracting specialist skills and investing in AI that enhances human potential. Still, caution remains high—and if conditions become more unsettled, we can expect employers to adapt accordingly."
