Candidate Priorities: Corporate services candidates continue to prioritise work-life balance, job stability, hybrid working, and values alignment. Those currently employed are becoming more selective in their job search, often waiting for the right cultural and professional fit.
Shifting Preferences: Candidates from industrial sectors are increasingly exploring how their skills can translate into new environments. With strengths in operations, compliance, and stakeholder engagement, they’re well positioned to move into sectors like government, community services, or corporate roles. It’s less about leaving an industry behind and more about expanding possibilities.
Client Hiring Trends: Clients are placing less emphasis on ticking every technical box and are instead focusing on culture fit, commercial acumen, and leadership potential. They’re looking for candidates who are adaptable, forward-thinking, and eager to grow within the business.
In-Demand Roles: Roles in high demand include finance business partners, project administrators, payroll professionals, HR advisors, and accounts officers. Executive assistant and project coordinator roles remain strong, while HR hiring has seen a decline due to restructuring and outsourcing trends.
Legislative Changes: Recent changes impacting the sector include new sexual harassment leave entitlements and the introduction of the right to disconnect. There is also growing candidate expectation around the availability of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and broader workplace support.
Outlook for the Next 12 Months: Market confidence is improving with falling inflation and interest rates. Growth is anticipated across finance, legal, and corporate support roles, particularly in temporary and contract positions. AI literacy and systems experience, such as Power BI and SAP, will continue to shape hiring trends in the year ahead.