The Morrison Government has for the first time released a nationally anchored assessment of Australia’s labour market analysis on occupations through the Skills Priority List.
The List, developed through the National Skills Commission, provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for occupations nationally, with current labour market ratings also available at a state and territory level.
Today, over 150 occupations face current skill shortages nationally, most commonly for Technicians and Trades Workers occupations, followed by Professionals, Machinery Operators and Drivers, Managers, as well as Community and Personal Service Workers.
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert, said by developing and releasing the Skills Priority List, the Morrison Government is continuing its national leadership on securing Australia’s workforce.
‘The Skills Priority List provides a vital and honest picture of where Australia is at when it comes to skills and it will be used to help steer our ongoing national leadership in securing Australia’s workforce,’ Minister Robert said.
‘It is encouraging to see more Australians in work today than before the pandemic and while it is clear the economy is facing workforce challenges there are still over one million Australians on a primary welfare payment—we need to help these Australians get into jobs or get into training,’
‘The List also validates the Morrison Government’s plan for jobs, supported through a record $6.4 billion in skills funding to address skills shortages. It is clear our plan is working’.
The Skills Priority List will inform a range of government policy responses, including targeting of apprenticeship incentives, training funding and skilled migration. It is supported and developed by extensive data and analysis including labour market data analysis, employer surveys and stakeholder consultation with representative bodies and federal, state and territory government agencies.
The Skills Priority List can be found at https://www.nationalskillscommission.gov.au/our-work/skills-priority-list