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Introduction
Australia’s job market is shifting. Some occupations are growing at a pace the country has rarely seen before. Others are shrinking because of automation and changing industry needs.
If you are a student figuring out your career path, a professional thinking about upskilling, or someone planning to work or migrate to Australia, knowing which jobs are actually in demand matters a lot. It helps you make decisions that hold up five or ten years from now, not just today.
The National Skills Commission (NSC), an official Australian Government body, published detailed employment projections covering job growth from November 2021 to November 2026. The data covers over 350 occupations across all major industries. It is one of the most comprehensive official snapshots of where Australia’s workforce is heading.
The findings are clear. Service industries are leading the way. High-skill jobs are growing faster than low-skill ones. And more than nine out of ten new jobs will require some form of post-secondary qualification.
In this article, we break down the data by industry and occupation so you can see exactly where the opportunities are. We also cover what these trends mean if you are planning to build a career in Australia or explore skilled migration pathways.
Why Knowing Australia’s In-Demand Jobs Matters
Understanding which jobs are growing in Australia is useful for several reasons.
For students and career changers, it helps you pick a field that has long-term prospects rather than one that is declining.
For skilled workers already in Australia, it tells you which directions are worth upskilling toward.
For people exploring migration, in-demand occupations often align with Australia’s skilled occupation lists. These lists determine which visa pathways are available to you. Occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) generally have more migration options than those that are not.
The projections discussed in this article are based on official data from the National Skills Commission. Always check the Department of Home Affairs for the current skilled occupation lists, as these are updated regularly and reflect real-time labour market needs.
Overview of Australia’s Job Growth Projections to November 2026
The NSC employment projections show strong and broad-based job growth across Australia. But growth is not evenly spread. Four service industries alone account for nearly two-thirds of all projected new jobs.
Industry | Projected New Jobs |
Health Care and Social Assistance | 301,000 |
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 206,600 |
Education and Training | 149,600 |
Accommodation and Food Services | 112,400 |
That said, growth is happening across many industries, not just these four. But the scale of healthcare and professional services growth stands out. These two industries alone are adding over half a million jobs.
Most In-Demand Occupational Groups in Australia
Most In-Demand Professionals in Australia: The Fastest Growing Occupation Group
The Professionals category is growing faster than any other group. The NSC projects an increase of 494,200 workers, which is a 14.7% growth rate over the five-year period.
This makes professionals the single most important occupational group in Australia’s labour market right now.
Within this category, some of the standout occupations by growth percentage include:
- Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists (+38.9%)
- Management and Organisation Analysts (+32.2%)
- Software and Applications Programmers (+27.0%)
- Audiologists and Speech Pathologists (+strong growth)
- Physiotherapists (+strong growth)
Community and Personal Service Jobs in High Demand Across Australia
The second largest growing group is Community and Personal Service Workers, with a projected increase of 188,900 workers (13.5%).
This growth is driven largely by Australia’s ageing population and rising demand for care services. Occupations in this category include aged and disabled carers, welfare support workers, and complementary health therapists.
Managers and Technicians Also Showing Solid Growth in Australia
Beyond the top two groups, the NSC data shows steady growth across several other categories:
Occupational Group | Projected Growth (%) |
Professionals | 14.7% |
Community and Personal Service Workers | 13.5% |
Managers | 9.2% |
Labourers | 6.9% |
Technicians and Trades | 6.1% |
Machinery Operators and Drivers | 4.7% |
Clerical and Administrative | 3.9% |
Sales | 3.3% |
Most In-Demand Jobs in Australia by Occupation
Healthcare Jobs in Highest Demand in Australia
Healthcare is the single biggest contributor to Australia’s job growth. With an ageing population and expanding public health infrastructure, demand for health workers is consistent and long-term.
Key occupations with strong projected growth:
Occupation | Projected New Jobs | Growth % |
Aged and Disabled Carers | +74,900 | +28.0% |
Registered Nurses | +40,400 | +13.9% |
Physiotherapists | Strong growth | ~30% |
Audiologists and Speech Pathologists | Strong growth | ~30% |
Podiatrists | Strong growth | ~30% |
Welfare Support Workers | Strong growth | ~25% |
Registered nursing, physiotherapy, and aged care are occupations that consistently appear on Australia’s skilled occupation lists. If your background is in healthcare, Australia’s labour market is actively looking for people with your skills.
Technology and ICT Jobs in Highest Demand in Australia
Technology is the other major growth story. The NSC data shows STEM jobs growing at 14.2%, which is almost twice the rate of non-STEM jobs at 7.4%.
The occupations with the strongest numbers:
Occupation | Projected New Jobs | Growth % |
Software and Applications Programmers | +42,200 | +27.0% |
Database and Systems Admins and ICT Security Specialists | +29,100 | +38.9% |
ICT Support and Test Engineers | Strong growth | ~40% |
ICT Trainers | Strong growth | ~30% |
Management and Organisation Analysts | +28,200 | +32.2% |
ICT Security Specialists have one of the highest growth rates of any occupation in the entire dataset. As Australia’s digital infrastructure grows, so does the need to protect it.
Business and Professional Services Jobs Showing Strong Demand in Australia
Professional services are a major employment engine. The sector is projected to add over 206,000 jobs across the five-year period.
Key occupations in this space:
- Accountants (moderate but steady growth)
- Human Resource Managers (projected growth ~15%)
- Solicitors (projected growth ~20%)
- Management and Organisation Analysts (+32.2%)
For accountants specifically, growth is solid but more moderate compared to tech and healthcare. The professional year programs in accounting and IT can add extra weight to your career or migration pathway in Australia. You can learn more about the Professional Year Program in Australia and how it benefits your points score.
