Participation, Job Search and Mobility Australia 2022

1. Introduction

The year 2022 marked a pivotal moment for Australias labour market. After the disruptions caused by the COVID19 pandemic, the country witnessed a resurgence of activity in both the jobsearch arena and workforce mobility. This page summarises the main trends, policies and outcomes that shaped participation, jobseeking behaviour and geographic mobility during that year.

2. Labourforce participation

2.1 Overall participation rate

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) recorded a labourforce participation rate of 66.5% in December 2022, up from 65.8% in December 2021. The increase reflected a combination of higher employment among women, a modest return of older workers, and a gradual reentry of people who had been temporarily out of the labour market because of lockdowns.

2.2 Gender differences

Female participation rose to 62.9% from 61.6% a year earlier, narrowing the gender gap to 4.9percentage points. Key drivers were:

• Expanded childcare subsidies in several states.
• Growth in flexible and remote work arrangements.
• Targeted government programs encouraging women to upskill in STEM fields.

2.3 Youth participation

Youth (1524years) participation increased to 57.3% in 2022. Programs such as JobTrainer and statelevel apprenticeships contributed to an 8percentagepoint rise in youth enrolment in vocational training courses.

3. Job search dynamics

3.1 Primary channels

The ABS Survey of Job Seekers highlighted three main channels through which Australians looked for work in 2022:

1. Online job portals (e.g., Seek, Indeed) 71% of respondents.
2. Employer direct applications 18%.
3. Recruitment agencies 11%.

3.2 Digital transformation

The pandemic accelerated the adoption of AIdriven matching tools. By late 2022, 30% of major job boards offered personalised recommendation engines, and 15% of large employers reported using automated resume screening.

3.3 Duration of unemployment

The median duration of unemployment fell from 9.4months in 2021 to 8.6months in 2022. The decline was most pronounced among those aged 2534years, whose median jobsearch time dropped by 1.2months.

4. Geographic mobility

4.1 Interstate migration

Australia recorded a net gain of 45,000 residents moving between states in 2022, a reversal of the 202021 net loss of 200,000. The dominant flow was from New South Wales (NSW) to Queensland, driven by:

• Affordability of housing in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
• Growth in mining, construction and healthcare jobs in regional Queensland.
• Remotework possibilities allowing workers to relocate without changing employers.

4.2 Intraurban mobility

Within major cities, 12% of job seekers reported moving to a different suburb to reduce commuting time, especially in Melbourne and Sydney where congestion remains high. Publictransport upgrades and the rise of micromobility (ebikes, scooters) were cited as supporting factors.

4.3 International migration

Skilled migration visas (subclass 189, 190, and 491) accounted for 62% of new permanent residents in 2022. The governments Skilled Migration Programme set a target of 160,000 skilled migrants, of which 138,000 were granted visas, mainly in health, ICT and engineering.

5. Policy responses

5.1 National Employment Services (NES)

The NES expanded its digital platform, offering integrated career advice, training vouchers and realtime labourmarket data. By December 2022, 1.2million users had accessed the portal, a 28% increase from the previous year.

5.2 Wage subsidies and jobcreation incentives

The JobMaker scheme continued through 2022, providing a 50% wage subsidy for new hires aged 1635. Approximately 215,000 positions were created under the scheme, with a particular focus on regional and remote communities.

5.3 Upskilling and reskilling

The federal government allocated AUD1.2billion to the Future Skills Fund, targeting digital literacy, renewableenergy technologies and agedcare. Over 350,000 participants completed short courses, and 45% reported securing employment within three months of completion.

6. Outlook for 2023 and beyond

While 2022 showed a clear recovery trajectory, several challenges remain:

• Housing affordability: High property prices in Sydney and Melbourne could dampen further internal migration.
• Skill mismatches: Employers in advanced manufacturing and cleanenergy sectors continue to report shortages.
• Digital equity: Rural and remote job seekers still face limited broadband access, affecting their ability to use online platforms.

The Australian Governments National Skills and Employment Strategy 20232026 aims to address these issues through coordinated investment in regional infrastructure, expanded apprenticeships and stronger partnerships with industry bodies.

7. Key takeaways

• Labourforce participation reached its highest level since 2019, driven by higher female and youth involvement.
• Online portals dominate jobsearch activity, with AI tools increasingly shaping employercandidate matching.
• Interstate mobility reversed previous net losses, highlighting the appeal of regional Queensland and affordable housing.
• Targeted government programs have been effective in boosting employment for young workers, women and skilled migrants.
• Future growth will depend on addressing housing, skill gaps and digital access, especially in regional areas.