The decline was almost five times the previous record monthly fall of 11.3% in January 2009 in the global financial crisis. 

Job ads fell progressively over the month, adding to the evidence the downturn in activity is impacting businesses and the labour market at an unprecedented speed. 

New Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures showed total employee jobs fell 5.5% week on week (w/w) and total employee wages paid fell 5.1% w/w in the week ending 4 April. 

The ABS survey reported 47% of trading businesses made changes to their workforce in the last two weeks of March as a result of COVID-19. 

Department of Social Services data found the total number of jobseekers (receipients of Newstart/JobSeeker and Youth Allowance) had increased by more than 530,000 in the six weeks to 24 April. 

ANZ senior economist Catherine Birch said the economic fallout from the pandemic would continue for some time. 

"Although we think the JobKeeper payment will flatten the peak in the unemployment rate to 9.5% in Q2, there will still be substantial loss of employment, hours worked and household income over the coming months," Ms Birch said. 

ANZ Jobs ads 

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Businesses expect ongoing COVID-19 financial impacts 

An ABS survey found amost three quarters of Australian businesses (72%) reported that reduced cash flow is expected to have an adverse impact on business over the next two months

ABS Head of Industry Statistics John Shepherd said reduced demand for goods and services was expected to impact about seven in ten businesses (69%) over the next two months, while two in five businesses (41%) expect a reduced ability to pay operating expenses.

The survey also found that three in five (61%) businesses had registered or intended to register for the JobKeeper Payment scheme.

“Of those businesses registered or intending to register, 73% expected more than half of their employees to the eligible for the scheme,” Mr Shepherd said.

“The survey also found that of the businesses that did not intend to register for the JobKeeper Payment scheme, 55% reported that it was because the business was not eligible.

"Less than one in ten (7%) reported not registering due to insufficient cash flow to continue paying staff before JobKeeper payments commence.”

The ABS also found more than two in five businesses (44%) reported that the announcement of the JobKeeper Payment scheme influenced their decision to continue to employ staff.

A greater proportion of small (0-19 persons) and medium businesses (20-199 persons) (both 45%), compared to large businesses (200 or more persons employed) (32%), reported that the JobKeeper Payment scheme influenced their decision to continue to employ staff.

Businesses in accommodation and food services were the most likely to report the JobKeeper Payment scheme having influenced their employment decisions (67%).

Three in five businesses (61%) reported having registered or intending to register for the JobKeeper Payment scheme.

Need somewhere to store cash and earn interest? The table below features introductory savings accounts with some of the highest interest rates on the market.

Provider

4001$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
  • No account keeping fees
  • No minimum balance
Disclosure

High Interest Savings Account (<$250k)

  • Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening
  • No account keeping fees
  • No minimum balance
Disclosure
000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • Set up your Pay Cycle and connect your accounts from over 140 financial institutions.
  • Retrace your spending steps into categories with Spending Footprint.
  • No monthly or international fees on any of your transactions.
Disclosure

Save Account

  • Set up your Pay Cycle and connect your accounts from over 140 financial institutions.
  • Retrace your spending steps into categories with Spending Footprint.
  • No monthly or international fees on any of your transactions.
Disclosure
400$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • Special offer: Savings Accelerator (Kick Starter offer).
  • For a limited time, new ING customers can get a bonus 0.70% p.a. on their savings rate on balances of $150,000 up to $500,000 for the first 4 months. T&Cs apply.
  • If your balance is over $500,000 (but less than $5 million) you will earn the ongoing variable rate of 4.7%
Disclosure

Savings Accelerator

  • Special offer: Savings Accelerator (Kick Starter offer).
  • For a limited time, new ING customers can get a bonus 0.70% p.a. on their savings rate on balances of $150,000 up to $500,000 for the first 4 months. T&Cs apply.
  • If your balance is over $500,000 (but less than $5 million) you will earn the ongoing variable rate of 4.7%
Disclosure
4000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • A high-interest online savings account with no monthly fees, easy withdrawals and award-winning digital banking
  • No withdrawal notice periods or interest rate penalties
  • Save up to 10% on eGift cards at over 50 retailers with Macquarie Marketplace
Disclosure

Savings Account

  • A high-interest online savings account with no monthly fees, easy withdrawals and award-winning digital banking
  • No withdrawal notice periods or interest rate penalties
  • Save up to 10% on eGift cards at over 50 retailers with Macquarie Marketplace
Disclosure
010000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
  • Deposit at least $1,000+ each month from an external source
  • Make 5 or more eligible transactions. Grow your savings balance each month
Disclosure

Savings Maximiser

  • Deposit at least $1,000+ each month from an external source
  • Make 5 or more eligible transactions. Grow your savings balance each month
Disclosure
02000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
Disclosure

Online Savings - Premium Saver

    Disclosure
    020000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

    HomeME Savings Account (<$100k)

      02001$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

      Growth Saver

        01000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

        Virgin Money Boost Saver

          01001$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

          Bonus Saver Account

            01000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

            Bonus Saver

              0100$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

              mySaver

                000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                Simple Saver

                  4001$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                  Netsave Account

                    3000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                    Online Savings Account

                      3000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                      HSBC Everyday Savings Account

                        0501$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                        Incentive Saver Account

                          4000.01$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                          Bankwest Easy Saver

                            0502$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                            Bonus Saver

                              0500$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                              Incentive Saver Account

                                Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

                                All products with a link to a product provider’s website have a commercial marketing relationship between us and these providers. These products may appear prominently and first within the search tables regardless of their attributes and may include products marked as promoted, featured or sponsored. The link to a product provider’s website will allow you to get more information or apply for the product. By de-selecting “Show online partners only” additional non-commercialised products may be displayed and re-sorted at the top of the table. For more information on how we’ve selected these “Sponsored”, “Featured” and “Promoted” products, the products we compare, how we make money, and other important information about our service, please click here. Rates correct as of December 4, 2024. View disclaimer.

                                Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning