Australian labour market trends
Insights for SMEs 2026
Understand how tight labour markets, wage pressures, and skills shortages are affecting Australian small businesses and what you can do about it.
No signup required • PDF format
3.5%
unemployment rate
6
key market insights
16
pages of analysis
SMEs
practical focus
Six labour market insights
Our review of Australian labour market data and research highlights these key trends.
Tight labour markets
Unemployment remains near historic lows
Wage pressure
Competition for workers is pushing up wages
Elevated turnover
Workers are more willing to change jobs
Skills shortages
Key roles remain difficult to fill
Competition favours workers
Candidates have more bargaining power
Planning matters
Proactive workforce planning is essential
What you'll learn
This 16-page guide covers Australian labour market trends and their impact on SME workforce planning.
- Current labour supply and unemployment trends
- How hiring conditions affect SMEs
- Wage growth and cost pressures facing businesses
- Which industries face the most severe shortages
- How workforce mobility is changing recruitment
- Regional and industry variations in labour markets
- Practical strategies for competing for talent
- What to expect over the next 12 months
Forces shaping the market
Several major factors are driving current labour market conditions for Australian SMEs.
Low unemployment
Near-record low unemployment means fewer available candidates and more competition between employers.
Wage growth
Award increases and market competition are pushing wages higher across most industries.
Skills mismatch
Demand for certain skills outstrips supply, particularly in trades, healthcare, and technology.
Regional variation
Labour market conditions vary significantly between metropolitan and regional areas.
Trusted australian sources
This guide draws on official data and research from leading Australian institutions.
Is this guide right for you?
SME owners
Business owners who need to understand market conditions affecting hiring and wages.
Managers
Team leaders responsible for recruitment and retention in a competitive market.
HR professionals
HR staff who develop workforce strategies and compensation plans.
Get your free guide today
Research-backed insights to help you navigate the Australian labour market.
Download free e-guideRosterElf's workforce management platform helps Australian businesses navigate tight labour markets with efficient scheduling and cost management. Our HR software simplifies onboarding and employee management, while our platform includes retention features and labour cost analytics built for competitive talent markets.
More free resources
Wage growth and award trends
Free e-guide on wage growth and award rate changes in Australia.
Download e-guideModern awards guide
Free e-guide on understanding modern awards for Australian SMEs.
Download e-guideFree HR templates
Downloadable policies, forms, and templates for Australian workplaces.
Browse templates
Real support from people who understand your business
At RosterElf, support isn't a ticket system — it's part of the product. Our Australian-based team helps you set up correctly, understand award rules, and stay compliant as your business changes. No scripts. No offshore handoffs. Just real help when you need it.
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Guided setup and onboarding
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Award and payroll questions answered
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Ongoing help as your team grows
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Frequently asked questions
- This 16-page guide covers Australian labour market trends affecting SMEs, including unemployment rates, hiring conditions, wage pressures, skills shortages, workforce mobility, and regional variations.
- The guide is designed for Australian SME owners, managers, and HR staff who need to understand how labour market conditions affect their ability to hire, retain, and pay employees.
- Yes, the guide is completely free. No signup or email address is required. Simply click the download button to get instant access to the PDF.