Are Offshore Applicants Flooding Seek Australia?

If you’ve applied for a job or posted one on Seek Australia lately, you may have noticed a surge in competition. Some employers report being inundated with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of applications, many of which are coming from offshore “virtual” applicants with no Australian working rights.

So, is Seek being flooded with international job seekers, and what does that mean for local candidates and employers?

A Growing Wave of Offshore Applications

Anecdotal evidence from Australian hiring managers suggests a clear trend: overseas applicants are increasingly targeting local jobs advertised online. On forums like Reddit, employers share stories of being overwhelmed:

• “More than 50 percent of the applicants were not living in Australia… It is such a headache for us as we received hundreds of applications.”

• “One job had over 8,000 applicants… Are these bots?”

These comments reflect frustration among recruiters and small businesses, many of whom are spending extra time filtering through unsuitable applications.

Why the Increase?

Several factors are driving this surge:

• Globalisation of work – Remote and hybrid roles have made Australian listings visible to a global audience.

• Offshoring trends: More than 20,000 Australian jobs were shifted offshore in 2024 alone, particularly in finance and telecoms. This has increased awareness of Australian opportunities among overseas talent pools.

• Economic pressures: Workers in lower-cost economies are increasingly seeking overseas roles, even if relocation or visa sponsorship is unlikely.

What It Means for Employers

For employers, especially small businesses, the influx can feel overwhelming. Even with Seek’s screening tools (like mandatory working rights questions), many overseas applicants still apply. This creates extra admin, slows down recruitment, and increases the risk of missing qualified local candidates.

However, employers can protect themselves by:

• Setting clear application filters (requiring Australian working rights upfront).

• Using targeted job ads and niche industry platforms to attract local talent.

• Considering offshore workers only for roles that are truly remote and cost-effective to outsource.

What It Means for Australian Job Seekers

For local applicants, this surge means more competition—even if many competitors aren’t actually eligible to work in Australia. While this can feel discouraging, it’s important to note that:

• Employers are still prioritising candidates with local working rights, especially for on-site roles.

• The Australian employment market remains relatively stable despite these global pressures.

• Tailoring your resume and cover letter to highlight local experience, cultural fit, and working rights can help you stand out.

Yes, Seek Australia is seeing a noticeable rise in offshore applicants, particularly for roles advertised as remote or flexible. While most employers still hire locally, the sheer volume of international applications is adding strain to the hiring process.

For now, the best defence for employers is clear screening and smart job ad targeting, while local job seekers should continue to position themselves as the most reliable, accessible, and culturally aligned choice.