If it wasn't already obvious, now is a very bad time to look for a new job.

The coronavirus pandemic has led advertisements for new jobs to plunge 65 per cent compared with the same time last year, data from job ads website SEEK showed.

Falls were greatest in New South Wales (down 72 per cent) and Victoria (down 67 per cent).

Job ads fell slowly at first in response to the coronavirus outbreak, down 13 per cent in the first week of March, but dropped away steeply in the past two weeks.

Sport, the arts and media are hit hardest

The worst-hit industry was sport and recreation, with new job openings all but disappearing compared with the same time last year.

The mining and healthcare industries had the lowest falls.

But in a handful of sectors, workers are in demand

Kendra Banks, who runs SEEK in Australia and New Zealand, said that even though job ads fell across all industries nationally, there was an urgent demand for both skilled and non-skilled workers in a small number of specific industries and roles. These included:

Healthcare : Nurses, aged care workers, general medical workers, psychologists, counsellors and social workers are among those who remain in demand.

: Nurses, aged care workers, general medical workers, psychologists, counsellors and social workers are among those who remain in demand. Retail : Those critical to the supply chain, such as shelf stackers, delivery drivers, supply chain managers and warehouse supervisors.

: Those critical to the supply chain, such as shelf stackers, delivery drivers, supply chain managers and warehouse supervisors. Manufacturing : Some factories require more workers to meet additional demand for household staples.

: Some factories require more workers to meet additional demand for household staples. Digital specialists : The massive shift to working from home means software developers and cyber security experts are in demand.

: The massive shift to working from home means software developers and cyber security experts are in demand. Family support : Nannies and tutors are sought-after, as parents seek additional help with care and education at home.

: Nannies and tutors are sought-after, as parents seek additional help with care and education at home. Customer support : Call centre operators and managers and customer support staff.

: Call centre operators and managers and customer support staff. Mining and resources: Roles such as diesel fitters, auto electricians, truck drivers and machine operators.

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