HSE Job Market Index

Craig Mason • November 17, 2021

HSE job opportunities have risen a massive 48% in the last 12-months, creating some enticing prospects for job-seekers. Employers, on the other-hand, are grappling with people-shortages.

In the October edition of The SafeStep HSE Job Opportunities Index we look at trends in the HSE job market. See the full report below, download a 1-page snapshot or keep reading for more information.

Download a copy of The Safe Step HSE Job Opportunities Index.

The Safe Step HSE Job Opportunities Index

As we approach the closing weeks of 2021, the strength of the employment recovery is clear. SEEK recently reported that national job ad volumes were 63.2% higher than in the same month in 2020 and up 44% compared to 2019. These results have been supported by the RBA.

In its latest Statement on Monetary Policy, the RBA said forward-looking indicators of labour demand point to a strong recovery in the labour market over coming months well into the new year.

This increased demand, in the general employment market is being reflected in The Safe Step HSE Opportunities Index. HSE Job Opportunities are rising as organisations look to take advantage of the upturn in the economy but grabble with crippling shortages of talent which looks set to continue in 2022. This is supported by anecdotal feedback from HSE professionals across many sectors.

HSE Job Opportunities Nationally

In line with the general employment market, HSE job opportunities have risen 41.7% in 12-months and The Safe Step National HSE Job Opportunities Index is currently sitting at a record high of 171.0. This underscores, there is more demand for safety professionals than ever before.

Interestingly, the demand for Safety professionals had recovered to be the same as pre-COVID levels a year ago but has really accelerated as the larger states have come out of lockdown and there has been a surge in confidence in the general economy.

Contract roles now make up 22.5% of all HSE job opportunities. This is a response to companies requiring immediate and additional support to augment existing resources. Pockets of work for unbundled consulting services are expected to continue into 2022 as employers continue to deal with the lingering impacts of the pandemic and return-to-work requirements.

HSE Job Opportunities by State

All the major employing states have experienced an increase in HSE job opportunities compared to the same period 12-months ago.

In WA, which makes up 13.6% of all national HSE opportunities, border closures have created a hot-house environment. Employers are all competing for the same small pool of people. Anecdotal evidence suggest that this competition is driving salary growth.

Not surprisingly, the strongest increased growth has been in the two major states that have been impacted by restrictions. Over the past 12-months, HSE job opportunities in VIC have grown by 64% and in NSW they grew 42.9%.

The states that are more reliant on mining also tended to be less impacted by restrictions internally and whilst have all grown the % of opportunities, not to the same bounce back impact as NSW and VIC.

All states look well-placed to see demand extend into 2022.

HSE Job Opportunities by Industry

All the sectors employing a large number of HSE professionals saw healthy increases in demand compared to the same time in 2020.

The standout performer was Construction although the trend snapshot shows that the sector went through huge fluctuations as restrictions and boarder closures impacted usual market behaviour.

Healthy levels of demand were felt across most sectors with Professional Services (which includes HSE consulting and advisory), demonstrating the most consistent growth through the year as client organisations grabbled with their return-to-work obligations and ensuring all members of staff were safe.

HSE Job Opportunities by Title

Whilst all HSE roles are different from one organisation to another and from sector to sector, the market is dominated by two broad categories being HSE Managers and HSE Advisors which make up 86.4% of all advertised job opportunities.

In line with results for the other index’s, there was a healthy level of increase in demand in these two dominating sectors over the past 12-months, but this growth was also demonstrated in the less populated areas.

With a predicted increase in COVID-related Workers’ Compensation claims in 2022. It is possible that we may see an increased need for specialist support to deal with the nuances of these claims.