The number of job advertisements across Australia rose last month, suggesting a "strong increase in recruitment activity," according to preliminary data from the Federal Government's Labour Market Information Portal (LMIP).

Job listings in January reached a total of 259,000, after having increased by 10,900 or 4.4%. The seasonally adjusted figures suggest that job ads are now at their all-time high since September 2008, surpassing pre-COVID numbers.

"The level of recruitment activity nationally is significantly elevated compared with pre-COVID-19 levels, up by 54.0% (90,900 job ads)," the LMIP said.

Five of the eight states and territories witnessed an increase in hiring activity last month, with Western Australia recording the strongest growth at 7%. This was followed by the ACT at 5.3%, Victoria at 5.2% and Queensland at 5.1%.

In other parts of Australia where job postings slowed, the decline was "relatively minor," the LMIP said. Job ads in the Northern Territory fell by 1.5%; in Tasmania by 0.9%; and in South Australia by 0.4%.

More details on occupational and regional data will be published by the LMIP on Wednesday, 16 February.