This sector continues to grow, as per usual, and at a rate well ahead of the overall average. Jobs in hospitals continue to grow (4.6%) as the demand for better health care increases. Reflecting the nation’s ageing population, jobs in the residential care sector are also expanding (2.9%). Jobs in Community Services are growing (4.3%) as well, illustrating the tougher economic environment impacting on the community.
Positions for nurses are growing, although shortages are still being reported. Positions for doctors are still on the increase, with rural and regional areas continuing to endure shortages. As an example highlighting the strong growth in this sector, the number of dentists has nearly doubled in the last six years alone.
All states other than SA are experiencing growth, although in that state’s case, this comes after a period of strong growth.
A continuing problem for all states is finding suitable staff, particularly in rural and remote areas. In all states, this sector is a steadily growing share of employment.
Earnings in this sector have been growing moderately (4.3%), but this is slightly higher than the overall average. Salary growth is restricted as a high proportion of staff work in the Government Sector, which limits salary growth.
Even in this sector, the level of vacancies has softened and is 23% off the 2010 peak, but even so vacancies are still quite high by historical standards. With skills shortages still apparent in some areas and a reasonable level of vacancies, the job outlook in this sector remains good. By May 2012, jobs are expected to be growing at an annual rate of 3.2%.