Australia’s most in-demand jobs have been revealed by the federal government – with trades and white collar roles making the list, including carpenters and childcare workers.

The latest Skills Priority List found 36 per cent of occupations are currently “in shortage” amid the tightest labour market conditions in decades, with unemployment at a low 3.7 per cent.

In total, 66 new occupations have made the annual skill shortage list in 2023, including accountants, pilots, engineers and even illustrators.

But technicians and trade workers remain the most in-demand more broadly, with 50 per cent of occupations in the category experiencing labour scarcity.

White-collar jobs also made the list, including IT professionals and marketers.

Jobs and Skills Australia, which published the skills priority list this week, said worker shortages have worsened for three years in a row, with the most acute problems happening in regional and remote areas across Australia.

“[It’s] being driven by the continued tightness in labour market conditions,” the agency said.

“While underlying drivers of shortages can vary across occupations, it is anticipated that these shortages reflect either a lack of people who have the essential technical skills or other (non-technical) qualities that employers consider are important.”

Chefs, bricklayers and hairdressers

The astonishing part about the 2023 list is how many occupations are in shortage across the economy; with everything from the construction industry to care sectors affected.

Australia does not have enough chefs, plumbers, bricklayers, tilers, bakers or even hairdressers.

Swimming coaches are in short supply, as are travel agents, bus drivers and upholsterers.

The list is worthwhile reading for anyone looking to switch careers or up-skill in areas of demand. The current state of the jobs market means there are in-demand jobs to suit a range of interests and education levels.

Career coach Rosie Nelson said that while demand is one factor jobseekers typically consider when searching for a new career, it’s not the only thing.

She said factors influencing jobseeker decision-making is “constantly changing” particularly after COVID when remote work became a bigger priority, leading to people looking for careers with more flexibility.

Work with a purpose

Likewise, growing awareness of global issues like climate change has driven a bigger proportion of jobseekers to look for careers with a purpose.

“Does growth in an industry play a part in their decision-making? I think, yes, it does. It is good to know there are likely lots of opportunities,” Nelson said. “But it’s not the most important thing.”

Jobs and Skills Australia touched on those points in analysis around poor retention rates, and how that has contributed to skills shortages.

It suggested bosses could improve workplace conditions and provide more professional development to attract workers.

And, of course, higher pay helps draw people to in-demand jobs too, the agency said.

Nelson said many of the roles on the skill shortage list are known for being “low paid” roles, suggesting a link between compensation and labour supply.

Unemployment to rise

The jobs market is expected to soften in coming years as the economy slows in response to higher interest rates, but that shouldn’t necessarily make the most in-demand jobs change.

Indeed, the roles that top the list have been in shortage for the best part of the last decade, particularly aged care and early childhood education workers, as well as nurses and midwives.

What’s more recent since COVID-19 are severe shortages of tradespeople, with the huge surge in construction demand making everyone from carpenters to electricians and plumbers needed.