Demand for workers picks up a tad

Job advertisements on the internet rose 1.9 per cent in October, but were a slim 2.2 per cent higher over the year.

Job advertisements fell 1.9 per cent in December, after rising for four consecutive months. (AAP)

Demand for workers perked up in October with job advertisements posted on the internet rising 1.9 per cent, which may go some way to lift the recent sluggishness in hirings.

Seven out of the eight occupational groups monitored by the Department of Employment rose in the month, led by a 5.7 per cent jump in ads for machinery operators and drivers.

However, job ads were only 2.2 per cent higher over the year, with a notable 16 per cent slump in firms looking for workers in Western Australia.