Australia is facing a severe unemployment crisis, with more than 992,000 people out of work. In Melbourne, hundreds of applicants are queueing for a single job vacancy as the economic downturn continues to bite.
The number of unemployed has risen by over 70,000 in the last quarter alone, leaving many reliant on welfare or savings while they search for work. Few companies are hiring during the recession, and even governments are reluctant to increase their wage bills.
Casual work in hospitality and the gig economy has also evaporated, meaning that for every job advertised, there are dozens if not hundreds of applicants. With unemployment predicted to reach 9% by Christmas, the competition for roles is only set to intensify.
Jobseekers report being discouraged by the sheer number of people applying for the same positions, while employers say they are inundated with applications for any available role. The crisis shows no sign of abating as the economy struggles to recover.
