SYDNEY, Sept 26 Reuters Job vacancies in Australia fell for a ninth straight quarter in the three months to endAugust with declines spread across most industries as demand for labour cooled.

Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics ABS out on Thursday showed vacancies fell a sharp 5.2 from the previous threemonth period, when they dropped 3.5.

Job openings were down 17.1 from a year earlier at a seasonally adjusted 329,900, the lowest level since August 2021, but still 45 higher than just before the COVID19 pandemic hit.

Vacancies in the private sector slipped 4.9, while those in the public sector dropped 7.5.

Vacancies fell in 11 of 18 industries, with the largest percentage falls in accommodation and food services, and manufacturing.

The drop left vacancies 30 below their peak, with workers per opening rising to 1.9 from 1.7, though that remains below prepandemic levels of 31.

Some of this is due to vacancies being filled at a rapid rate as official figures showed employment rising 143,000 in the three months to August.

The supply of labour has also been greatly boosted by a rush of skilled migrants and foreign students, helping ease what had been a very tight labour market.

Reporting by Wayne Cole; Editing by Sonali Paul

Source Reuters