DEMAND for executives has fallen to its lowest level since 2006 as the economy slows, says EL Consult`s executive demand index.
The monthly index shows demand for executives fell in every sector with the exception of accountants.
Business has a negative outlook in all states except in Western Australia.
In April, the index fell by six per cent over the previous month - the eighth fall in the past nine months.
"It is pretty much what might be expected,`` E.L Consult managing director Grant Montgomery said.
"Falls outnumbered rises, with the notable exceptions of mineral-rich Western Australia and the demand for accountants generally as they grapple with increasing work from troubled investments companies like Opes Prime.``
Mr Montgomery said the downward trend showed that bushiness did not have a positive outlook and were moving to a cost-control stance instead of the expansionary attitude prevalent in more buoyant times a year ago.
"Engineering, management, information technology and marketing have all fallen back, suggesting that business is bracing for a potential storm on the horizon,`` Mr Montgomery said.
However, demand in Western Australia rose by 9 per cent in April.
The Queensland and Tasmanian private sectors showed the largest retractions.
"Without the support of a semi-controlled economy like China buying Australian resources, the overall position of Australia would be a lot worse this month,`` Mr Montgomery said.
"On the one hand all indications are that the economy is slowing, but the boom in the resources sector has meant that other sectors have to fall just that much more for Australia to record a significant overall negative result.``
There was a 6 per cent fall in executive positions advertised nationwide, with a 2 per cent increase in finance positions, a 5 per cent fall in engineering positions and a 4 per cent decrease in general management positions.
Demand for executives in the information technology sector was unchanged and there was a 26 per cent drop in marketing and sales management positions.
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