What is the difference between the Skills Priority List and the Skilled Occupation List?

The Skills Priority List (SPL) is published by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and identifies occupations experiencing labour shortages based on employer surveys and vacancy data. The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is maintained by the Department of Home Affairs and determines which occupations are eligible for specific skilled visa subclasses. They are separate documents — an occupation on the SPL is not automatically on the SOL, and vice versa. Always verify occupation eligibility on the Department of Home Affairs website.

How often is the Skills Priority List updated?

The Skills Priority List is typically updated annually by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, with the most recent update published in late 2025. The department conducts employer surveys, analyses vacancy data, and reviews labour market indicators to determine shortage classifications. Check dewr.gov.au for the most current version.

Does choosing a shortage occupation guarantee a visa?

No. Studying a course aligned with an occupation on the Skills Priority List does not guarantee any visa outcome. Skilled migration applications are assessed by the Department of Home Affairs based on multiple factors including points test score, skills assessment, English proficiency, age, and work experience. This is general information only — consult a registered migration agent at mara.gov.au for advice about your circumstances.

Can international students use the Skills Priority List to choose a course?

The Skills Priority List can be a useful reference when researching study options, as it indicates which fields have current workforce demand in Australia. However, course selection should consider multiple factors including your interests, career goals, financial situation, and long-term plans — not just shortage status. The list changes over time, so a shortage today may not persist throughout your study period.

What qualifications are needed for occupations on the shortage list?

Qualification requirements vary by occupation. Most professional roles require a bachelor degree or higher from a CRICOS-registered institution, while some trade occupations may require Certificate III or IV qualifications. Each occupation also requires a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority (e.g., Engineers Australia for engineering, ANMAC for nursing, ACS for IT). Check the specific assessing authority for detailed qualification requirements.

Skills Shortage List Australia — Occupations in Demand 2026

Let's Go Study Australia is not a registered migration agent and does not provide immigration assistance or migration advice as defined by the Migration Act 1958 (Cth). Information on this website is general in nature. For advice about your specific visa situation, consult a registered migration agent at mara.gov.au or an Australian legal practitioner. This page provides general information about Australia's Skills Priority List and does not constitute migration advice.

Australia's Skills Priority List identifies occupations experiencing national shortages. Maintained by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, this list directly influences skilled migration policy — occupations classified as “in shortage” may receive priority processing and additional points under the General Skilled Migration programme.

Occupations Currently in Shortage

Data from the Skills Priority List published by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. Last updated 2026-03-29.

Occupation	ANZSCO Code	Status	Field	Qualification
Registered Nurse	254411	Shortage	Health	Bachelor of Nursing
Software Engineer	261313	Shortage	Information Technology	Bachelor of IT / Computer Science
Civil Engineer	233211	Shortage	Engineering	Bachelor of Engineering (Civil)
Mechanical Engineer	233512	Shortage	Engineering	Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical)
Electrical Engineer	233311	Shortage	Engineering	Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical)
Early Childhood Teacher	241111	Shortage	Education	Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
Secondary School Teacher	241411	Shortage	Education	Bachelor / Master of Teaching (Secondary)
Midwife	254111	Shortage	Health	Bachelor of Midwifery
Physiotherapist	252511	Shortage	Health	Bachelor / Master of Physiotherapy
Occupational Therapist	252411	Shortage	Health	Bachelor / Master of Occupational Therapy
Accountant	221111	Shortage	Management & Commerce	Bachelor of Accounting / Commerce
Construction Project Manager	133111	Shortage	Architecture & Building	Bachelor of Construction Management
Cybersecurity Analyst	262112	Shortage	Information Technology	Bachelor of Cybersecurity / IT
Data Scientist	224999	Shortage	Information Technology	Master of Data Science
Social Worker	272511	Shortage	Society & Culture	Bachelor / Master of Social Work
Chef	351311	Shortage	Food & Hospitality	Certificate III/IV in Commercial Cookery
Veterinarian	234711	Shortage	Agriculture & Environment	Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Surveyor	232212	Shortage	Architecture & Building	Bachelor of Surveying / Spatial Science

Source: Department of Employment and Workplace Relations — Skills Priority List. Occupation lists are subject to change. Always verify current shortage status at dewr.gov.au.

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