Unskilled workers fight for few jobs

MORE than 100 job seekers are competing for every lowskilled job vacancy across Australia, new research shows.

The situation is toughest in Tasmania, where 20 unemployed people are vying for each available job.

South Australia follows with 10 job seekers for every entry-level job, excluding people with experience.

The latest Jobs Availability Snapshot from Anglicare Australia shows more people with barriers to work such as age, education and disabilities are competing for fewer jobs, executive director Kasy Chambers says.

“There aren’t enough jobs at their skill level to meet demand in any part of the country,” Ms Chambers said.

“In total, there are a staggering 106 jobseekers for each entry-level job.”

Figures in the report show there were 13,606 entry-level jobs advertised in May but 1,442,760 people using the federal government’s Jobactive program.

In 2019, there were six lowskilled workers nationwide vying for every low-skilled job, compared to eight this year.

Ms Chambers said many hunting for work in areas including hospitality, retail, cleaning, sales and labouring were older people.

“If we’re serious about helping people we need to create jobs that match their skills, instead of forcing them to compete for jobs that just aren’t there,” she said.

New unemployment figures are due to be released on Thursday. The jobless rate fell to 6.8 per cent in August but is expected to peak around December.

Council on the Ageing chief executive Ian Yates said older Australians were facing “disastrous personal circumstances”, if they were forced to spend savings they would need in retirement.