🇦🇺 Australia Expands High-Demand Occupation List: New Shortage Roles Added (November 2025 Update)

Australia’s New Occupation Shortage List 2024: What It Means for Skilled Workers and Employers

Big changes are underway in how Australia manages its labor market shortages! If you’re following Australia’s latest immigration and employment policies, you’ll notice a significant update: the long-standing Skills Priority List has been retired. Introducing the Occupation Shortage List (OSL) for 2024, which provides deeper insights into Australia’s workforce needs. Whether you’re a skilled migrant or an employer, the OSL is now your essential guide to understanding Australia’s evolving labor landscape.

What’s Different About the New Occupation Shortage List?

This isn’t just another update on labor demand data. The Occupation Shortage List takes a more detailed approach, moving beyond a simple “in demand” label for jobs. It identifies occupations experiencing specific challenges and explains why these shortages exist, offering a clearer picture of Australia’s workforce gaps.

A Surprising Decline in Shortage Occupations

The 2024 OSL shows a reduction in the percentage of occupations facing shortages! Only 33% of occupations are currently listed as in shortage, a decrease from 36% last year. What does this trend mean for skilled workers and businesses in Australia? Let’s explore the details.

New Occupations Added to Australia’s 2024 Occupation Shortage List

The latest OSL includes new occupations critical to Australia’s economic growth and social well-being. The demand for skilled professionals in these fields is growing, and skilled migrants could find new opportunities in these areas:

• Aged or Disabled Carers: As Australia’s population ages, the need for carers to support the quality of life for elderly and disabled individuals has become essential. This role is now in high demand.
• Primary and Secondary School Teachers: Education is fundamental, and there’s an urgent need for teachers, particularly in regional areas. Both primary and secondary school teaching positions have been added to the shortage list.
• Telecommunications Linesworkers: As digital infrastructure expands, skilled linesworkers are needed to install and maintain telecommunications networks across Australia.
• Motor Mechanics: The demand for auto repair and maintenance is outpacing supply, making motor mechanics one of the newly listed shortage roles nationwide.
• Chefs and Butchers: The food industry is facing a talent gap, with chefs and butchers now recognized as occupations in shortage.
• Hairdressers: Even the personal services industry is feeling the strain, with a shortage of skilled hairdressers impacting communities across the country.

For more details, see the latest updates on Australia’s skills shortage here, and explore the comprehensive Occupation Shortage List here.

Recommended for you: Top 10 In-Demand Jobs in Australia for Immigrants 2025

The Future of Australia’s Labor Market

The Occupation Shortage List isn’t merely a listing of jobs; it’s a strategic tool guiding employers, policymakers, and skilled migrants toward Australia’s labor needs. For employers, it’s a reminder to rethink recruitment strategies—currently, only 1% of employers are adjusting wages to attract talent, with most opting for flexible work arrangements and enhanced working conditions.

For policymakers, the OSL data will shape training programs and future immigration policies. Australia’s migration strategy is also evolving, with the upcoming Skills in Demand Visa set to replace the Temporary Skilled Shortage (482) visa by the end of 2024. This new visa will introduce a tiered entry system based on skill levels, designed to attract the talent Australia needs most.

Learn more about Australia’s updated visa system and labor market strategies through the official Jobs and Skills Australia portal here.

What others are reading now: