The financial planning job market is showing a promising start with a 21% increase on advertised positions compared to this time last year, according to recruitment company eJobs.

It says the latest figures for financial planning recruitment show the strongest start to a new year for some time.

But MD Trevor Punnett says although recruitment figures for the three months to January 31 are promising, they are nowhere near the pre-November 2008 levels.

NSW and the ACT have shown a significant rise of 30% for financial planning jobs, while demand in Victoria and Tasmania dropped by 5%.

Mr Punnett says that as Queensland struggles with natural catastrophes, demand has nevertheless increased in the past month by 69% over the December figure.

“Presumably financial advice and risk insurance is more ‘top of mind’ among many Queenslanders, given a focus on their personal and business situations,” he said.

“Perhaps this will drive people around Australia to think more about their savings, super, investments and insurance.”

eJobs predicts demand for financial planning staff will continue to rise over the next quarter at levels above last year as many companies start looking at growing new business.

Mr Punnett says the industry has lost a bit of its shine as a glamorous occupation, with many potential recruits rethinking initial decisions to take up financial planning positions.

And he doubts proposed increases in educational criteria will help draw people back into the industry.