This week we unpack a resilient but fragile labour market as unemployment holds at 4.3% with a shift back to full-time jobs while economists warn the real impact of global shocks is still to come. We dive into mixed results from major recruiters like Hays, PageGroup and Robert Walters, revealing ongoing pressure across the sector despite pockets of growth. We also look ahead to the industry’s big night out at the RCSA Rec Gala, question the loss of independence as Sourcr is absorbed into SEEK, and examine a serious legal case brought by the Fair Work Ombudsman over alleged exploitation of a migrant worker a stark reminder of the compliance risks facing employers today.

Episode 157 - How do you entice a candidate to a new job in this uncertain economy?

RNA episode 156 has news for 14 April 2026, including the sad passing of an industry legend, a brand refresh for Six Degrees, news of the US job market and BHP's Same Job Same Pay ruling that will change the landscape of labour hire forever.  Question of the Week is, "Is old school recruiting becoming new school?

Episode 156 - Is old school recruiting becoming new school?

Episode 155 - News includes Christy Moses stepping into the CEO role at Miller Leith, with Stephen Borg, Joe Sette, and Jarrad Dowling all part of a broader leadership transition. We also looked at new data from GCheck showing just how widespread candidate exaggeration and AI-assisted deception have become in hiring, before unpacking the controversy around the Canberra Institute of Technology CEO appointment involving Margot McNeill  and Executive Intelligence Group. We discuss to opportunities regional recruitment provides to the sector.

Episode 155 - Is regional recruitment the next growth area for recruitment agencies?

News this week:

 * Australia’s hiring market remains active with rising recruitment and easing difficulty, but declining job ads and softer forward confidence signal growing caution.
 * The Coalition is proposing tougher migration and visa rules, reflecting shifting political pressure and a harder stance on population growth.
 * A global report links hundreds of major companies to alleged migrant worker abuse, highlighting urgent calls for supply chain transparency and accountability.
 * Global hiring intentions have surged to a four-year high, led by strong momentum across Asia-Pacific, including solid demand in Australia.
 * SEEK data shows Australian job ads continue to fall amid broad caution, while New Zealand’s market rebounds sharply and AI is not yet a major drag on hiring

Episode 154 - Are university degrees becoming less important in white-collar hiring?

RNA episode 153 has news for 24 March featuring Quest Personnel entering administration, the ABS reporting a surprise jump in unemployment, to the NSW Government turning back to recruiters, growing scrutiny of AI screening tools, and a regulatory crackdown on sham contracting. Question of the Week is "Should Ai recruiter bots have a human face?"

Episode 153 - Should AI recruiter bots have a human face?

Episode 152 has news for 17 March 2026 features labour hire scandals to leadership blind spots and changing work patterns. Coles Group is under scrutiny over whether it should have known a labour hire firm was underpaying security guards, new research from Robert Walters reveals a striking perception gap between men and women on leadership inequality, and fresh data from the ABS shows nearly a million Australians are now juggling multiple jobs — suggesting the way people work is quietly shifting. We also have the latest financial results from Korn Ferry and Robert Walters. Question of the Week, "is Melbourne the most liveable city in the world?" Two local residents have their say.

Episode 152 - Is Melbourne the most liveable city in the world?

Episode 151 has news for 10 March 2026 featuring results from Hays, Adecco and PageGroup along with the latest Gartner jobseeker survey and the MD of HR Partners resigns.Question of the week is, " Is it fair to ask candidates to access their Chat GPT during an interview? 

Episode 151 - Is it fair to ask candidates to access their Chat GPT during an interview?

Episode 150 has news for 3 March 2026 featuring major leadership changes at Hays and Persol, acquisition activity and financial results across the sector, fresh SEEK market data, regulatory updates as well a a new consultancy Senitel Collective launches in Australia. and Question of the Week, "Are you charging candidates for services?

Episode 150 - Are you charging your candidates for services?

RNA episode 149 includes news for 24 February 2026  featuring the latest on Australia's most controversial recruiter, Luke Hemmings, the likely final instalment in the Employment Hero–Seek saga. Company updates from PeopleIN and The Next Group, along with the latest unemployment data and earnings results from Ignite Limited and Ashley Services Group.

Episode 149 Why is the unemployment rate lying?

RNA episode 148  includes news for 17 February 2026 featuring SEEK's sudden share price drop, Robert Half report that just may show why an increase in overqualified candidates is so significant to our market. Company results Randstad, Recruit, and Will Group and the overlooked consequences of the PALM scheme. Question of the Week is, " What is the hidden cost of advertising a job in 2026?"

Episode 148 - What is the hidden cost of advertising a job in 2026?

This weekly podcast, featuring recruitment industry experts Ross Clennett and Adele Last, covers relevant news and tackles a topical question each week. 

#recruitmentnewsaustralia #rna #recruitmentpodcast

Ross Clennett

Shows