Why Canberra’s Talent Pool is Shrinking — And What Smart Employers Are Doing About It

If you’re trying to hire in Canberra right now and thinking,
“Why are the good candidates ghosting us?”
You’re not alone.
We’re hearing it daily — and the short answer is: the game has changed.

There are more applications than ever, but let’s be real — most of them aren’t great. Meanwhile, the genuinely good candidates? They’re in high demand, and they know it.

The talent pool is shrinking. Expectations are rising. And if you’re still hiring like it’s 2019 — slow processes, vague job ads, no salary transparency — you’re probably getting left behind.

Let’s break it down:

 

So, Where Did All the Candidates Go?

Honestly? A lot of them left.
Remote work gave people freedom — and many took it. Top-tier professionals who once stayed close to Canberra now work from the coast, Melbourne, or anywhere with decent Wi-Fi and decent coffee.

And it’s not just about leaving. Fewer people are moving in too.

  • The cost of living here has gone up
  • The promise of “Canberra lifestyle” isn’t enough anymore
  • Public sector jobs aren’t the drawcard they used to be

Plus, let’s not ignore the elephant in the room — some parts of the APS are growing, others are on hiring pauses. It’s messy. Candidates are more cautious, more selective, and honestly, more empowered.

 

What’s Not Working Anymore

Here’s the hard truth:
A lot of Canberra employers are still hiring like its business as usual. It’s not.

Here’s what’s hurting you:

  • Too many steps between “we like them” and “let’s offer”
  • No flexibility — or worse, pretending to have flexibility (candidates can spot it a mile off)
  • Generic job ads that read like every other one on SEEK
  • No clear reason to choose you over the next guy

If your brand doesn’t tell a story — and your process doesn’t respect people’s time — they’ll move on.

 

The Budget Blind Spot

Here’s a tough pill to swallow:
You can’t hire high-impact people on a shoestring.

We’re seeing it more and more — employers who want experienced, driven, culture-aligned candidates…
but only want to pay entry-level rates.

Or they skip the experienced applicants altogether, go for the cheapest option, and act surprised when it doesn’t work out.

If your budget doesn’t stack up to the talent you’re chasing, you’re not just behind — you’re out of the running. And no, you’re not competing on a different level; you’re playing a different game altogether.

So, if the salary is set in stone, shift the conversation. What sets you apart? What’s your unique value proposition? Find it — and lead with it. Because if you’re not selling your opportunity, someone else is.

Candidates know their worth. They’re not scrambling for offers — they’re selecting from a shortlist. Yours is just one of them. So understand who you’re up against — and it’s not just the companies that do what you do.

In today’s market, your real competition could be anywhere.

 

What the Smart Ones Are Doing

We’ve seen the employers who are still attracting great people. They’re not louder — they’re sharper.

They’re doing things like:

  • Speeding things up. Candidates get answers fast. Not in two weeks.
  • Offering actual flexibility.  Management on outcomes, not contact hours.
  • Tightening their job briefs. They know what they want, and they communicate it well.
  • Working with recruiters who know the market. Not just resume-matchers — actual strategic partners (yes, like us).

 

So, What Now?

If you’re hiring in Canberra, you’ve got two choices:
Keep doing what you’ve always done and hope for the best —
or take a real look at what you’re offering and how you’re going to market.

Because here’s the thing:
The talent’s still out there — but they’re not waiting around.

The market’s moved. If you’re not willing to invest in great people, don’t be surprised when you get average results.

At Elliott Gray, we help you move fast, cut through the noise, and hire the right people for the right reasons.

But let’s be clear — we’re not the kind of recruiters who just tell you what you want to hear. We’ll give you the real, sometimes hard truths. Why? Because we’ve been in your shoes.

We’re business owners too, and we’ve had to face those same truths ourselves. It’s that experience — and our willingness to have the tough conversations — that helps drive better decisions and better outcomes for our clients.

 

Ready to rethink how you recruit? Let’s talk.