Australia, particularly Western Australia, is experiencing a significant skills shortage. While the state government has announced further investment to help more people get back into the workforce, it’s likely a shortage will continue across many industries for the foreseeable future.
These shortages present challenges for employers striving to maintain operations and services, while job-seekers benefit from added opportunities to enter or advance in high-demand fields. Understanding the specific areas of demand can aid both employers and job seekers in navigating the current labor market effectively.
What Skills Are In Demand?
A complete list of industries or occupations experiencing a skills shortage can be found on the Occupation Shortage List. A short list of the industries we believe are the most effected can be seen below.
Technicians, Trades and Labour
Skilled trade and labour roles remain among the hardest to fill across WA. A growing list of infrastructure projects, increased housing demand, and a high rate of retirement among senior tradespeople have created persistent shortages.
Apprenticeship completions are not keeping up with demand, and many employers are struggling to find licensed or experienced workers to meet project timelines. The construction sector in particular is under pressure, with calls for more local training and migration support to ease the shortage.
In-demand roles include:
Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics, metal fitters, labourers, scaffolders and concreters.
Health Professionals
The healthcare sector has been facing workforce pressure for many years, made worse by increased demand due to an ageing population and difficulty staffing rural areas.
More than 4 out of 5 health-professional jobs were in shortage in 2023. The Health Care and Social Assistance industry is Australia’s largest employer, and yet still cannot meet demand in key areas such as general practice, mental health and allied health support.
In-demand roles include:
Registered nurses, general practitioners, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists.
Aged Care
Aged care is facing one of the most acute labour shortages in the country. The sector lost thousands of workers over recent years, and demand continues to increase as the population ages.
According to CEDA, the aged care sector faced a shortfall of around 35,000 workers in 2022. These shortages don’t just affect carers but also vital support roles such as kitchen staff, cleaners and activity coordinators. Many aged care providers are unable to accept new residents due to lack of staff, which impacts community health and wellbeing more broadly.
In-demand roles include:
Aged care workers, personal care assistants, support workers, aged care cleaners, kitchen assistants, lifestyle and activity officers.
Logistics and Transport
The logistics sector continues to grow, driven by supply chain expansion, online retail and infrastructure needs.
However, it is being held back by a lack of licensed and experienced machinery operators and drivers. Truck driving roles in particular have had high vacancy rates for years, with employers citing a shortage of qualified applicants and barriers to entry such as licensing costs and lack of training pathways.
In-demand roles include:
HR and HC truck drivers, MC drivers, forklift operators, crane operators, freight handlers, delivery drivers.
Professional Services
Shortages among professional roles are also increasing, particularly in areas requiring technical or regulatory expertise.
Engineering, IT, finance and education all feature heavily on the national skills shortage list. Rapid digital transformation has driven demand for software developers and IT specialists, while large-scale construction and infrastructure projects continue to need more engineers and planners. In education, the shortage of qualified teachers in science and mathematics is particularly widespread.
In-demand roles include:
Civil engineers, software developers, accountants, auditors, secondary school teachers in maths and science.
Regional and Remote Areas
Shortages in regional and remote communities are especially severe.
While the types of roles needed are similar to metro areas, the challenge is attracting and retaining staff willing to relocate. Many regions lack access to training facilities and accommodation, which adds to the difficulty. Government programs and incentives are in place, but the demand continues to outpace supply in healthcare, education and community services.
In-demand roles include:
General practitioners, registered nurses, aged care workers, teachers, tradespeople.
How Flexistaff Can Help
Flexistaff works with businesses across WA to provide fast, flexible workforce solutions. Whether you need short-term cover, seasonal support or a long-term hire, our recruitment and labour hire services help connect you with qualified and reliable candidates.
Our team handles screening, compliance, licensing checks and onboarding so you can focus on your operations.
What This Means for Job Seekers
If you’re looking for a new job or considering a career change, now is an ideal time to explore your options.
Shortages across these industries mean employers are more open to training, more likely to offer consistent shifts, and actively looking for reliable people. You don’t always need experience to get started, what matters most is attitude, availability and a willingness to learn.
Licences like a white card or forklift ticket can quickly open doors, and working through a labour hire agency like Flexistaff gives you access to a wider range of roles with built-in support.
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