Hiring in Melbourne: What Local SMEs Are Struggling With in 2025
Introduction: It’s Tough Out There for Melbourne Employers
If you run a small or medium-sized business in Melbourne right now, you’re not alone in feeling the pinch when it comes to hiring.
From Frankston to Fitzroy, business owners are telling us the same thing:
👉 “We just can’t find the right people.”
👉 “Ads go up… and all we get are time-wasters.”
👉 “Our team’s burning out waiting for help.”
So, what’s going on?
1. Fewer Applicants, More Competition
Across Victoria, job applications have declined steadily. According to Seek’s March 2025 data, industries like admin, trades, and hospitality are seeing 35–45% fewer applicants per job compared to early 2023.
With major employers offering perks, flexibility, and higher wages, small businesses are left competing with fewer resources.
2. Hiring Is Slower Than Ever
When you’re juggling everything—from sales to staffing—hiring easily gets pushed down the to-do list. But every delay increases the chance of missing out on great candidates.
We’re seeing Melbourne-based SMEs wait up to 3 weeks to shortlist applicants—by which time, the good ones are long gone.
3. Generic Job Ads Are Failing
A “copy-paste” ad won’t cut through anymore. The Seek ad pool is oversaturated, and templated job ads get buried quickly.
Melbourne’s job seekers are looking for:
Flexible arrangements
Clear role benefits
Evidence that the employer is serious (not vague)
This is where most DIY recruiters lose traction—before the applications even start coming in.
4. Poor Fit Is a Growing Problem
Even when someone looks good on paper, they may not fit your workplace culture. And with small teams, one wrong hire can throw everything off.
Without screening tailored to your business, you risk hiring someone who meets the criteria—but isn’t the right fit for your team.
So, what can you do?
At Mornington Screening Service, we work with dozens of Melbourne businesses that have been exactly where you are.
We help by:
✅ Writing job ads that attract the right people
✅ Screening applicants with custom-fit questions
✅ Delivering a shortlist within 4 days (plus Zoom snapshot if needed)
✅ Saving you 10–15 hours per hire
✅ Ready to Hire Better in Melbourne?
Don’t waste time on the wrong candidates.
Or call Jacqui or Tracey for a quick, no-pressure chat about your next hire.
