In Australia’s dynamic labour market, high-volume recruitment has become a critical challenge for many employers. Whether it’s scaling up for major infrastructure projects or addressing workforce strategy, more organisations are seeking efficient recruitment solutions. This article delves into the current trends, challenges, and strategies in high-volume recruitment across Australia.
The Current Landscape
Recent data indicates that recruitment difficulties persist across various sectors. As of October 2024, 52% of recruiting employers reported challenges in filling positions, a figure that, while improved from the peak of 75% in July 2022, still underscores significant hiring hurdles .
Key Challenges for employers
- Skill Shortages: Employers recruiting for higher-skilled positions (Skill Levels 1–3) experience greater difficulty, with 66% reporting challenges, compared to 41% for lower-skilled roles.
- Geographical Disparities: Recruitment difficulty is notably higher in Rest of State areas, with 57% of employers facing challenges, compared to 52% in capital cities.
- Small Business Struggles: Smaller businesses (5–19 employees) report greater recruitment difficulty (56%) than larger businesses (20+ employees) at 48% .
Strategies for Success
To address these challenges, many organizations are turning to Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO). This approach allows companies to scale their recruitment efforts efficiently, leveraging external expertise to manage the end-to-end hiring process. In fact, 55% of HR decision-makers are considering RPO in 2025, recognizing its potential to streamline high-volume hiring .
Barriers to Avoid in High-Volume Recruitment
Even with the best intentions, high-volume recruitment efforts can fall short without the right planning and expertise. Here are some of the most common barriers Australian employers face — and how to avoid them:
1. Underestimating the time and resources required
High-volume recruitment isn’t just hiring at scale — it’s managing multiple roles, interviews, and onboarding processes simultaneously. Without dedicated systems and staff, it can overwhelm internal teams and delay timelines.
Avoid by: Partnering with specialists who already have scalable systems, candidate pipelines, and dedicated teams in place.
2. Relying too heavily on local talent
In a tight labour market, only focusing on local candidates can significantly limit options — especially for niche or in-demand roles.
Avoid by: Expanding your reach internationally, particularly for roles where shortages are most acute (e.g., healthcare, construction, logistics). We help Australian employers access pre-screened, job-ready candidates overseas — many already eligible for visas.
3. Inadequate screening and compliance
Hiring quickly should never come at the cost of quality or compliance. Missteps with visa eligibility, credential checks, or employment conditions can create risk and cost time and money to fix.
Avoid by: Ensuring recruitment partners are across Australian employment law, immigration regulations, and ethical standards. We handle immigration and compliance in-house, with OMARA-registered agents.
4. Poor candidate experience
When hiring in volume, it’s easy for communication to slip. Delays, unclear expectations, or impersonal processes can lead to drop-offs — especially in competitive sectors.
Avoid by: Streamlining your process and offering a clear, supported journey for every candidate. We manage relocation and communication end-to-end so candidates feel valued and ready to start.
Our Approach
At Working In, we specialise in high-volume recruitment solutions tailored to the Australian market. Our integrated services include international talent sourcing, screening and testing, immigration and visa assistance, and relocation support. We are dedicated to providing a seamless experience for both employers and candidates.
With a team of experienced Registered Migration Agents and Recruitment Specialists we manage the entire process under one roof, delivering ethical and transparent solutions to help your business succeed.
Summary
High-volume recruitment in Australia presents unique challenges, but with the right strategies and partners, organisations can overcome these hurdles effectively.
We’re here to chat if you need help getting started or simply have questions about how we work.
