Spike in labourer job ads
Amid the discussion over whether housing construction has peaked after recently reaching record levels, labourers appear to be back in vogue.
The Department of Employment’s latest vacancy report shows that job advertisements on the internet for labourers surged 19.5 per cent in September, reversing some the recent weakness but still leaving demand 14.8 per cent down on the year.
Over all, internet job ads rose 4.2 per cent in September to be 4.5 per cent higher over the past 12 months.
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The housing construction boom, particularly in apartments, has not yet peaked according to the Property Council of Australia.
Property Council data shows completions up 19 per cent in the year to June 2015, though this is expected to decline in 2016, lagging falling building approvals data.