Market Updates

February and March 2025: A Time of Opportunity in New Zealand and Australia’s Job Markets

Tate

As February and March approach, job markets in New Zealand and Australia are gearing up for their annual hiring peaks. Historically, these months bring significant opportunities, with various sectors ramping up recruitment to meet business needs for the year ahead.

Why February and March Are Key Months

  1. Historical Hiring Trends: In both countries, February and March traditionally see higher hiring volumes due to companies finalizing budgets and initiating projects after the New Year.
  2. Seasonal Workforce Adjustments: Industries such as construction, education, and healthcare typically ramp up hiring during this period.
  3. Economic and Population Dynamics: Australia’s robust economic growth continues to attract talent from New Zealand, creating gaps in the New Zealand labor market, particularly in highly skilled roles. This broadly impacts both job markets: AUS & NZ.

New Zealand: Sector-Specific Projections

  1. Healthcare & Medical
    • February: 6-8% hiring growth.
    • March: Sustained growth of 4-6%.
    • Driving Factor: Aging population and ongoing healthcare needs.
  2. Professional Services
    • Human Resources & Recruitment: 12-15% growth projected.
    • Consulting & Strategy: 10-12% growth expected.
  3. Construction
    • Modest recovery of 2-3%, with regional areas seeing 6-8% growth in industrial sectors.
    • Infrastructure and residential projects remain key drivers.
  4. Education & Training
    • Projected increase of 3-5% in hiring during March.
  5. Technology and Digital
    • High demand for IT professionals, data scientists, and AI specialists continues to fuel growth.

Australia: Leading the Charge

  1. Healthcare & Social Assistance
    • February and March: 5-7% projected growth.
    • Sector Strength: The largest employment sector in Australia, accounting for 15.6% of the workforce.
  2. Construction
    • Anticipated growth of 3-5%, with regional infrastructure projects leading the way.
  3. Professional Services
    • Demand for technical expertise in engineering, IT, and consulting expected to rise by 4-6%.
  4. Renewable Energy
    • Significant job growth in wind and solar energy projects, reflecting Australia’s green energy initiatives.

Long-Term Projections

  • New Zealand:
    • Healthcare and social assistance: Significant long-term growth due to demographic shifts.
    • Business services, retail, and construction: Adding over 15,000 jobs annually until 2028.
    • Transport and logistics: Strong growth driven by e-commerce, with a projected annual increase of 2.3%.
  • Australia:
    • Professional services and IT: Expected to grow at 5.4% annually.
    • Healthcare: Continuous demand for medical professionals as the population ages.

Cross-Tasman Opportunities

New Zealand faces a talent gap as some of its best workers migrate to Australia in search of higher salaries and greater opportunities. This creates unique opportunities for job seekers in both countries:

  1. For Migrants in New Zealand: Gaps in the labor market provide openings in skilled sectors.
  2. For Local Workers in Australia: Growth in healthcare, construction, and renewable energy creates demand for domestic talent.

Actionable Insights for Job Seekers

  1. Tailor Your Applications: Focus on growing sectors like healthcare, IT, and professional services.
  2. Leverage Networking: Build connections within your target industries to gain an edge in this competitive period.
  3. Stay Updated: Monitor job boards and recruitment trends to identify opportunities early.

Conclusion

February and March represent a pivotal time in the job markets of New Zealand and Australia. For job seekers, this is the time to capitalize on growth in high-demand sectors and take advantage of the unique opportunities brought by economic and demographic shifts. Whether you’re aiming for the healthcare boom or the renewable energy surge, a well-prepared application and proactive approach will help you secure the right role in this dynamic landscape.

Sources for Reference

  1. MBIE Medium-to-Long-Term Employment Outlook
  2. New Zealand Unemployment Trends
  3. RNZ Report on Job Growth Sectors
  4. Seek Employment Reports February/March 2024
  5. JLL Research: APAC Employment Growth

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