On 14 October 2024, Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) released the Occupation Shortage List (OSL), a national overview of roles in shortage across Australia and each state and territory. Formerly known as the Skills Priority List, the OSL serves as a guide to shape workforce strategies, training programs, and migration pathways, aiming to bridge critical skills gaps and support industry growth.
Key Findings from the 2024 Occupation Shortage List
The 2024 OSL highlights that 33 per cent of assessed occupations (303 out of 916) are currently in shortage nationwide, a slight improvement from the 36 per cent noted in 2023. For Australian businesses, these findings mean that access to skilled talent remains a top concern – and one that industry groups and organisations like SaCSA have actively contributed to addressing.
The OSL, which evaluates over 900 occupations at the skill level, guides policies that enhance workforce supply and demand balance. This also includes identifying roles eligible for the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa and the Australian Apprenticeship Priority List (AAPL), providing key occupations with additional support to help alleviate workforce gaps.
SaCSA’s Role in Contributing to the 2024 Occupation Shortage List
The 2024 OSL reflects the latest workforce trends and the insights provided by various industry stakeholders. Contributions from SaCSA, backed by in-depth industry analysis and feedback, helped ensure that critical occupations across our sectors were accurately represented. These collaborative efforts have supported a more precise understanding of workforce needs in these areas, helping to address skills gaps and guide targeted workforce planning initiatives.
While the 2024 OSL captures many critical roles within the Arts, Personal Services, Retail, Tourism, and Hospitality sectors, several occupations remain unlisted despite evidence and feedback around skills shortages. SaCSA is committed to advocating for these roles to be recognised in future OSL updates, working with industry partners to gather evidence and highlight their essential contribution to Australia’s workforce and economy. By continuing to engage with JSA and key stakeholders, we will aim to ensure that these occupations receive the support they need through targeted policies, training and migration initiatives, and workforce planning.
Here are the twelve occupations from SaCSA’s sectors identified in the 2024 OSL:
Why Being on the List Matters: The Benefits for Industry
Occupations included on the OSL receive targeted attention that can help streamline workforce solutions, funding, and training. For example, being on the OSL makes certain roles eligible for migration benefits under the SID visa, supporting employers who need to fill these roles quickly. Additionally, the AAPL facilitates training access for job seekers, helping them upskill in high-demand areas to meet the needs of these sectors.
For industries represented on the OSL, this means having a government-backed framework for addressing shortages, attracting skilled workers, and tailoring training to equip the next generation of workers in roles that are in high demand.
What’s Next? SaCSA’s Role in Addressing Skills Challenges
While the 2024 OSL provides a benchmark, SaCSA is committed to ongoing initiatives that support these workforce needs. Looking to 2025, SaCSA will focus on deepening its understanding of labour market demands and workforce development needs, supported by:
- Enhanced workforce analysis to pinpoint future needs and forecast changes
- Developing tailored training programs across SaCSA sectors to meet industry-specific requirements
- Fostering cross-sector collaboration through Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) to maximise resources and drive collective solutions.
By continuing to work closely with JSA and industry stakeholders, SaCSA aims to ensure that shortages in these priority areas are addressed in meaningful ways, supporting long-term workforce sustainability, opportunities and growth.
Opportunities for Industry Moving Forward
For businesses and professionals within the Arts, Personal Services, Retail, Tourism, and Hospitality sectors, the 2024 OSL serves as both a signal of workforce need and a pathway for future development. Industry leaders and employers are encouraged to leverage these insights, engage with training opportunities, and collaborate with SaCSA and other industry stakeholders to help tackle these challenges.
To view the complete 2024 Occupation Shortage List, visit: Jobs and Skills Australia.
Learn more about SaCSA’s current initiatives via our projects page.
Author: Shaer Fattah, Insights and Analytics Manager at SaCSA, leverages over a decade of experience in labour market analytics to develop and implement robust research methods that inform workforce policies.
|
Occupation in shortage |
Sector |
|
Graphic Pre-press Trades Worker |
Arts |
|
Light Technician |
Arts |
|
Sound Technician |
Arts |
|
Hairdresser |
Personal Services |
|
Beauty Therapist |
Personal Services |
|
Pharmacy Technician |
Retail |
|
Tour Guide |
Tourism |
|
Travel Consultant |
Tourism |
|
Chef |
Hospitality |
|
Cook |
Hospitality |
|
Hotel or Motel Manager |
Hospitality |
|
Pastrycook |
Hospitality |
Why Being on the List Matters: The Benefits for Industry
Occupations included on the OSL receive targeted attention that can help streamline workforce solutions, funding, and training. For example, being on the OSL makes certain roles eligible for migration benefits under the SID visa, supporting employers who need to fill these roles quickly. Additionally, the AAPL facilitates training access for job seekers, helping them upskill in high-demand areas to meet the needs of these sectors.
For industries represented on the OSL, this means having a government-backed framework for addressing shortages, attracting skilled workers, and tailoring training to equip the next generation of workers in roles that are in high demand.
What’s Next? SaCSA’s Role in Addressing Skills Challenges
While the 2024 OSL provides a benchmark, SaCSA is committed to ongoing initiatives that support these workforce needs. Looking to 2025, SaCSA will focus on deepening its understanding of labour market demands and workforce development needs, supported by:
- Enhanced workforce analysis to pinpoint future needs and forecast changes
- Developing tailored training programs across SaCSA sectors to meet industry-specific requirements
- Fostering cross-sector collaboration through Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) to maximise resources and drive collective solutions.
By continuing to work closely with JSA and industry stakeholders, SaCSA aims to ensure that shortages in these priority areas are addressed in meaningful ways, supporting long-term workforce sustainability, opportunities and growth.
Opportunities for Industry Moving Forward
For businesses and professionals within the Arts, Personal Services, Retail, Tourism, and Hospitality sectors, the 2024 OSL serves as both a signal of workforce need and a pathway for future development. Industry leaders and employers are encouraged to leverage these insights, engage with training opportunities, and collaborate with SaCSA and other industry stakeholders to help tackle these challenges.
To view the complete 2024 Occupation Shortage List, visit: Jobs and Skills Australia.
Learn more about SaCSA’s current initiatives via our projects page.
Author: Shaer Fattah, Insights and Analytics Manager at SaCSA, leverages over a decade of experience in labour market analytics to develop and implement robust research methods that inform workforce policies.