Capability Gaps Need More Than Recruitment
Employment grew by 252,000 people over the year to June 2026, yet recruitment difficulty remains significant.
Jobs and Skills Australia reported that 44% of recruiting employers experienced difficulty filling vacancies in June. Its March quarter shortage analysis also found that the national vacancy fill rate had fallen to 68.2%. This tells us that workforce growth does not necessarily resolve shortages in particular occupations, locations or capability areas.
Where an organisation repeatedly struggles to fill the same kind of role, the issue may be broader than recruitment. It may reflect limited succession depth, an unrealistic position design, constrained candidate supply or a capability that is evolving faster than the organisation’s workforce.
The response may require a combination of external recruitment, internal development, succession planning, workforce redesign and flexible engagement models.
A vacancy is an immediate requirement. Capability is a longer-term organisational asset.
The strongest workforce strategies address both.
“Recruitment is only one piece of the workforce planning puzzle.
I often see organisations facing recurring vacancies, not because the recruitment process isn’t working, but because the capability they’re seeking is in short supply or the role has evolved beyond its original scope.
The most successful hiring outcomes come from taking a step back and asking broader questions. Is the position designed appropriately? Are we looking for the right mix of technical skills and transferable capability? Could the work be structured differently, or is there an opportunity to develop talent internally while bringing in targeted expertise?
A vacancy can usually be filled. Building long-term capability requires a more strategic approach that combines recruitment with workforce planning, succession and development.
The organisations that think beyond the immediate hire are often the ones that build the strongest teams over time.”
By Bree Woods, Recruitment Consultant, Eden Ritchie Recruitment
Contact us to see how we can find you the perfect candidate – before someone else finds them first!
