Pressure is being placed on wages in Australia as a result of the country's current low levels of joblessness, it has been suggested.

In a new report, Clarius claimed talent shortages are emerging as a result of high numbers of people in work, potentially jeopardizing future public infrastructure projects, such as those concerning hospitals, mining and highways.

"We are also seeing competition for experienced, skilled workers placing pressure on the corporate sector," Kym Quick, Clarius chief operating officer, remarked.

The company's Skills Index increased year-on-year over the third quarter of 2010 from 98.3 points to 100.6 points.

Ms Quick explained that the Australian labor market, which totals nearly 12 million, has a talent gap of 21,300 individuals, with ten out of 20 skilled sector experiencing shortages, in particular the construction, engineering, automotive, metals and wood industries.

October figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicated the nation's jobless rate rose by 0.2 percentage points over the month from September, despite a 29,700 rise in the number of people in work.

Posted by Kate Griffin