Emigration Focus: Most In-Demand Jobs in Australia

Moving from the UK to Australia for work is a popular option– English is the official language, and cities around the country are bustling with opportunities and activity.

The nature of this activity has changed significantly over recent years, however, and Australia’s labour market now has new priorities.

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the most in-demand skills in Australia to get your job hunting off to the best start.

What Do the Stats Say About Aussie Jobs?

Recent census data from 2016 shows that some Australian jobs are seeing an explosion in popularity, while others are falling back.

The 2016 census has shown that services, health and beauty are seeing growing numbers of applications, while the manufacturing sector has been dropping off.

Summarising the changes seen in Australian working practices, demographer Mark McCrindle says;

‘The declines in manufacturing employment are unprecedented. You’ve got an increasing shift from full-time work to part-time or casual work, and that’s all creating a weaker employment market.

Young people now are more susceptible to the gig economy because the service sector jobs are more fluid and there are more freelance roles’.

Around a third of Australians in employment work part-time, with many using the freedom this creates to take two different positions.

The nature of Australian visas means it’s far easier to emigrate to the nation if your skills are in demand – although it was recently announced that Australia will be dropping its 457 skilled migrant visa.

Australia has also cut 200 occupations from its Skilled Occupation List, but there are still plenty of in-demand professions.

Kitchens, Cleaning and Coffee – Hospitality

Hospitality careers are near the top of the list in terms of Australian jobs with shortages, with a large number of openings for kitchen staff, cleaners and resort workers.

There are also more niche positions in the sector which need filling, such as beauticians, baristas and pizza cooks.

Higher up the ladder, shift managers are more difficult roles to fill due to the need for the ability to manage staff and customer expectations at the same time.

There might be the assumption that the hospitality sector is only limited to seasonal work or low-paid roles, but not everyone follows this train of thought.

Commenting on the opportunities of working in the hospitality sector, Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan says;

‘It’s a full-time career that can be as lucrative and opportunistic as being a lawyer or accountant.

It’s a sector that can accommodate a lot of professions and demands a great diversity of skills’.

There is little surprise that the hospitality sector has absorbed so many workers, given that it is growing rapidly and accounts for around 1.4m workers across Australia.

Using the Tools of the Trade – Skill-Based Careers

Shops and kitchens aren’t the only place to find Australian jobs shortages, however; other difficult positions to fill include skilled trade roles like glaziers, plasterers and carpenters.

The construction industry employs over 900,000 people across the country, more than the smaller scientific and technical industry at under 800,000.

Carpenters and joiners alone account for over 100,000 employed males across Australia.

Further proving the viability of putting acquired skills to practical use, the Australian government’s own demanded-skills list features plenty of building-based professions.

Healthy Body, Healthy Wallet? – Fitness

Combining personal health and leadership abilities, jobs like fitness instructors and personal trainers are becoming increasingly popular in Australia.

Explaining the appeal of smaller workout sessions has been Zanna Faets, Owner of Sydney-based ZC Fitness;

‘Some people still enjoy large gyms, but a lot of people are looking for a more personalised approach.

Clients want a boutique and personal approach to their fitness, that’s why it has grown so much.

In terms of fitness with women, social media has played a big role in booming the industry. With Instagram, people are more aware of being active and healthy, it motivates people’.

There will always be a demand for instruction in healthier lifestyles, and fitness aficionados can further boost their appeal by specialising in areas like diet advice and equipment development.

Visa – The Technicalities of Entering Australia for Work

Once you have an idea of the kind of job you’re aiming to aquire in Australia, it’s worth noting that the country has a fairly complex visa system for potential entrants.

Heading to Oz for work can be accomplished through a number of visas, with some being points-assessed.

Some visas need sponsorship before they are granted, while others are only available for applicants under a certain age.

Thankfully, the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection has a chart on its website that helps you decide what kind of visa you might need!

In a broad sense, major cities like Perth, Sydney and Melbourne may offer the most job opportunities, but you must also expect there to be more competition for roles in highly populated areas.

 

As the domestic jobs market changes, new skills shortages might emerge while other markets could become over-saturated, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the Skilled Occupation List.

You may also want to check out our article looking at some of the visa options for moving to the country!

Category Emigrating

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