Every year the National Skills Commission reviews labour market information to see which industry areas and job roles are in high demand across Australia. This provides a clear picture of the types of professional work skills lacking in the Australian workforce.
It’s great data to use if you know you’re interested in a particular industry but unsure what job prospects might look like.
Knowing there is a skills shortage in certain areas allows you to focus your career efforts and skill development in that area, knowing you’ll be in demand.
So, with all that in mind, where are some of the biggest skills gaps in Australia?
A Quick Note on the Ratings
The Skills Priority List (SPL) provides an overview of the different industries and roles where there are shortages. These are also broken down by state. There are a few things to note when looking at the data:
- An occupation may be assessed as being in shortage even though not all specialisations are in shortage.
- An occupation can be considered in shortage, and it can still be possible for job seekers to face significant competition for positions.
- Employers can still have difficulty recruiting for occupations that are not in shortage.
- A lack of evidence overall defaults to an occupation rated as ‘No Shortage’.
5 Industries With National Skills Shortages
1.  Construction & Engineering
The new report points to several roles, particularly senior and management positions, within the construction and engineering sector that are experiencing a shortage nationally.
These roles include:
- Construction Project Manager
- Project Builder
- Engineering Manager
- Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator
- Driller
- Miner
- Surveyor
- Building Inspector
- And more.
Want to explore more? Head to our Employer Partners page and discover our construction and engineering employers to start!
2.  Teaching & Education
Teaching and education roles have been in demand for a while, and this doesn’t seem to change much.
The need for high-quality, qualified teaching professionals and educational support across all age groups is a large skill priority area nationally.
Roles with the highest skills shortage include:
- Early Childhood Teacher
- Primary School Teacher
- Secondary School Teacher
- Special Needs Teacher
- Vocational Education Teacher
- And more.
We’re lucky to partner with several exciting educational providers with plenty of opportunities to help early career starters kick off their career journeys in the sector!
3.  Healthcare & Nursing
Nursing shortages nationally have been making the news recently, with Victoria announcing subsidised degrees for new domestic students enrolling in 2023-2024 to help encourage more people to qualify.
Students enrolling in a professional-entry nursing or midwifery course will receive a scholarship of up to $16,500 to cover course costs, receiving $9,000 while they study and $7,500 if they work in Victorian public health services for two years following graduation.
But it’s not just nurses of all specialisms that are in demand. Other roles with skills shortages nationally include:
- Radiographer
- Sonographer
- Optometrist
- Pharmacists
- Dentist
- Physiotherapists
- Surgeons
- Aged Care
- Personal Care Assistant
- And many more.
Entry pathways into various healthcare sectors are varied, and no matter your grades or academic preferences, there are ways to get started with minimal qualifications.
Apprenticeships and traineeships are great ways to get involved. Head over to our healthcare Employer Profiles to learn more!
4.  IT & Cyber Security
It may come as no surprise that as we become increasingly digital, the demand for more digitally skilled and specialised professionals is on the rise.
Cyber security and protecting personal information are vital, with more people working and conducting essential aspects of their lives online.
Some of the identified roles with skills shortages nationally include:
- Web Developer
- Program Analyst
- Software Engineer
- Software Tester
- Cyber Security (All Professionals)
- And more
There are lots to discover in the industry in terms of roles available – and new ones are being created all the time!
There are also many ways to get started if you decide a degree isn’t for you. We’ve already partnered with some fantastic employers in the industry.
5.  Skilled Trades
Going hand-in-hand with construction, skilled trades are also in demand across Australia. This covers everything from carpenters to painters and decorators, electricians, and more niche/specialised roles required to complete various construction and building projects.
As well as roles in construction and building, mechanics and similarly skilled trades professionals are also in demand. Occupations identified by the SPL include:
- Motor Vehicle Parts Fitter
- Industrial Spraypainter
- Cabinet Maker
- Furniture Finisher
- Gardener
- Cabler
- Automotive Engineer
- Motorcycle Mechanic
- And more.
Again, we’re already working with many employers across the different sectors that involve skilled trades, and we know they’re keen to help young people learn more and get involved in the right ways.
Where to From Here?
When you first look through the SPL, it might seem like a shock – quite a few roles stand out as having shortages, and many can be grouped into set industries.
For young people, these lists are an opportunity to learn more about where they could put their efforts to develop a rewarding career where they should hopefully find lots of options for progression and job growth.
For employers, this should be a wake-up to the fact that more needs to be done to highlight how and why young people should take an interest in their industry. Many roles that are a skills priority have been this way for many years – and if nothing changes, nothing changes.
If you’re an employer who needs to change how they do things when it comes to engaging and motivating your future skilled talent – chat with us.
