Australia is currently facing a severe labour shortage across multiple industries, leading to massive recruitment drives to attract workers from overseas. With over 480,100 job vacancies in May 2022, the demand for workers far exceeds the available supply.
Key factors contributing to this shortage include an aging population, early retirements during the pandemic, and reduced immigration over the past few years.
The Australian government has responded by easing visa restrictions and offering incentives for skilled migrants. For expat workers, this presents an excellent opportunity to relocate to Australia and advance their careers.
Industries Facing Critical Shortages
The labour shortage is especially acute in these key industries:
- Healthcare – With an aging population and pandemic-related resignations, there is a major shortfall of nurses, doctors, aged care workers and other medical staff.
- Hospitality & Tourism – Bars, hotels and restaurants are struggling after lockdowns and border closures. There is urgent demand for chefs, waiters, housekeeping staff etc.
- Construction – Major infrastructure projects and a housing boom has increased demand for tradespeople like electricians, plumbers and carpenters.
- Transport & Logistics – Keeping supermarket shelves stocked and deliveries moving requires more drivers, warehouse workers, forklift operators etc.
- Education – Teacher shortages across schools, vocational training and universities have created thousands of vacancies.
- Technology – High-growth sectors like renewable energy, mining and IT need more engineers, developers and technicians.
New Visa Conditions
To fill urgent skills shortages, the Australian government has introduced more flexible visa conditions including:
- Removal of work experience requirements – Temporary graduate visa holders no longer need professional year programs or work experience for permanent residency.
- Priority visa processing – Applications in healthcare, teaching, engineering and other high-demand fields will be fast-tracked.
- Increased visa seats – The annual cap on skilled migrant visas has been raised by 35,000 to 195,000 places.
- Expanded job-ready programs – Graduates can now access employer-sponsored pathways across more occupations.
While visa fees increased slightly, these changes make it much easier for migrant workers to stay long-term and fill vacant roles.
Top Recruitment Areas
The locations with the most job vacancies are Sydney and Melbourne, followed by other state capitals like Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
Regional cities and rural towns are also recruiting workers in healthcare, hospitality and agriculture. In-demand positions span both white-collar and blue-collar occupations. Here is a sample of roles with large numbers of openings:
- Registered Nurses
- Software Developers
- Cafe & Restaurant Managers
- Civil Engineers
- Electricians
- Carpenters & Joiners
- Truck Drivers
- Childcare Workers
- Secondary School Teachers
- Aged & Disabled Carers
Cost-Effective Relocation Tips
While moving internationally can be expensive, here are some tips for keeping costs low when relocating to Australia:
Save on Flights
- Use flight comparison sites – Compare airfares across different airlines and travel sites like Expedia, Skyscanner and Webjet. Sign up for price alerts.
- Fly budget airlines – Carriers like Jetstar, Scoot and AirAsia offer cheaper fares, especially when booked in advance.
- Travel light – Check baggage allowances and avoid excess fees. Ship heavy/non-essential items separately.
Reduce Accommodation Costs
- Share housing – Splitting rent and bills in a house or apartment can significantly lower living expenses.
- Corporate housing – Some employers provide temporary housing or arrange discounted rates at serviced apartments.
- Work camps – For rural/regional areas, workers may stay free or cheaply at on-site caravan parks or motels.
Save on Everyday Living
- Use public transport – Avoid financing a car by taking trains, buses and ferries, which are fairly extensive.
- Buy second-hand goods – Furniture, electronics and household items can be found inexpensively on Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace and op shops.
- Bring enough funds – Have at least 6 months of living costs accessible, as finding work takes time. Reduce withdrawals from Australian ATMs which charge high fees.
Job Opportunities Abound
Australia’s labour crisis means recruiters are desperately seeking workers, fast-tracking visas and offering incentives for candidates willing to relocate Down Under. Both temporary and long-term prospects exist across fields like healthcare, education, construction and food services.
Savvy migrants who secure sponsored visas can transition to permanent residency fairly seamlessly under current policy settings. By following the budget relocation tips outlined, you can keep your moving costs to a minimum while pursuing enhanced career options.
So if you have skills and experience in demand, there is no better time to make the move! With some preparation and financial planning, you can land on Australian shores and hit the ground running towards greater job satisfaction and stability.
READ MORE:
Australia facing nursing shortage as more than two years of COVID takes its toll
Breaking Point: The real cost of Australia’s worker shortage
Nursing Shortage on the Cards Due to Pandemic
