Online job ads ease in February

At a time of improving signs in the manufacturing sector, advertising for machinery operators and drivers are a stand-out among occupational groups in demand.

The Department of Employment's latest vacancy report shows online job ads for these jobs grew by 2.5 per cent in February, the only increase among the eight occupational groups it monitors.

Overall jobs ads declined 1.9 per cent in the month, but were still 4.9 per cent higher than a year earlier.