Education Jobs Growing in Demand Across Australia
Education is the third largest industry for job growth, with 149,600 new jobs projected. This reflects population growth, migration, and increased investment in early childhood and vocational education.
ICT Trainers and specialised educators are among those seeing the fastest growth within this sector.
Jobs in Australia That Are Declining in Demand
Not every occupation is growing. The NSC data clearly identifies several roles with a declining outlook, mostly due to automation and digital transformation.
These include:
- Secretaries (projected decline)
- Bookkeepers (projected decline)
- Bank Workers (projected decline)
- Telemarketers (significant projected decline)
- Keyboard Operators (projected decline)
- Retail Supervisors (near flat or slight decline)
- Tourism and Travel Advisers (projected decline)
- Printers (projected decline)
These roles share a common pattern. Most involve routine or process-based tasks that are increasingly handled by software or automation. If your occupation falls into this category, it is worth considering whether upskilling or a career shift makes sense for your long-term goals.
What 90% of New Jobs Requiring Qualifications Means for Your Career in Australia
One of the most important findings from the NSC data is this:
More than nine out of ten new jobs in Australia will require post-secondary qualifications.
This is not just about degrees. It includes vocational qualifications, diplomas, certificates, and trade credentials. But it signals clearly that unskilled work is not where job growth is concentrated.
For anyone planning to work in Australia, having a recognised qualification is becoming less optional and more essential.
For skilled migrants, this also matters directly. Australia’s points-based migration system rewards higher qualifications with more points, which can mean the difference between receiving an invitation and waiting indefinitely.
In-Demand Jobs in Australia and the Skilled Migration Connection
If your occupation is on Australia’s skilled occupation lists, you may be eligible for skilled migration pathways. The most common visa subclasses for skilled workers are:
Visa | Description |
Points-tested, no employer or state sponsor needed | |
State or territory nominated, permanent residence | |
Regional nomination, provisional with PR pathway |
Occupations on the MLTSSL are eligible for all three subclasses. Occupations only on the STSOL or ROL have more limited options.
Invitation rounds happen through SkillSelect, and the points score you hold determines when and whether you receive an invitation. Use the Think Higher Visa Points Calculator to check where your score stands.
Always verify your occupation’s current list status on the official Home Affairs Skilled Occupation List page before submitting your Expression of Interest.
Skills Assessment: The First Step for In-Demand Occupation Migrants to Australia
Before you can lodge an EOI in SkillSelect, you need a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority for your occupation.
Occupation Category | Assessing Body |
IT and ICT roles | |
Engineers | |
Nurses | |
Accountants (CPA pathway) | |
Physiotherapists | |
Wide range of professional occupations | |
Teachers | |
Social Workers | |
Trades |
Getting the right assessment from the right body is critical. Choosing the wrong assessing authority is one of the most common and costly mistakes applicants make. Our MARA-registered migration agent can confirm the correct pathway for your specific occupation and qualifications.
English Requirements for Working and Migrating to Australia
Strong English skills are essential for working in Australia, and required for most skilled visa applications.
PTE Academic is one of the most widely accepted English tests for Australian visas. The current score requirements from August 7, 2025 are:
Level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
Competent | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 |
Proficient | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
Superior | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 |
Higher English scores earn more points in the migration points test. Proficient English adds 10 points to your score. Superior English adds 20 points.
If you are preparing for PTE, PTEClasses.com offers AI-powered practice tools you can use anytime to work toward your target score.
Frequently Asked Questions about In-Demand Jobs in Australia
Q: Which jobs are in highest demand in Australia right now? Based on official NSC projections, the highest demand occupations include aged and disabled carers, registered nurses, software programmers, ICT security specialists, and management analysts. Healthcare and technology are the two standout sectors by volume and growth rate.
Q: Are in-demand jobs in Australia good for migration purposes? Often yes, but it depends on whether your specific occupation is on Australia’s skilled occupation list. Being in a high-demand field generally improves your chances of state nomination and receiving an invitation through SkillSelect. Always check the current list at the Department of Home Affairs.
Q: Do I need an Australian qualification to work in a high-demand job in Australia? Not always. Many in-demand occupations accept overseas qualifications, but they must be assessed by the relevant Australian skills assessing body. The assessment confirms your qualifications are comparable to Australian standards.
Q: What if my job is declining in Australia? Can I still migrate? A declining employment outlook does not automatically close migration pathways. Some occupations with moderate or declining growth are still on skilled occupation lists. Your individual points score and the current invitation rounds matter more than the general trend. A migration agent can assess your specific profile.
Q: How do I know my points score for skilled migration in Australia? You can check your current estimated points using the Think Higher Visa Points Calculator. For a full assessment, speak with a registered migration agent.
Q: Is STEM a good field to target for working in Australia? Yes. The NSC data shows STEM jobs growing at 14.2%, nearly twice the rate of non-STEM roles. ICT roles in particular are showing some of the highest growth percentages of any occupation in Australia.
Summary: Key Takeaways on In-Demand Jobs in Australia
- Healthcare and professional services are driving the most job growth in Australia
- Aged carers, registered nurses, software programmers, and ICT security specialists are among the fastest growing occupations
- STEM jobs are growing at nearly double the rate of non-STEM jobs
- More than 90% of new jobs will require post-secondary qualifications
- Declining occupations are largely those involving routine tasks susceptible to automation
- In-demand occupations often overlap with Australia’s skilled migration occupation lists
If you are planning your career or migration journey and want to understand how your occupation fits into Australia’s labour market, our MARA-registered migration agent at Think Higher Consultants can review your profile and outline the most suitable pathway.
Book your free assessment today or contact us directly to get started.