Australia’s Most Wanted: The Most In Demand Jobs for Skilled Migration To Australia 2020-2021 (Updated)

We reveal the top 50 occupations on the Skilled Occupation Shortage List that give you the best chance of getting a PR visa invitation for migrating to Australia.

Jump to the Top 50 Jobs in Demand

 

Getting a skilled migration visa for Australia has never been more challenging. The number of visas issued has been reduced, processing times are slower and UK migrants are facing increasing competition from countries such as India and China. Add to that the disruption from the coronavirus epidemic and it may seem an insurmountable challenge.

However, thousands of people do successfully migrate from the UK to Australia every year and there are still many places available for people with the right skills. So your dream of starting a new life down under is still very achievable – especially if your experience is needed.

We have compiled an updated list of the top 50 jobs most in demand for migrants in Australia for 2020-2021, based on the recently released Occupation Ceilings for the Skilled Migration Shortage List.

Moving to Australia for work

There has always been an attraction for non-Australian residents looking to work there. A lot of that has to do with the lifestyle, the salary and, obviously, the stunning weather. Australia has always had a clear and fair policy on immigration and welcomes migrant workers, so if you are planning a move down under and meet the criteria, you’ll feel more than accepted.

Whilst international travel is currently suspended to Australia, many migrants and job seekers are beginning the application process now in preparation for when the borders re-open – likely sometime in 2021.

In fact, there are thousands of migrant workers who try to apply for a working visa in Australia every year. The best way you can secure employment and a work-based visa, is through the Australian Skilled Migration program. This applies to the occupations listed in the Skilled Occupations List (SOL).

The list is updated regularly by the DoHA and there are at present over 200 occupations on there. This list governs the areas where migrant skilled workers are most sought after in the country, so you can see if your skills are in demand in the Land of Oz.

Although there are a high number of UK migrant workers in the country, it’s important to remember that the list is not just for the UK, but for all over the world. Before we go any further and discuss some of the occupations and industries where there is the most demand for migrant workers, it may be worth explaining what is exactly meant by the term ‘occupation ceilings’, as it’s likely to be unfamiliar to many.

What are Occupation Ceilings?

There is a restriction on the amount of Expression of Interest (EOI) or invites that will be issued by the Australian Government for a particular occupation group. This is what is referred to as the occupation ceilings.

They are basically set to make sure there’s not just a small number of different occupations making up the biggest percentage of the program for skilled migrant workers. Once the cited limit has been met, there will be no additional invitations for the occupation group in question until the next year.

It means that even the lower ranking occupation groups will be able to offer prospective migrants an invitation to work in the country. As the occupation ceilings have been released for 2020-2021, you may be curious to know which jobs are most in demand in Australia for migrant workers.

Although the list below shows the top 50 occupations in terms of volume of invitations, other highly skilled jobs may have less applicants so you still could have a good chance.

The Top 50 Jobs Most In Demand for Migrants in Australia 2020-2021

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 consultant	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

As you can see, there is a wide range of jobs covering every sector you can imagine so, if you are planning your move to Australia in the next year or so, there’s really no limit to the types of professions being accepted – and of course these change year to year.

Even with the reduction in numbers from 2019 (probably due to the coronavirus epidemic), there are still many places and occupations available. Australia needs to kick start their economy and return to economic growth. Many experts believe that inviting migrants to fill skill shortages is one of the best ways to do this.

If you have a certain qualification that is not in demand, then with a top up or booster course you could change your skill level and become eligible to apply for one of the jobs on the list.

For example, if you are a primary school teacher in the UK, you may be able to access a Train to Teach course which will provide you with the needed Qualified Teacher Status to teach secondary school children, a high demand occupation.

Now we’ve looked at the full list for 2020-2021, we’ll run down the top 10 jobs in demand down under and see how you could be setting up your new life in Australia via one of these access routes.

The Top Occupations In Demand in Australia 2020-2021

Nurses and Medical Staff

There are a lot of different factors that come into play and mean that Australia is a suitable destination for any registered nurse or other medical staff looking for somewhere to move to and work. Due to it being a growing industry coupled with the fact that there are quite a number of nurses and medical employees who will be reaching retirement age soon, there is an increased demand for nurses, giving high occupational ceilings for roles in this sector.

