New job ads have plunged 65 per cent compared to the same time last year due to the coronavirus, data from job ads website SEEK showed. Yet new positions have arisen in healthcare, retail (supply chains), manufacturing (food) and more.

Falls were greatest in New South Wales (down 72 per cent) and Victoria (down 67 per cent).

Job ads fell slowly at first in response to the coronavirus outbreak, down 13 per cent in the first week of March, but dropped away steeply in the past two weeks. EMBED: Job ads posted on SEEK each week compared to the first week of 2019

The worst-hit industry was sport and recreation, with new job openings all but disappearing compared with the same time last year. The mining and healthcare industries had the lowest falls.

Even though job ads fell across all industries nationally, there was demand for both skilled and non-skilled workers, in a small number of specific industries and roles. These included:

• Healthcare: Nurses, aged care workers, general medical workers, psychologists, counsellors and social workers are among those who remain in demand.
• Retail: Those critical to the supply chain, such as shelf stackers, delivery drivers, supply chain managers and warehouse supervisors.
• Manufacturing: Some factories require more workers to meet additional demand for household staples.
• Digital specialists: The massive shift to working from home means software developers and cyber security experts are in demand.
• Family support: Nannies and tutors are sought-after, as parents seek additional help with care and education at home.
• Customer support: Call centre operators and managers and customer support staff.
• Mining and resources: Roles such as diesel fitters, auto electricians, truck drivers and machine operators.

The full story from the ABC is here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-09/coronavirus-employment-jobs-advertisements/12134446