An Anglicare analysis of June employment data found that for every entry-level job advertised in the state, an average of 23 South Australians applied – the highest rate in mainland Australia.

Of those 23 applicants, 20 were deemed over-qualified for the role.

The data is compiled in this year’s Anglicare Jobs Availability Snapshot, released this morning, which shines a spotlight on what the job market is like for disadvantaged jobseekers, such as people with disabilities, those who don’t have qualifications, early school leavers and the long-term unemployed.

The snapshot, which analysed Australian Bureau of Statistics and federal government data, found that disadvantaged jobseekers spent an average of five years and 11 months looking for work.

Nationally, 15 job seekers competed for every entry-level job advertised.

Latest jobs figures show South Australia’s unemployment rate dropped marginally to four per cent in October, with the state recording the second highest unemployment figure behind Tasmania.

South Australia’s underemployment rate, which measures part-time workers who want more hours and full-time workers who did not work full-time hours, remained steady at 6.6 per cent.

Border closures during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a jobs boom across the country, with fewer jobseekers coming to Australia for work and less people moving interstate in search of jobs.

But Anglicare SA CEO Grant Reubenicht said despite the favourable conditions for local jobseekers, people with barriers to work were not getting a chance.

“Not only is there not enough entry-level work to meet demand, there are also more overqualified people taking on entry-level jobs as a second or third job during an unprecedented cost of living crisis,” he said.

“We might be in the midst of a jobs boom, but South Australians who need the most help to find work – early school leavers, those with disabilities, and the long-term unemployed – are not benefitting from this labour force recovery.

“There needs to be change in not only how we support jobseekers with barriers to work, but in creating real and sustainable pathways for them to access more entry-level jobs, whether that’s through training or supported work placements, especially for disadvantaged young people.”

Anglicare has called on the employment services system to be “overhauled” to make it easier for people who have been out of work for a long time to secure employment.

“The government is already reviewing the system. That’s a good start,” Anglicare Australia executive director Kasy Chambers said.

“Our hope is that they will work with us to build a system that helps people, instead of leaving them behind.”