The health care industry overall has had the biggest increase and growth in 5 years, and this is expected to continue through to 2022. The occupations in this industry that are the most in demand are registered nurses, disabled and aged carers, personal care workers, receptionists and nursing support.

Software Programmer and IT

There is currently a growing and critical need within the tech industry for software developers of various abilities, such as those experienced in user experience, mobile and back-end design, front end and full stack developers. In fact, according to a report from last year,  9 of the most advertised jobs out of a list of 15 were for UI/UE designers, software engineers and developers.

Trades and Construction

Given that the construction industry always has a demand, especially for technicians and trade workers such as electricians, carpenters, joiners and plumbers, it’s not surprising that these rank so highly on the most in demand list of professions. There has also been a demand for non-skilled labourers too. So, if you are experienced in this kind of work, you will have an easier time getting work.

Teachers

Although in the past there was a huge demand for migrant primary school teachers in Australia, that has changed in recent years. There are still options for migrants looking to work in teaching though, particularly in secondary schools in more regional parts of the country. That is why it still ranks so highly in the occupational ceilings list.

It is even the case that many qualified teachers from Australia need to go out to the regional parts of the country for their first employer. Within this group, the least in demand is undoubtedly inner city female primary school teachers.

White Collar Management/Professionals

Just as is the case with software developers, there is a growing demand for various white-collar management and professional positions. Including the likes of those involved in marketing, advertising and accounting. Therefore, if you have experience and qualifications in these kinds of positions, you are likely to find it easier landing a job.

Migration has always favoured skilled workers in Australia, so if you have a management or professional role  or skill involved in this area, you are in good standing for employment.

Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers

Motor mechanics are in demand all across Australia and if you are in a specialist area such as automotive electrician, automatic transmission mechanic, automotive air-conditioning mechanic or brake mechanic, even better.

This category also includes other trades such as metal machinists, sheet metal workers, panel beaters, welders, fitters and metal fabricators, although demand for particular specialisations varies across different Australian states.

Engineers

Although it may not feature as highly in the list of the industry and professions with the most demand for migrant workers, there is still huge demand for skilled and qualified engineers of all kinds.

This includes mechanical, industrial, electronics, transport and electrical engineers.

Farmers

Whilst, like many Western countries, Australia has a demand for temporary farm labourers to help with mundane tasks such as crop picking, there are also many opportunities for more highly skilled agricultural workers.

No matter whether you’re a dairy or mixed crop farmer you’ll find farming on an unimaginable scale in Australia with good salaries to match.

However, this year the number of livestock farmers on the list has been cut from 5934 in 2019 to 0. It is in fact the only job category to be removed from the list so we are wondering whether is an administrative error as farmers and agricultural workers are still needed in Australia.

Other occupations on the skilled migration list 2020-2021

In total there are over 200 occupations listed on the Skilled Migration list, including some specialist jobs with low ceilings where you may still have a good chance of being accepted if you have the right specialist skills and there are fewer people applying.

Here is a list of some such occupations:

Job Category	Occupation ID	Occupation Ceiling 2020-21	Change From 2019
Actuaries, Mathematicians and Statisticians	2241	1,000	0
Agricultural and Forestry Scientists	2341	1,000	0
Automotive Electricians	3211	1,000	0
Barristers	2711	1,000	0
Boat Builders and Shipwrights	3991	1,000	0
Cartographers and Surveyors	2322	1,000	0
Chemical and Materials Engineers	2331	1,000	0
Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists	2342	1,000	0
Child Care Centre Managers	1341	1,000	0
Chiropractors and Osteopaths	2521	1,000	0
Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians	3122	1,000	0
Economists	2243	1,000	0
Electrical Distribution Trades Workers	3422	1,000	0
Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians	3123	1,000	0
Electronics Engineers	2334	1,000	0
Geologists, Geophysicists and Hydrogeologists	2344	1,000	0
Glaziers	3331	1,000	0
Internal Medicine Specialists	2533	1,000	0
Land Economists and Valuers	2245	1,000	0
Life Scientists	2345	1,000	0
Mining Engineers	2336	1,000	0
Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers	2612	1,000	0
Music Professionals	2112	1,000	0
Optometrists and Orthoptists	2514	1,000	0
Other Engineering Professionals	2339	1,000	0
Other Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals	2519	1,000	0
Panelbeaters	3241	1,000	0
Podiatrists	2526	1,000	0
Precision Metal Trades Workers	3233	1,000	0
Psychiatrists	2534	1,000	0
Sheetmetal Trades Workers	3222	1,000	0
Speech Professionals and Audiologists	2527	1,000	0
Sportspersons	4524	1,000	0
Surgeons	2535	1,000	0
Telecommunications Engineering Professionals	2633	1,000	0
Telecommunications Technical Specialists	3132	1,000	0
Veterinarians	2347	1,000	0

Occupations with increased demand in 2021

Despite the coronavirus and challenging economic outlook, some occupations have actually increased in demand.

