Australia is one of the most sought-after destinations for skilled immigrants looking at lucrative jobs opportunities overseas. If you are thinking of moving to Australia as a skilled foreign worker somewhere in the near future, knowing as to which occupations are in demand in Australia in 2021 can help you in taking the call, so to speak.
A good standard of living, impressive employment potential, great locales, and a generally laid-back attitude to life at large – there is indeed much that Australia has to offer to attract people from all over the world.
The job outlook for 2021 indicates that there will be a demand for workers in the following sectors:
Healthcare industry
The healthcare industry in Australia has had the biggest increase and growth in 5 years, and this is expected to continue in 2021. The occupations that are the most in demand in this sector are registered nurses, nursing support workers, disabled and aged care givers, personal care workers and receptionists.
Software industry
There will be openings for software developers who have skills in the areas of user experience, mobile design, front end and full stack development.
Trades and construction industry
There will be a demand for professionals such as electricians, carpenters, plumbers, and joiners. There is also a demand for non-skilled workers as well.
Education sector
There will be job openings for teachers in secondary schools more so in the regional parts of the country. This is the reason it ranks high in the occupation ceilings list.
Management professionals
Professionals in marketing, advertising and accounting will be in demand. Skilled professionals in these occupations have a better chance.
Automotive and engineering trades sector
Professionals such as motor mechanics, automotive electricians, automatic transmission mechanics, automotive air-conditioning mechanics will be in demand. Those skilled in various engineering trades such as sheet metal workers, panel beaters, welders, fitters and metal fabricators, will be required across various states in Australia.
Engineering sector
There will be a demand for engineers from various fields. This will include mechanical, industrial, electronics, transport and electrical engineers.
Farming sector
There will always be a demand for temporary workers in farms for tasks such as crop picking, and there are also opportunities for highly skilled agricultural workers.
Based on the “Occupation Ceilings” on the occupation groups for the 2020-21 program year, the occupations in demand in Australia in 2021 can be said to be the following –
Rank |
Job Category |
Occupation ID |
Occupation Ceiling 2020-21 |
Change From 2019 |
| 1 | Registered Nurses | 2544 | 17,859 | 350 |
| 2 | Secondary School Teachers | 2414 | 8,716 | 664 |
| 3 | Software and Applications Programmers | 2613 | 8,405 | -343 |
| 4 | Electricians | 3411 | 8,021 | -603 |
| 5 | Construction Managers | 1331 | 7,145 | 2,162 |
| 6 | Carpenters and Joiners | 3312 | 6,812 | -1,724 |
| 7 | Metal Fitters and Machinists | 3232 | 6,335 | -672 |
| 8 | Plumbers | 3341 | 5,861 | 801 |
| 9 | Motor Mechanics | 3212 | 5,205 | -1,194 |
| 10 | University Lecturers and Tutors | 2421 | 5,042 | 1,635 |
| 11 | Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers | 3223 | 4,866 | 883 |
| 12 | Solicitors | 2713 | 4,535 | -115 |
| 13 | Management consultants | 2247 | 4,526 | -743 |
| 14 | General Practitioners and Resident Medical officers | 2531 | 4,257 | 707 |
| 15 | Other Specialist Managers | 1399 | 4,188 | 1,144 |
| 16 | Civil Engineering Professionals | 2332 | 3,919 | 147 |
| 17 | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers | 2411 | 3,321 | 1,027 |
| 18 | Painting Trades Workers | 3322 | 3,303 | -27 |
| 19 | Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers | 2335 | 2,682 | 1,082 |
| 20 | Database and Systems Administrators and ICT Security Specialists | 2621 | 2,667 | -220 |
| 21 | ICT Business and Systems Analysts | 2611 | 2,273 | -314 |
| 22 | Chefs | 3513 | 2,256 | -482 |
| 23 | Computer Network Professionals | 2631 | 2,245 | -308 |
| 24 | Electronics Trades Workers | 3423 | 2,047 | 734 |
| 25 | Social Workers | 2725 | 1,862 | -266 |
| 26 | Special Education Teachers | 2415 | 1,721 | 610 |
| 27 | Bricklayers and Stonemasons | 3311 | 1,712 | 102 |
| 28 | Cabinetmakers | 3941 | 1,694 | -418 |
| 29 | Physiotherapists | 2525 | 1,685 | -99 |
| 30 | Health and Welfare Services Managers | 1342 | 1,666 | -119 |
| 31 | Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers | 2212 | 1,619 | 67 |
| 32 | Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics | 3421 | 1,581 | -270 |
| 33 | Psychologists | 2723 | 1,545 | -287 |
| 34 | Medical Laboratory Scientists | 2346 | 1,536 | 31 |
| 35 | Engineering Managers | 1332 | 1,474 | 474 |
| 36 | Occupational Therapists | 2524 | 1,461 | 379 |
| 37 | Architects and Landscape Architects | 2321 | 1,452 | -719 |
| 38 | Plasterers | 3332 | 1,452 | -648 |
| 39 | Electrical Engineers | 2333 | 1,348 | 348 |
| 40 | Midwives | 2541 | 1,333 | 115 |
| 41 | Environmental Scientists | 2343 | 1,295 | -177 |
| 42 | Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials | 4523 | 1,262 | -2,809 |
| 43 | Animal Attendants and Trainers | 3611 | 1,239 | 188 |
| 44 | Other Medical Practitioners | 2539 | 1,168 | -82 |
| 45 | Medical Imaging Professionals | 2512 | 1,161 | -42 |
| 46 | Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals | 2349 | 1,056 | 56 |
| 47 | Accountants | 2211 | 1,000 | -1,746 |
| 48 | Wall and Floor Tilers | 3334 | 1,000 | -682 |
| 49 | Artistic Directors, and Media Producers and Presenters | 2121 | 1,000 | -98 |
| 50 | Actors, Dancers and Other Entertainers | 2111 | 1,000 | 0 |
An ‘occupation ceiling’ means a limit on the total number of Expression of Interests (EOIs) that can be selected for skilled migration from any particular occupation group.
Once the occupation limit is reached for any specific occupation, no further invitations will be received for the same for that program year.
In such a scenario of the occupation ceiling being reached, invitations will then be alternatively issued to those interested in migrating to Australia from other occupations groups even if they have a low ranking on the score calculator.
Even though above list shows the top 50 occupations in terms of demand. Other highly skilled jobs will also be there which will have a lesser number of applicants. You will have a chance if you belong to any of them.
The number of job openings is lesser compared to 2019 due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, still there are considerable number of jobs available for those with the required qualifications.
The job outlook for 2021 promises a range of jobs in different sectors and you have good chances if you are planning to move to Australia for work. If you are seriously considering settling down in Australia, there is no better time to apply than now!
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