The Christmas hiring season is about to begin in earnest, according to online jobs site Indeed.

Businesses looking to bolster their ranks ahead of Christmas have started hiring earlier and earlier, Indeed’s data suggests. And this trend holds true in every state.

The first Christmas job ads expected to appear in late July and explode in August, before peaking in September and dropping off sharply in November.

Job searches are also shifting earlier. August search activity in 2018 was up 16 per cent from the previous year, while September and October searches increased by 10 per cent and 5 per cent year on year, respectively.

Traditionally, most of the Christmas openings are in the retail sector, but Indeed found that the holiday rush also creates jobs in hospitality and the service industry, who cater to the influx of shoppers.

Last year, the 10 biggest Christmas job advertisers in Australia were Cotton On, Hanes Brands, Typo, Supercheap Auto, Bed Bath N Table, Lovisa, Colette, Adairs, BCF and Pandora.

For many job hunters, part-time and casual work over Christmas is a way to make pocket money while on holiday from school or university or even as a second revenue stream to boost household income,” said Callam Pickering, APAC economist for Indeed, .

“These jobs, concentrated in, but not exclusive to, retail and hospitality, provide crucial work experience and training. Those who perform well just may find themselves employed on a more permanent basis.”

He noted that low wage growth also means it’s an opportune time for workers seeking a second job.

Christmas job ads were 17 per cent higher in 2018 than 2016, the jobs site said.