As you might expect these include a lot of medical and health workers, but also teachers and many job categories in the construction industry.

Rank	Job Category	Occupation ID	Occupation Ceiling 2020-21	Increase From 2019
1	Construction Managers	1331	7,145	2,162
2	University Lecturers and Tutors	2421	5,042	1,635
3	Other Specialist Managers	1399	4,188	1,144
4	Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers	2335	2,682	1,082
5	Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers	2411	3,321	1,027
6	Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers	3223	4,866	883
7	Plumbers	3341	5,861	801
8	Electronics Trades Workers	3423	2,047	734
9	General Practitioners and Resident Medical officers	2531	4,257	707
10	Secondary School Teachers	2414	8,716	664
11	Special Education Teachers	2415	1,721	610
12	Engineering Managers	1332	1,474	474
13	Occupational Therapists	2524	1,461	379
14	Registered Nurses	2544	17,859	350
15	Electrical Engineers	2333	1,348	348
16	Animal Attendants and Trainers	3611	1,239	188
17	Civil Engineering Professionals	2332	3,919	147
18	Midwives	2541	1,333	115
19	Bricklayers and Stonemasons	3311	1,712	102
20	Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers	2212	1,619	67
21	Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals	2349	1,056	56
22	Medical Laboratory Scientists	2346	1,536	31

Occupations with decreased demand in 2021

Naturally witht he current recession and highest unemloyment in a generation, many job categories have seen reduced demand for 2021.

However, on the bright side they are still in demand and you only need one job, so if you have any of these skills and dream of starting a new life in Australia, then it is well worth applying.

Below are the top 20 occupations with most reduced demand in 2020-2021 compared to 2019.

Rank	Job Category	Occupation ID	Occupation Ceiling 2020-2021	Change From 2019
1	Livestock Farmers	1213	0	-5,934
2	Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials	4523	1,262	-2,809
3	Accountants	2211	1,000	-1,746
4	Carpenters and Joiners	3312	6,812	-1,724
5	Motor Mechanics	3212	5,205	-1,194
6	Management consultant	2247	4,526	-743
7	Architects and Landscape Architects	2321	1,452	-719
8	Wall and Floor Tilers	3334	1,000	-682
9	Metal Fitters and Machinists	3232	6,335	-672
10	Plasterers	3332	1,452	-648
11	Electricians	3411	8,021	-603
12	Chefs	3513	2,256	-482
13	Cabinetmakers	3941	1,694	-418
14	Software and Applications Programmers*	2613	8,405	-343
15	ICT Business and Systems Analysts*	2611	2,273	-314
16	Computer Network Professionals*	2631	2,245	-308
17	Psychologists	2723	1,545	-287
18	Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics	3421	1,581	-270
19	Social Workers	2725	1,862	-266
20	Database and Systems Administrators and ICT Security Specialists	2621	2,667	-220

How to get a visa if your occupation is not on the list

Before you submit your Expression of Interest form it is very important that you do your research and seek advice from experts. Our article on How to make a successful EOI application on Skillselect will help you get started. It also provides contact details for reliable registered MARA visa agents.

Don’t despair if your role is not on the most wanted list or if you don’t receive an invitation.

These occupation ceilings do not apply to State or Territory Nominated, Employer Sponsored or Business Innovation and Investment visa subclasses. So don’t panic if your job is not on the list – there may be other options available.

The best route to getting a visa is being sponsored by an employer. The Employer Nomination Scheme visa lets skilled workers, who are nominated by their employer, live and work in Australia permanently. If you have a job offer it greatly increases your chances of success.

PSS International Removals are in touch with a number of employers and recruiters actively looking to find skilled workers in the UK looking to move either to Australia or elsewhere in the world.

If you would like us to put you in touch, then complete this form on our website detailing your skills and requirements. We will then forward your details in confidence and we take no payment for this service.

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