2025 Occupation Shortage List Released
The 2025 Occupation Shortage List (OSL) is out, highlighting the jobs that are hardest to fill across Australia. The list gives a clear snapshot of where employers are struggling to find workers and helps show what’s really happening in the Australian job market.
This year’s results show some good news — skill shortages have eased. About 29% of occupations are now in shortage, down from 36% in 2023. That’s largely thanks to more qualified applicants, better job fill rates, and a softer overall demand for labour.
Still, there’s work to do. Nearly half of trade jobs and two in five professional roles — especially in health, education and construction — remain tough to fill. Interestingly, workplaces that focus on diversity and inclusion are far less likely to face ongoing shortages.
Released alongside the OSL, the Occupation Shortage Drivers report digs deeper into the reasons behind these shortages — from too few qualified candidates and skill gaps to low pay and retention challenges.