Australia Skill Shortage List
Australia’s labour market continues to experience significant shortages across technical, engineering, healthcare, digital, and trade‑based occupations. The demand is driven by major infrastructure projects, the clean‑energy transition, population growth, and rapid digital transformation.
Below is a breakdown of the most in‑demand engineering skill areas.
Construction and Infrastructure Engineering
- Civil Engineer
- Structural Engineer
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Transport / Highways Engineer
- Rail Engineer
- Water / Wastewater Engineer
- Construction Engineer
- Site Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Planning Engineer
- Cost Engineer / Cost Controller
- Estimating Engineer
- Quality Engineer
- Health & Safety Engineer
- Building Services Engineer (MEP)
Energy, Power & Utilities Engineering
- Electrical Engineer
- Power Systems Engineer
- Grid Connection Engineer
- Renewable Energy Engineer
- Solar PV Engineer
- Wind Turbine Engineer
- Energy Efficiency Engineer
- Energy Management Engineer
- Substation Engineer
- HV/LV Electrical Engineer
Nuclear Engineering
- Nuclear Engineer
- Radiation Protection Engineer
- Safety Case Engineer
- Nuclear Project Engineer
- Decommissioning Engineer
- Waste Management Engineer
- Reactor Systems Engineer
- Nuclear Quality Assurance Engineer
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineer
- HVAC Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Maintenance Engineer
- Reliability Engineer
- Rotating Equipment Engineer
- Process Engineer
- Production Engineer
- Tooling Engineer
Oil, Gas and Resources Engineering
- Petroleum Engineer
- Mining Engineer
- Drilling Engineer
- Reservoir Engineer
- Geotechnical / Geological Engineer
- Offshore Structural Engineer
- Subsea Engineer
Digital, Automation and Systems Engineering
- Software Engineer (Engineering Systems)
- Control Systems Engineer
- Automation Engineer
- SCADA Engineer
- Instrumentation & Controls Engineer
- Data Engineer (Industrial)
- AI / Machine Learning Engineer (Industrial Applications)
Project, Programme and Commercial Engineering Roles
- Project Manager (Engineering)
- Programme Manager
- Commercial Manager
- Contract Engineer
- Procurement Engineer
- Engineering Planner / Scheduler
Environmental & Sustainability Engineering
- Environmental Engineer
- Sustainability Engineer
- Carbon Reduction Engineer
- Waste Management Engineer
- Climate / Energy Transition Engineer
Skilled Trades and Technical Engineering Roles
- CAD Technician
- Engineering Technician
- Welding Engineer
- Fabrication Engineer
- NDT Technician
- Electrical Technician
- Mechanical Technician
- Scaffolding Design Engineer
In Summary
Australia’s most in‑demand skills cluster around:
- Engineering & Construction
- Digital & Cybersecurity
- Green Energy & Sustainability
- Healthcare & Education
- Skilled Trades
- Professional Services (Accounting, HR)
These shortages are shaping migration policy and influencing the Skilled Occupation List, which determines eligibility for many work visas.
