Vacancies nearly doubled from 1900 in May to 3400 in August in seasonally adjusted terms, the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimated.

That left them equal with February, before the pandemic struck, and just 200 behind August 2019.

The 84.7 per cent increase in vacancies in the three months to August followed small decreases in the three months to November 2019 and to February 2020 and a 45.7 per cent plunge in the three months to May, when the crash was at its worst.

The ABS estimated private sector vacancies increased by 82 per cent to 2800 in the most recent period.

It estimated public sector vacancies doubled to 600.

The ABS said all states and territories had increased vacancies in August compared with May.

"The two biggest states, New South Wales and Victoria, were still well below pre-pandemic levels of vacancies in February 2020, as was the Australian Capital Territory," the ABS said.

"However, vacancies in many states surged in the August 2020 quarter to higher levels than those seen in February 2020 as restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19 were progressively eased in parts of the economy."

The ABS estimated 10.7 per cent of Tasmanian businesses were reporting vacancies on the August survey date.

That was below 14.7 per cent a year earlier, but well ahead of the 4.5 per cent estimate for May.

Nationally, the industries with the most vacancies were healthcare and social assistance (28,400), administrative and support services (24,200) and professional, scientific and technical services (23,500).

Premier Peter Gutwein said the figures showed job vacancies had rebounded strongly following the height of the pandemic's effects in May and Tasmania had the second highest rebound of any state.

"Pleasingly, the private sector is leading the rebound, with job vacancies growing 82 per cent over the three months to August," he said.

"Our Plan to Rebuild a Stronger Tasmania includes our $3.1 billion construction blitz and follows our economic and social support measures totalling more than $1 billion, which was the largest support package in the country as a proportion of our economy.

"As we recover, the government is focussed on doing everything we can to support investment and create jobs and get Tasmanians into work.

"Our Plan to Rebuild a Stronger Tasmania is working and there is a cautious optimism and confidence in Tasmania."

In his CEDA State of the State Address on Wednesday, Mr Gutwein said government support of businesses and jobs through the restriction period had been crucial.

He said the stimulus included the $3.1 billion 'construction blitz" announced in June which would create 15,000 jobs over two years.

"The centrepiece of this plan is 2300 new houses, including social and affordable ones, to not only create jobs, but also provide more homes for Tasmanians," he said.

"With confidence returning and the easing of restrictions, Tasmania is getting back to work.

"Sixteen thousand Tasmanians are back in work since the height of the pandemic in May.

"That's over 80 per cent of the Tasmanians who lost their job have now returned to work, or found a new job.

"Interestingly, there are now 6600 more Tasmanians in work than this time last year."

Labor was sceptical about the construction plan, particularly given ABS figures released on Wednesday showed dwelling approvals fell by 26.2 per cent in August.

Shadow Building and Construction Minister Jen Butler said the Liberals were failing to build Tasmania out of recession.

"Peter Gutwein committed billions of dollars to a construction blitz as a way to try to build Tasmania out of the COVID-19 crisis, but fewer housing approvals this month means less work for builders next month," Ms Butler said

"Clearly, the Premier's recovery plan is not working."

Shadow Treasurer David O'Byrne said: "Today's figures are an improvement on a terrible set of numbers in May, but they nevertheless show job vacancies haven't recovered to their pre-pandemic level."

"Even in locked-down Victoria job vacancies improved by 67 per cent," he said.