Skills shortages in Australia

30 April 2016 by News Desk   |   SHARE  

Skills shortages in Australia are greater among technicians and trades than for professions.

Workers with experience are in greatest demand to meet skills shortages in Australia. There is a major shortage of child care centre managers. Shortages exist among five professions and among 15 technician and trade occupations.

See below a list of skills shortages in Australia and occupations in demand.

Professional occupations are still in demand but vacancies among technicians and trades are difficult to fill, government figures show. 81 per cent of vacancies for professions were filled compared with 69 per cent for technicians and trades

Over the past ten years more jobs have been created for professionals (41.3% growth) than for technicians and trades workers (18.3% growth).

Latest figures show the largest numbers of applicants were for professional vacancies in ICT followed by engineering, accounting and resource related occupations.

A number of occupations have been in consistent shortage for the last decade, particularly in the food trades.

Automotive trade workers continue to be difficult to recruit.

The residential construction sector has seen shortages in a number of related trades.

Filling vacancies is hardest in New South Wales where 68 per cent were filled compared with 75 per cent across the country.

Some occupations listed below have been in shortage for up to five years.

Skills shortages in Australia

Automotive Electrician
Baker
Bricklayer
Butcher or Smallgoods Maker
Cabinetmaker
Child Care Centre Manager
Electrical Linesworker
External Auditor
Metal Machinist (First Class)
Midwife
Motor Mechanic
Panelbeater
Physiotherapist
Plumber
Roof Tiler
Sheetmetal Trades Worker
Software Engineer
Solid Plasterer
Stonemason
Surveyor
Valuer
Wall and Floor Tiler

The level of employment is forecast to rise by 1.75 per cent over the year to June 2016. The unemployment rate is set to remain at 6.5 per cent, according to the Government’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.

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