The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) skilled vacancies index in June was 35.5 points, 61.5 per cent lower than in June 2008.

Vacancies in June fell in all three occupational groups monitored by the department.

Trade vacancies declined 2.3 per cent, associate professionals fell 8.9 per cent and professionals dropped 5.2 per cent.

The fall in skilled vacancies was widespread with decreases evident in most professions monitored by the department.

The largest monthly fall was in medical and science technical officers, down 13.6 per cent.

However, vacancies for marketing and advertising professional rose 6.7 per cent, followed by wood trades (up 3.3 per cent), hairdressers (3.1 per cent) and food trades (1.8 per cent).

Most states and territories experienced decreases in skilled vacancies in June, the largest drop being 7.9 per cent in NSW.
However, vacancies in Tasmania rose 3.2 per cent and by 1.9 per cent in the Northern Territory.
But all states and territories suffered declines in the year to June, also led by NSW with a fall of 69.6 per cent.

The department's recently established internet vacancy index fell 3.4 per cent for the month of May to be 50.1 per cent lower than in May 2008.

(From http://www.news.com.au)