The public sector has been voted the most attractive place to work in 2023, representing a shift away from the private sector over the last year.

Government agencies headed by Defence, NSW Health and the Queensland government dominated the list of top ten employers, with high ratings for job security, financial health and career progress, according to employer brand research released by international recruitment and HR agency Randstad.

The research is based on surveys of 163,000 people in 32 markets including almost 6,000 Australians.

 “It’s fantastic to see the public sector has gained overall attractiveness, with no less than four organisations in the top five spots,” Director of Randstad NSW Jo Jakobs said.

However she noted gaps between the top ten sectors are shrinking, indicating increased competition.

Top ten desirable sectors:

1. Public sector
2. Mining and quarrying
3. Transport and logistics
4. Human health and social work activities
5. Retail
6. Education
7. FMCG
8. Arts, entertainment and recreation
9. Insurance
10. Banking and financial services

Top ten desirable employers

1. Federal Department of Defence
2. Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group 
3. NSW Health 
4. QLD Government 
5. Federal Government 
6. Federal Department of Health
7. BHP     
8. Virgin Australia
9. NSW Department of Communities & Justice 
10. Ramsay Health Care

Government agencies accounted for six of the most desirable employers this year, compared to 2022 when private companies took out the top spots.

The Federal Department of Defence, NSW Health, and the QLD and commonwealth governments all rated highly for job security, financial health and career progression.

Meanwhile, the report also suggest that the workforce may be moving from the ‘big resignation’ to the ‘big stay’, with only 16 per cent of Australians changing jobs in the last six months, down from 21 per cent the previous year.

Two in three respondents said it was important for employers to offer upskilling opportunities.

Sixteen per cent said they didn’t have sufficient opportunities to develop in their roles, and almost one in three said they would quit if they had a limited career path.