Seek data when to apply for jobs per industry 20250130 p5roh3.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Looking for a new job? These are the best and worst months to apply per industry

9News Staff

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The job market is tough but there is good news for those in search of their next role.

Seek has analysed patterns in job ads and applications per ad to find out the best months to apply — and also what months there is greater competition.

According to the company's latest seasonality report, August was the best month for job seekers.

They face less competition as there are more job ads available and fewer applicants vying for the same role.

January is typically the worst month to apply for a role as applications per job ad peak. Similarly, December is not ideal as there are fewer job ads.

Read on to find out what months to apply in, and what months to avoid, by each industry.

Attribution: Nine
Accounting
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Accounting

The accounting industry has the highest number of job ads available in May, according to Seek.

The lowest number of applications per job ad is in April — meaning job seekers have more opportunities and less competition. 

The month when job seekers will find the most competition is March, which has the highest number of applications per job ad.

Attribution: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Education and training
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Education and training

Seek found the education and training industry has the most number of roles available in November.

September sees the lowest number of job applications per job ad.

January is arguably the worst month to apply for a role, when there is the highest number of applications per job ad.

Attribution: Getty
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Administration and office support
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Administration and office support

Seek found there are the most number of jobs available in the administration and office support industry in May.

The lowest number of applications per job ad is in August and the highest number of applications is in December.

Attribution: Getty
Banking and financial services
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Banking and financial services

May is the best month to find a role in the banking and financial services industry as there are the most number of job ads up, Seek said.

September sees the lowest number of job applications per job ad.

Job hunters are competing against the highest number of other applicants in December.

Attribution: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Construction
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Construction

Seek found May is the best month to find a role in the construction industry as there are the most number of roles available.

The lowest number of applications per job ad is in September and the highest number of applications is in January.

Attribution: Getty
Healthcare and medical
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Healthcare and medical

Seek found there are the most number of job ads up for the healthcare and medical industry in August.

The lowest number of applications per job ad is in September and the highest number of applications is in January.

Attribution: Getty
Information and communication technology
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Information and communication technology

Seek found there are the most number of roles available in the information and communication technology industry in May.

The lowest number of applications per job ad is in April and the highest number of applications is in December.

Attribution: Getty
Trades and services
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Trades and services

The trades and services industry has the most jobs available in August, according to Seek.

The lowest number of applications per job ad is in September and the highest number of applications is in December.

Attribution: Louise Kennerley/AFR
Government and defence
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Government and defence

Seek said there are the most number of roles available in the government and defence industry in August.

The lowest number of applications per job ad is in August and the highest number of applications is in December.

Attribution: Supplied/ADF
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