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AI & Machine Learning

Job Ads Rise in Australia and New Zealand After Budget Reset

WireByte Staff · August 5, 2026

Job postings in Australia and New Zealand increased by 19.7% in July, reaching an average of 917 daily postings and a total of 25,031 roles. The rise is attributed to the start of the new financial year, with hiring demand improving across commercial teams. Sales roles accounted for the largest pool of open positions.

Key points

  • Job postings in Australia and New Zealand rose 19.7% in July, reaching 25,031 roles, according to the Pointer Index.
  • The increase is attributed to the start of the new financial year, with businesses releasing headcount budgets.
  • Sales roles accounted for the largest pool of open positions, followed by marketing and account management.
  • Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Auckland recorded significant increases in job postings, ranging from 1.20 to 1.39 times their June volumes.
  • The Pointer Index tracks hiring across sales, marketing, and other go-to-market functions, with AI-related roles also showing sustained interest.

The latest Pointer Index report shows a significant increase in job postings in Australia and New Zealand, with a 19.7% rise in July. This surge is attributed to the start of the new financial year, when businesses typically release headcount budgets. Ricky Pearl, Founder of Pointer Strategy, notes that the increase is broad-based across major cities, with no single market dominating the trend.

The numbers are impressive, with an average of 917 daily job postings and a total of 25,031 roles. Sales roles accounted for the largest pool of open positions, followed by marketing and account management. Other functions, such as presales, customer success, and partnerships, also saw significant increases.

The Pointer Index tracks hiring across sales, marketing, and other go-to-market functions, providing valuable insights into the job market. The report also highlights sustained interest in artificial intelligence, with AI-related roles showing significant growth.

As the job market continues to evolve, businesses and job seekers alike will be keeping a close eye on these trends. The start of the new financial year has brought a welcome boost to hiring demand, and it will be interesting to see how this trend continues in the coming months.

Sources

WireByte Staff — Editorial Team

The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.