In job hunting website Seek's 'Call Centre & Customer Service' jobs category, applications have increased more than six times since coronavirus restrictions started, compared to the same time period in 2019.

"With geography no longer a barrier, these roles appeal to many people as they can be done from home and usually don’t require a specific qualification," Seek's report said.

Additionally, Seek interviewed 4,800 individuals and found nearly one third (30%) of casual workers and one in five (21%) contractors have been stood down or lost their job since the outbreak of the virus.

One in four are also working fewer hours and 7% have taken a pay cut.

This survey is corroborated by Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data collected from 14 March through 18 April that found 33.4% of jobs were lost in the accommodation and food services sectors. 

Yesterday the ABS also revealed unemployment hit 6.2% nationally in April, and without a fall in the participation rate, that figure would have been 9.6%, with JobKeeper working to keep numbers down.

Wage growth data was also soft for March - before coronavirus lockdowns on 22 March - with just a 0.2% real rise when inflation is taken into account.

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

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
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 $5 million) you will earn the ongoing variable rate of 4.7%
Disclosure
02000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
Disclosure

Online Savings - Premium Saver

    Disclosure
    010000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details
    • Earn up to 5.20% pa by depositing $1,000 in the previous month
    • No account fees
    • Easy access to your money
    Disclosure

    AMP Saver Account

    • Earn up to 5.20% pa by depositing $1,000 in the previous month
    • No account fees
    • Easy access to your money
    Disclosure
    010000$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 $1,000+ each month from an external source
    • Make 5 or more eligible transactions
    • Grow your savings balance each month
    Disclosure
    020000$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

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

                              Save Account

                                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 November 8, 2024. View disclaimer.

                                  Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

                                  Most still 'optimistic' on the jobs front

                                  Seek's survey also found 60% feel optimistic for the future - up from 51% in the two weeks prior.

                                  In the healthcare industry, many are also more satisfied with their jobs, with a practice nurse telling Seek:

                                  “People are coming in and saying, ‘we applaud you, you are the heroes of today’."

                                  “It just feels amazing to be recognised for what we do. It’s reminded me that this profession makes a difference to people’s lives.

                                  “Being able to help people during such a stressful time makes me feel very happy in my job.

                                  “I feel like I am using my skills for a greater purpose.”

                                  Seek put the increase in optimism down to the COVID-19 curve flattening in Australia.