Which occupations are in demand in Australia in 2021?

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!

Begin your Australia PR journey by getting your score from our Australia Skilled Immigration Points Calculator.