The latest City of Greater Bendigo Quarterly Business Employment survey showed that overall full-time employment dropped by 29, part-time by 49 and casual employment rose by eight jobs.

Eleven professional and business services responded to the survey, which indicated a net decrease of 57 jobs.

The major contributor to the decrease was the call centre industry, but real estate, financial services and printing businesses all contributed to the drop.

The survey was sent to more than 100 businesses and 38 responded.

City of Greater Bendigo economic development manager Brian Gould said it was not uncommon for employment numbers in the professional/business services group to fluctuate when they were operating on long- and short-term contracts.