Australia’s workforce and migration settings are constantly evolving.
The recently released Occupation Shortage List (OSL 2025) — based on the ANZSCO v6 classification — is not yet official policy, but it gives us an important preview of what may soon change in Australia’s skilled occupation lists and shows what are the jobs in demand in Australia in 2025.

For visa applicants and employers alike, these insights are valuable because they hint at where new opportunities and future visa pathways may open.

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What this update means

This updated dataset is part of ongoing discussions about how Australia will reshape its skilled occupation lists.
While no official update has been implemented yet, these indicators help us understand how the government may adjust the skilled migration system to better reflect current labour shortages.

For now, it’s all under review, but the data offers a strategic advantage for those who act early — identifying which occupations and states could soon become more accessible for migration or sponsorship.

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What the data shows

The draft list includes over 900 occupations, classified by whether they are experiencing shortages at a national, regional, or state level.

Key national findings:

• 252 occupations are in national shortage.

• 20 occupations face regional shortages.

• 1 occupation (Electrical Engineering Technician) is listed as a metro shortage — meaning demand is strongest in major cities.

• 643 occupations currently show no shortage at the national level.

State-by-state overview:

Western Australia stands out as the state with the highest number of shortage-flagged occupations, reflecting its ongoing demand in construction, mining, engineering, health, and hospitality.

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Areas showing the strongest demand

🔧 Engineering & Technical Roles

Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Mining Engineers remain in shortage nationwide.
The inclusion of Electrical Engineering Technicians under “metro shortage” highlights urban infrastructure pressures.

🏗️ Construction & Trades

Roles such as Carpenters, Welders, Plumbers, Electricians, and Construction Estimators are in shortage in nearly all states — especially in WA and QLD.

🩺 Health & Care Professions

Registered Nurses, Medical Radiation Therapists, Hospital Pharmacists, and Environmental Health Officers continue to feature among the most critical shortages.

🧑‍🏫 Education & Training

Primary and secondary teachers, vocational trainers, and early childhood educators are increasingly in demand across multiple states.

🌾 Agriculture & Environmental Science

Farm managers, horticulturalists, and agricultural technicians appear in regional shortage categories, pointing to rural labour gaps.

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Why this matters for future migration planning

Australia’s skilled migration program is based on the Skilled Occupation Lists (SOLs), which determine who can apply for:

• Employer-sponsored visas (such as the Skills in Demand visa replacing the 482)

• Permanent residency pathways (subclass 186)

• Regional opportunities (494 and 491)

• State nomination under the 190 or 491 programs

If the upcoming changes align with the OSL 2025 data, we may soon see:

• New occupations added to skilled lists

• Regional roles gaining priority for sponsorship

• More emphasis on industries facing chronic workforce shortages

Understanding these trends now allows both applicants and employers to prepare early — gathering skills assessments, English results, and employment evidence before demand increases.

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What you can do now

For overseas applicants

• Check whether your occupation appears in the shortage categories for any Australian state or territory.

• If yes, start preparing your skills assessment and English test now — so you can apply quickly if your occupation becomes eligible.

• Stay open to regional or state-specific roles, which often get priority when lists are updated.

For current visa holders in Australia

• Keep an eye on which states list your occupation as a shortage — moving interstate could expand your sponsorship or nomination options.

• If you’re on a Working Holiday or Temporary visa, this could be a good time to build work experience in a shortage occupation to qualify for employer sponsorship later.

For employers

• If your business is already facing hiring challenges, review whether your positions appear in the shortage list.

• Prepare documentation early to sponsor skilled staff when the updated lists are officially released.

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Final thoughts

While the Occupation Shortage List 2025 is still in a discussion phase, it gives a clear signal:
Australia will continue to prioritise skilled migration in engineering, construction, health, education, and regional development.

By understanding these trends now, skilled workers and employers can plan ahead, ensuring they’re ready when the next round of skilled occupation updates is announced.

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Need guidance?

At Giro Migration, we help individuals and businesses understand how upcoming list changes can affect their visa strategy.
Book a consultation to explore which pathways may soon open for your occupation — and how to get ready before everyone else does.