Job applications in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom have surged to an all-time high, nearly doubling (42 per cent) in the past year, according to new data from JobAdder. In contrast, job creation declined by 5.4 per cent in Australia in 2024 and 17 per cent in New Zealand, while the UK saw a modest decline of 3.4 per cent, painting a stark picture of a fiercely competitive job market.
The new data, published in JobAdder’s 2025 State of the Market Report, reveals that while some industries are overwhelmed with hundreds of applicants, others struggle to attract talent. Recruitment agencies face the challenge of sifting through an unprecedented volume of applications, with an average of 41 Australian candidates per job in Q4 2024, 43 New Zealand candidates and 17 candidates in the UK.
Despite a slowdown in application growth throughout 2024, year-on-year figures show significant increases. In Australia, the average number of job applications per position rose 44 per cent from 2023 and 167 per cent from 2022. New Zealand saw a 49 per cent year-on-year increase from 2023 and a 261 per cent jump from 2022. In the UK, there has been a significant year-on-year increase of 35 per cent from 2023 and 109 per cent from 2022.
In the UK, the number of job openings per recruitment agency saw a modest recovery, rising by 6.6 per cent from 43.3 in Q4 2023 to 46.2 in Q4 2024. While job creation remains lower than in 2022 and 2023, the decline appears to be stabilising, dropping just 3.4 per cent in 2024 compared to a steeper 13 per cent decline in previous years.
Australia, however, saw a 5.6 per cent decline in jobs per recruitment agency, falling from 55.6 in Q4 2023 to 52.5 in Q4 2024, the lowest point of the year. Although slight job growth was recorded in the first three quarters of 2024, overall job creation remains well below 2022 and 2023 levels, signalling a tightening labour market.
New Zealand experienced the sharpest decline in job creation among the three nations, with a 17 per cent drop in 2024. The number of jobs per recruitment agency also fell significantly, declining 14 per cent from 45.1 in Q4 2023 to 38.7 in Q4 2024, the lowest level in three years.
This disconnect between soaring job applications and declining job availability underscores the mounting challenges in an increasingly competitive labour market.
“This surge in job applications highlights a fundamental shift; recruitment is no longer about attracting candidates, but managing high volumes and identifying quality talent,” said Martin Herbst, CEO of jobadder.com. “Agencies must rethink their hiring strategies to handle this evolving landscape efficiently.”
Interestingly, job application growth appears to have plateaued in 2024, following seasonal trends where Q1 consistently sees a spike as job seekers re-enter that market post-holidays.
“We’re seeing application numbers starting to plateau across Australia and the United Kingdom,” added Herbst. “In Australia, numbers are now approaching previous highs from about five years ago, while the shift in the UK raises questions about the sustainability of the previous growth and whether these markets have reached a point of stabilisation.
“We’re seeing application numbers start to adjust in New Zealand. It will be important to monitor whether this slowdown is part of a broader trend or a temporary fluctuation. The decline in Q4 may signal a shift in candidate behaviour or reflect broader economic conditions influencing hiring and application volumes. If this trend holds, application volumes could stabilise in 2025, easing pressure on recruiters,” Herbst said.
