The Current HR Market in Australia: Trends, Demand, and Global Impacts on HR for 2024-25

As the Australian employment market navigates significant change, the HR sector has grown increasingly crucial for businesses adapting to shifts in workforce expectations, regulatory standards, and technology advancements.

The demand for skilled HR professionals has seen continuous growth, with 2024 proving especially active. Now, global influences, including the re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. president, are adding layers of complexity, reshaping Australian organisations’ HR strategies and priorities.

2024 HR Market Trends: What’s Busy and Why

1. Demand for Skills Across HR Job Families

• Talent Acquisition and Recruitment: Overall, Talent Acquisition (TA) roles are still at a low point unfortunately however highly sought after in certain sectors such as healthcare, construction, and renewable energy. Skilled recruiters are in demand to drive competitive hiring processes and engage top talent amid a challenging landscape. This is clear in 'talent' short markets like healthcare & construction for example.
• Employee Relations and Compliance: Large organisations are increasingly seeking employee relations specialists to manage hybrid workforces and navigate complex employee needs. Compliance experts have also become essential, with businesses facing evolving regulatory landscapes.
• Learning and Development (L&D): Companies are emphasising upskilling and reskilling initiatives to stay competitive, leading to increased demand for roles in Learning and Development (L&D), particularly in finance, retail, and healthcare sectors.

2. Permanent vs. Contract Hiring Patterns

• Permanent Roles on the Rise: 2024 has seen a notable small increase in permanent HR roles as organisations focus on long-term talent management and strategic stability again.????
• Contract Roles for Flexibility: The demand for contract roles remains volatile, particularly within talent acquisition and employee relations. Contract positions should spike again across government, banking & wider financial services to address project-based needs or support hiring freezes (which we are still seeing globally too)

3. Industry-Specific Demands and Key Brands

• Healthcare and Aged Care: As one of the most rapidly expanding sectors, healthcare organisations, including Ramsay Health Care and Bupa , are actively seeking HR professionals skilled in workforce planning and employee engagement.
• Technology and Start-Ups: Major players like Atlassian , Canva , and smaller start-ups are expanding their HR teams to build inclusive, adaptable workplaces.
• Financial Services: Financial institutions such as Commonwealth Bank and Westpac pac are prioritising roles in compliance, risk management, and employee relations, given new regulatory demands.
• Public Sector: Demand within government departments for HR professionals remains within workforce planning and policy development, essential for handling complex community services. However we are aware government recruitment spend has slowed in this year.

Check out our latest HR Community Podcast episode on workforce solutions with Andrew Lafontaine from Mercer??

????

How the Re-Election of Donald Trump Might Impact Australia’s HR Market

The re-election of Donald Trump could impact the Australian HR landscape in several ways. With potential shifts in U.S. immigration policy, trade dynamics, and global economic strategies, Australian HR leaders may need to adapt quickly

• Talent Acquisition and Mobility: U.S. policy shifts on visas and immigration might restrict talent mobility between the U.S. and other countries. In response, Australian companies may see increased opportunities to attract skilled workers unable to secure U.S. roles. It could also lead to heightened competition within Australia, as businesses adjust to potential talent shortages in areas like technology and healthcare.
• Remote Work Trends and Policy: If U.S.-based companies increase nearshoring and outsourcing to Australia due to economic policies or cost-related adjustments, Australian HR leaders might experience heightened demand for flexible, remote-friendly employment practices to support an influx of remote or contract roles for U.S. clients. It will be interesting to see how this plays out with some of the major Tech brands who are seemingly joining the 'back to the office full-time' party.????
• Labour Costs and Talent Retention: Potential shifts in global trade relations under a Trump administration could indirectly affect labour costs, particularly in Australia’s export-oriented sectors. With increased pressure on budgets, Australian HR professionals may need to focus more on retention strategies and innovative compensation packages to keep top talent engaged. Could it mean industries like manufacturing will increase significantly in Australia, creating demand for HR & TA to drive growth and expansion?

Comparative Analysis: 2022–2024 HR Market Trends

Compared to previous years, 2024 has shown continued demand for HR professionals, with shifts in specific roles:

• 2022-2023: Post-pandemic, there was an intense focus on talent acquisition as companies aimed to fill workforce gaps.
• 2023-2024: While TA remains vital, there’s growing interest in L&D and employee relations roles, signalling an increased focus on retention, internal mobility, and navigating complex compliance issues.
• 2024-2025: Retention is still such a crucial focus for organisations along with reducing cost and restructuring their business to support the future of work demands - we are seeing many HR leaders experiencing burnout and having to wear too many hats. 'Hybrid' style roles are understandable in the current market but not sustainable long term.

Civitas Talent’s Role in Supporting HR & Talent Acquisition Leaders

Civitas Talent, Recruitment, Search and Advisory for the HR & HSE market is proud to sponsor the upcoming HR & TA Leadership Summit with TALiNT Partners in Sydney. This event will bring together top HR leaders to discuss crucial issues such as Talent Attraction & Retention, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Technology & Automation in HR, and Employee Well-being & Mental Health.

For HR & TA leaders interested in staying ahead in a rapidly evolving industry, reach out to the at Civitas Talent to secure your place at the Summit and engage in discussions shaping the future of HR in Australia.

Looking to hire HR talent or secure a new HR role in 2025? Reach out to us for a discovery call in the coming weeks ahead! Civitas Talent is an award winning HR & HSE Recruitment firm. We offer recruitment solutions across the wider People, Culture, Performance & Safety job families - for executive search, permanent recruitment and contract hires.