The Race for Talent
Make sure your business is in the lead for talent!
Some of Tasmania’s most anticipated developments have shifted timelines, with real implications for short- and mid-term hiring.
The planned office tower at Hanging Garden is currently on hold while awaiting pre-commitment from an anchor tenant, delaying construction hiring for the commercial property sector. While the project still holds future potential, employers expecting immediate workforce demand are now in a waiting phase.
At the same time, major long-term infrastructure opportunities offer promising signs. Projects like the Marinus Link and broader renewable energy development around Burnie could deliver significant job opportunities from 2026 onward. Employers who prepare for this future demand will be positioned to benefit when the hiring momentum begins.
Untapped Talent: Skilled Migrants & Diverse Candidates
Another key insight from recent data: Tasmania has untapped workforce potential.
Highly skilled migrants, refugees, and diverse candidates often face unnecessary barriers in recruitment processes. By rethinking traditional hiring practices — adjusting job criteria, recognising international experience, and being open to transferable skills — employers can access a deeper pool of capable people who are currently underutilised.
This shift isn’t just good for inclusion. It’s a smart response to a tight labour market.
What It Means for Employers Right Now
All signs point to one clear reality: quality candidates remain at a premium, and short-term labour market pressures are here to stay.
Here’s what employers need to consider:
- You’re still competing for a very small pool of workers.
Low unemployment and low participation mean limited active candidates — and high competition for them. - Local development doesn’t guarantee immediate hiring.
Some projects are progressing slowly, delaying sector-specific labour demand. - National pressure is influencing the local market.
Australia-wide skill shortages, combined with declining apprenticeship numbers in certain industries, are shaping Tasmania’s talent supply. - Employers need to be smarter and more strategic.
Sourcing talent from new places and building flexibility into roles will be key to keeping candidates engaged.
Where Searson Buck Fits In
In a market where every hire matters, Searson Buck gives employers the competitive edge. With over 35 years supporting Tasmanian businesses and the deepest recruitment networks in the state, we help organisations:
- Source smarter
- Move faster
- Attract better
- Retain longer
Reach out to us today on 1800 151 331
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