Australia’s 2025 Occupation Shortage List Reveals What’s Really in Demand
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has just released the much-anticipated 2025 Occupation Shortage List (OSL) — providing an updated snapshot of the Australian labour market and revealing where skilled talent is still urgently needed.
More than just an employment report, this list is a key reference used by the Department of Home Affairs when shaping the Skilled Occupation Lists for the new migration year.
For anyone planning to study, migrate, or work in Australia, this is a must-read indicator of future opportunities.
1. Overall Trend: Skill Shortages Ease, but Structural Gaps Remain
Australia’s national skills shortage rate has fallen to 29%, the lowest level in recent years.
This marks a steady improvement compared to 33% in 2024 and 36% in 2023, suggesting the labour market is stabilising.
However, beneath the surface lies a persistent structural imbalance:
- Nearly half of all trade occupations
- And over 40% of professional roles
are still classified as “in shortage” — well above the national average.
Among the 264 long-term shortage occupations, four key sectors dominate:
- Healthcare, Education, Engineering, and Science — together accounting for 36% of total shortages;
- Construction and Clean Energy Trades — representing a further 38%.
These areas share one thing in common: they require specialised technical skills and practical experience, forming the foundation of Australia’s economic and social growth.
2. A Surprising Shift: Nurses and Social Workers No Longer “In Shortage”?
In a move that caught many by surprise, Registered Nurses (nec) and Social Workers are now classified as “not in shortage” for 2025.
This does not mean these industries have a surplus of talent.
Rather, it reflects “soft barriers” such as low pay, limited career attraction, and high turnover — leading to chronic retention issues.
According to JSA, these roles don’t lack qualified applicants — they simply struggle to retain skilled professionals in the workforce.
The accompanying Drivers of Shortage Report highlights three structural causes:
- Insufficient qualified applicants — most acute in healthcare, education, and construction.
- Skill and experience mismatch — even qualified candidates often lack job-ready experience, especially in engineering and management.
- Retention challenges — in care and service industries, poor pay and high attrition create a vicious cycle.
The report also notes that workforce diversity — through the inclusion of women, young people, and migrants — is key to easing shortages long-term.
3. Key Industry Insights
Accounting & Auditing
- Still in shortage: Tax Accountants (nationwide), External Auditors
- No longer in shortage: General Accountants, Management Accountants, Internal Auditors
Engineering, Construction & Trades
- Still in shortage:
- Civil and Construction Engineers, Project Managers (nationwide)
- Carpenters, Electricians, Bricklayers — critical shortages across all states
- Cooling demand: Architects have moved from state-based shortages in 2024 to no shortage nationwide in 2025.
Education
- Still in shortage: Secondary School Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers (nationwide)
- No longer in shortage: University Lecturers, Tutors
Information & Communication Technology (ICT)
- Saturation trend: Most programming and systems analysis roles have now exited the shortage list.
Healthcare & Community Services
- Mixed outcomes:
- Registered Nurse (nec): No longer in shortage except in the Northern Territory
- Aged Care Worker: Persistent shortage nationwide
- Social Worker: Now limited to remote VIC, NT, and SA
- Community Worker: Shortages remain in WA and NT only
Other Critical Occupations
- Still in shortage:
- Legal: Solicitors (nationwide)
- Hospitality: Cooks (nationwide), Chefs (mainly regional areas)
- Business: Contract Administrators (SA, WA)
- No longer in shortage: Marketing and Finance professionals
4. 2025 Key Takeaways
- Construction demand is shifting: Design roles (architects) are cooling, but engineering and trades remain strong.
- Healthcare demand is diversifying: Aged care is now the single most in-demand service area.
- Business competition intensifies: General commerce and finance jobs are reaching saturation, except for specialised fields like taxation and audit.
5. Riverwood’s Expert Insights
If you are planning to:
- Apply for skilled migration
- Transition to PR after graduation
- Build a long-term career in Australia
Then focusing on high-demand sectors such as Health, Education, Engineering, Construction, and Clean Energy
will significantly increase your migration eligibility and employment prospects.
At Riverwood Migration, our lawyers and consultants can design a personalised migration and study plan aligned with the latest labour market trends — helping you secure your future in Australia.
Ready to plan your visa or migration pathway?
If you have any questions about your Australian visa, career, or study-to-migration options,
you’re welcome to contact Riverwood Migration:
📱 +61 (02) 8977 7530 (WhatsApp available)
Our registered migration lawyers and consultants provide transparent, professional advice
to help you secure your visa and achieve your long-term goals in Australia.
