Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has released the 2024 Occupation Shortage List (OSL).
Formally known as the Skills Priority List, OSL is a tool to explore the state of the current Australian labour market, providing a point-in-time assessment of the shortage status of occupations in the Australian labour market.
JSA has provided a breakdown of the data based on ANZSCO levels, with the 4-digit ANZSCO level data outlining ‘shortage drivers’, and whether the shortage is confined to metropolitan areas or regional areas.
The report shows 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. It also shows 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 gender balanced workforces tend to avoid shortages, suggesting that increasing diversity could alleviate labour market pressures.
To find out more and access the full report, please visit the Jobs and Skills Australia website.