The 2024 Occupation Shortage List (OSL), formerly the Skills Priority List, has been released.
The OSL details occupations experiencing shortages, where employers struggle to fill or face significant challenges in filling vacancies. If you’re looking for a comprehensive tool to explore the state of the current Australian labour market, the OSL is for you.
The latest results show that 33% of occupations (303 out of 916) are currently in national shortage, a decrease from the 36% reported in 2023, reflecting overall labour market softening.
This year, the top 5 employing occupations in shortage are Aged or Disabled Carers, Primary School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Truck Drivers and Electricians.
The data also revealed that gender-skewed occupations, where men or women make up at least 80% of the workforce, are more likely to experience shortages. By contrast, more balanced workforces, those with at least 20% representation of both genders, tend to avoid shortages, suggesting that increasing diversity could alleviate labour market pressures.
Analysis also suggested that age-inclusiveness in employment particularly in an ageing population may help alleviate shortages. Only 19% of occupations were in shortage where at least 30% of their workforce had mature aged workers compared to 44% of occupations in shortage, where the workforce share of older workers was below 10%.
In addition, 73% of employers continued to advertise positions in the same places despite facing unfilled vacancies over the course of a year and only 1% adjusted pay. This may point to employers seeking non-renumeration recruitment strategies first to attract talented workers.
Findings from the OSL are important considerations in shaping training funding and policies to meet Australia’s evolving labour needs. For a summary of our findings see the Key Findings and Insights Report.
The OSL online tool has undergone a number of updates to optimise accessibility and user experience. A metropolitan shortage rating has been added, giving a clearer picture of shortages nationally and across, regions and states/territories. Plus, there’s now a skill level filter to help you find relevant occupations more easily.
If you have any questions or feedback, please email: OccupationShortageList@jobsandskills.gov.au
