Jobs and Skills Australia has published the 2024 Occupation Shortage List (OSL), offering crucial insights into national and regional workforce shortages across various industries.
Overview of the 2024 OSL
The latest OSL reveals that nearly 30% of occupations (303 out of 916) are currently experiencing shortages—an improvement of approximately 3% compared to the previous year. Despite this progress, several sectors continue to struggle with finding skilled workers.
The full OSL is available on the Jobs and Skills Australia website [insert link here].
Jobs and Skills Australia also released a comprehensive report analyzing workforce shortages in Australia. Covering 916 occupations, the report primarily focuses on roles requiring tertiary education and training. Occupations with a fill rate below 67% are classified as being in shortage. This analysis incorporates data modelling, statistical research, and input from industry stakeholders and government agencies.
Key Occupations in Shortage
The 2024 OSL identifies several industries where skills shortages persist, including healthcare, hospitality, construction, and information technology. Notable occupations in shortage include:
- Chefs and Hospitality Managers: High demand in Western Australia and Tasmania.
- Taxation Accountants and Contract Administrators: Persistent shortages in New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia.
- Aged Care and Childcare Workers: Consistent shortages, especially in Queensland and South Australia.
- Tradespeople (Bricklayers, Electricians, Engineers): Critical for infrastructure projects, with shortages in Victoria and Western Australia.
- Technicians: High demand in New South Wales and Victoria across various industries.
- Aircraft Maintenance Technicians: Severe shortages in Queensland and Tasmania as the aviation sector recovers from COVID-19 impacts.
These shortages emphasize sectors where employers are facing challenges in sourcing qualified professionals.
ICT Roles and Ongoing Workforce Challenges
Demand for information and communication technology (ICT) roles, including cybersecurity and software engineering, remains high. While there has been some progress since 2023, shortages in these critical areas persist.
Healthcare roles such as physiotherapists, midwives, and nursing educators continue to face notable shortages in New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia, highlighting the need for strategic workforce development.
Occupations in Critical Demand Without Direct Visa Pathways
Certain occupations listed on the 2024 OSL face severe shortages but are not included on the Department of Home Affairs’ Skilled Occupation List. As a result, these roles lack direct visa pathways, such as the Subclass 482 or Subclass 186 visas. Workers in these sectors may need to explore regional visas or seek employment through labour agreements.
Occupations affected include:
- Aged or Disabled Carer
- Bulldozer Operator
- Construction Estimator
- Crane, Hoist, or Lift Operator
- Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Cyber Security Architect
- Cyber Security Operations Coordinator
- Driller
- Excavator Operator
- Grader Operator
- Industrial Spraypainter
- Irrigation Technician
- Loader Operator
- Personal Care Assistant
- Plasterer (Wall and Ceiling)
- Renderer (Solid Plaster)
- Scaffolder
- Tree Workers
Adapting to Changing Workforce Demands
The 2024 OSL underscores ongoing shifts in Australia’s labour market. While some industries have shown signs of recovery, significant skills gaps remain in key sectors. Employers must adapt their recruitment strategies and invest in workforce training to address these evolving demands.
For expert advice on navigating skilled migration pathways and workforce planning, contact K1 Migration today.