JOB vacancies in Australia’s resource industry are now 14.8 per cent higher than a year ago with temporary and contract roles driving much of the increase, according the latest edition of the DFP Mining and Resources Job Index.

Released monthly by DFP Recruitment, the index shows resource job vacancies rose 3.5 per cent in August and national job vacancies are now 11 per cent higher than six months ago.

Key take-outs from the August index are:

• Temporary/contractor job vacancies led the increase again this month, rising 7.6 per cent.
• The permanent job index continues to show tentative signs of recovery up in August by 0.5 per cent and now up by 11.4 per cent than a year ago.
• Western Australia’s improvement continued, up by 5.0 per cent in August and is now up by 16.3 per cent over 12 months, in encouraging news for the west.
• Queensland remains weaker than WA, however there was a 4.0 per cent rise in August.
• Metal ore mining employment proves to be the most consistent industry category performer, rising again by 3.5 per cent and is now up 17.2 per cent over 12 months.
• The oil and gas sector remains depressed and with a 6.3 per cent drop in the quarter and is now down 11.5 per cent over the past 12 months.
• The job market is growing steadily for operational management and trades and operators, both groups up by 15.6 per cent and 25.4 per cent respectively over 12 months.
• The job market for engineers remains very weak and has continued to fall over the past six months.

Click here to download a copy of the August 2016 DFP Mining and Resources Job Index.