In Victoria, growth in the containerised freight sector has continued in line with associated infrastructure developments in this area.

According to Hays recruitment consultancy, opportunities exist in mid-tier logistics companies, which are continuing to find strength in numbers with a noticeable increase in mergers and acquisitions. In Victoria, growth in the containerised freight sector has continued in line with associated infrastructure developments in this area.

Contract logistics and transport recruitment is expected to pick up this quarter. Meanwhile, new opportunities are being created in the senior operational and executive space as more leading logistics groups outsource to third-party providers.

Salaries have been stable over the past quarter, with no noticeable fluctuations. At the entry level, however, a change in employer attitudes has resulted in an increase in flexible salary package offerings to attract the best candidates, promising more adequate compensation in exchange for the best skills.

A persistent shortage of quality mid-level operational candidates in warehousing and transport is attributable to the majority of candidates being in work coupled with an inadequate number of new entrants to the market. Employers are beginning to realise that competitive salaries and better graduate recruitment programs are vital to successful staff attraction.

The market has seen an influx of high quality candidates with no local experience but who come equipped with strong skill sets, degree qualifications, and comparable experience in large overseas organisations. While similarly skilled migrant workers have been embraced in the engineering, manufacturing and operations sectors, the logistics sector has been slow to recognise and tap into this talent pool.