Skill shortages in Australia open opportunities for skilled migrants

Added by National Visas on April 21, 2014
Saved under Australia Skilled Visas Articles

Skill shortages in Australia open opportunities for skilled migrants

The Australian labour market has regained its momentum in 2013 and become more responsive to the needs of Australian employers, revealed 2013-released Department of Employment study about Australia’s skills shortage and labour market. Titled Skill Shortages Australia, the study used data from the Survey of Employers who have Recently Advertised (SERA)—over 5500 contact employers—as well as insights from key industry and occupational associations.

Australia’s current labour market

Anecdotal information based from the qualitative aspect of the study showed that employers were able to recruit skilled workers relatively easily in 2013. They commented positively on the availability of “large fields of applicants from whom to choose,” allowing them to shortlist suitable ones and hire them if found to possess the necessary qualifications.

Based on the quantifiable data, employers found it difficult to recruit applicants for professional and trades vacancies due to the tight competition. Those vacancies that remained unfilled were reported to require specific skill sets and attracted workers who did not meet their precise requirements. However, employers were able to fill more vacancies in 2013 as compared with the last seven years.

Job seekers had several in-shortage occupations to choose from, including 6 professions and 18 technician and trades occupations. Nationally, Australia continues to have high level skill shortages in the following 11 occupation groups: agriculture and horticulture; automotive; child care; construction; electro technology and telecommunications technicians; engineering professions; engineering trades; food trades; health diagnostic professions; health therapy professions; and resource related occupations.

Here is a summary of the occupations and locations where it was easiest and hardest to recruit or fill vacancies in 2013:

School Teachers, ICT Professions and Nurses were the easiest vacancies to fill.
Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth were the easiest locations to recruit.
Automotive Trades, Food Trades and Hairdressers were the hardest vacancies to fill.
Darwin, Regional New South Wales and Regional South Australia were the hardest locations to recruit.

A look at occupations and locations

Both professions and technicians and trades occupations showed improved turnouts in 2013. According to the study, employers filled 76% of vacancies (2% increase from 2012) for professional occupations, while 69% of vacancies (4% increase from 2012) were filled for technician and trades occupations. The number of applicants per vacancy also rose for both occupations, and the number of suitable applicants either rose by a few points or remained the same.

Recruiting seemed to be easier in metropolitan than regional areas. Numbers showed that metropolitan employers filled 74% of their vacancies, compared with 67% in regional Australia. In terms of suitable applicants, metropolitan areas had 2.4 suitable applicants compared with 1.9 in regional areas.

The results of the study offer promising opportunities for skilled migrants who want to work in Australia. A wide range of high-paying jobs are available for these people, who only need to utilise SkillSelect in order to connect with employers who might be willing to sponsor them. If you are considering working in Australia, expert migration agents at National Visas can provide professional visa advice and handle all procedures for you, giving you a hassle-free visa application experience and assisting your faster migration to Australia.

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