Australia’s 2025 Occupation Shortage List: What the Latest JSA Data Means for Migrants and Employers
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has released its 2025 Occupation Shortage List (OSL) along with an additional insights report, providing a deeper look into where Australia’s workforce shortages really are and what’s driving them. The findings carry important implications for skilled migrants, employers, and anyone planning their long-term pathway to Australia.
If you plan to migrate to Australia in 2026, we have summarised the report below for you.
All data and information below were derived from JSA Key Finding Reports and JSA Additional Insight Report.
Big Picture: Shortages are Easing, but Still Widespread
The good news? Compared to the peak in 2023, overall occupation shortages have eased slightly in 2024 and 2025.
The not-so-good news? When adjusted for employment size, around 30% of Australia’s workforce is still experiencing occupation shortages.
This tells us that while fewer occupations may technically be listed as “in shortage”, many of the largest and fastest-growing jobs are still struggling to find skilled workers.
Large and essential occupations remain in shortage
When JSA weighted shortages by employment size, the results became even clearer. Some of Australia’s most critical and high-demand occupations remain in short supply in 2025, including:
- Health professionals (nurses, doctors, carers)
- Teachers and education professionals
- Engineers
- Construction and infrastructure roles
Because these occupations employ large numbers of people, shortages in these areas have a bigger economic and productivity impact than smaller niche occupations.
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Construction leads shortage pressures by industry
Among all industries, Construction recorded the highest workforce shortage in 2025 at around 61%, followed by:
- Education and training (50%)
- Mining (>40%)
- Health care and social assistance (>40%)
These industries are not only large employers, they also support sectors across the economy. Persistent shortages here can slow housing apply, infrastructure delivery, healthcare access, and overall productivity.
You can find the complete list of occupations in shortage in 2025 here.
Skill shortages and productivity are closely linked
One of the strongest insights from the report is the link between high workforce shortages and lower productivity growth. Industries like Construction, Mining, and Health Care, which face the most severe shortages, also showed below-average productivity growth over the past five years.
In simple terms: When industries can’t find workers, they struggle to grow efficiently.
This reinforces why skilled migration continues to play a key role in supporting Australia’s economy.
Gender imbalance is making shortages worse
JSA also found that gender-skewed occupations are more likely to be in shortage. In 2025:
- 48% of occupations dominated by men were in shortage
- 33% of occupations dominated by women were in shortage
- Only 18% of gender-balanced occupations faced shortages
Many trade and technical roles, such as electricians, mechanics, and construction workers, remain heavily male-dominated, which limits the available talent pool and deepens shortages over time.
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Age diversity matters more than you think
Occupations that employ more mature-aged workers (55+) tend to experience fewer shortages. In 2025:
- Only 20% of occupations with at least 30% mature-aged workers were in shortage
- Nearly 40% of occupation with very few mature-aged workers were in shortage
Interestingly, the lowest shortage levels were seen in occupations that successfully employ both younger and older workers, highlighting the importance of a multi-generational workforce.
Workforce diversity can help ease shortages
The report also shows promising trends about diversity:
- Occupations with higher representation of First Nations workers were less likely to be in shortage overall
- A similar pattern was observed in occupations with higher representation of people with disability.
While diversity alone doesn’t solve all workforce issues, the data suggests that broader inclusion can help relieve labour market pressure, especially when paired with training and retention strategies.
What this means for skilled migrants and employers
For migrants, the 2025 OCL confirms that Australia still needs skilled workers, particularly in:
- Healthcare
- Construction and trades
- Education
- Engineering and technical roles
For employers, the message is clear: addressing shortages isn’t just about hiring more people, it’s also about:
- Retaining mature-aged workers
- Attracting under-represented groups
- Building sustainable, inclusive workforces
Conclusion
While labour market shortages have eased slightly since 2023, Australia’s skill shortages remain structural rather than temporary. The 2025 Occupation Shortage List reinforces the ongoing importance of skilled migration, thoughtful workforce planning, and inclusive employment practices.
For migrants planning their visa strategy and employers planning their workforce, understanding where shortages persist is more important than ever.
If you need assistance in planning your migration journey to Australia in 2026, get in touch with our Registered Migration Agent today:
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Understanding the occupation shortage list in Australia is very important in building a strategic migration plan. With this information, you can migrate to Australia as a skilled migrant confidently.
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