Job losses in the skilled market have slowed, thanks to the effect of the federal government’s fiscal stimulus packages, a new survey has shown.
The Clarius skills index declined by 0.6 per cent in the third quarter to 98.2 points, compared to 98.8 points in the second quarter.
The index is currently at its lowest level since 2001 when it dropped to 97.6 points.
Clarius Group executive manager Kym Quick said the third result provided a good indication that government’s stimulus package was starting to show an impact in the professional jobs market.
“But our feedback is that companies are still cautious,” Quick said on Monday.
“The building and construction industries are not yet seeing a lengthening pipeline of projects becoming available.
“But there are certainly pockets of activity.
“In sectors like health, there is increasing demand.”
The index, which measures underlying demand and supply of skilled labour, showed there was a surplus across 20 skilled occupations of about 45,000 in the September quarter, up from 37,000 in the June quarter.
Overall, there were an estimated 122,100 unemployed professionals, associate professionals and tradespersons, up from 76,800 previously.
Still, a decline in building and construction sector and associated occupation jobs appeared to be bottoming out, Clarius said.
The Clarius index analyses labour demand against supply, using labour force data supplied by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Index readings less than 100 points indicate capacity in the market while readings over 100 points indicate tighter labour market conditions.