Fewer employers in Australia are taking on new university graduates as the sluggish economy continues.
One in eight organisations surveyed by Graduate Careers Australia did not take on any graduates in 2012.
Since 2008 there has been a steady increase in the number of employers not recruiting any graduates.
Similarly, the number of employers taking on more than 20 graduates has steadily declined.
AAP reports less than one in five employers said they would have recruited more graduates last year if the candidates had been available.
More than half of the 584 employers surveyed cited business and economic conditions as the main reason for their hiring decisions.
Construction, mining and industry were the sectors most affected, with 78% saying this was the main reason.
AAP reports economic conditions were also cited by the government, defence and health sectors.
