Jobs in Demand in Australia 2026 – Which Sectors Are Hiring and Why
The jobs in demand in Australia 2026 are concentrated in five sectors, engineering, technology, healthcare, trades, and education. This has not occurred previously in terms of its intensity per industry, though, as it seems. The broad post-COVID shortage peak of 2022–2023 covered 36% of assessed occupations. By 2026, that figure has narrowed to 29%, but the occupations still in shortage are harder to fill than ever, and themigration pathways connected to them have become more competitive as a result.
Why the Jobs in Demand in Australia 2026 Look Different From Previous Years
Three trends are driving 2026 demand specifically and separating it from earlier shortage cycles. First, Australia’s ageing population is creating sustained, structural pressure on healthcare and aged care, shortages in this sector are not cyclical, they are demographic. Second, the federal government’s AUD 120 billion infrastructure pipeline through 2030 is pulling engineering and construction professionals into multi-year project demand across road, rail, water, and housing. Third, AI adoption across financial services, government, and enterprise is accelerating demand forcybersecurity, cloud, and data professionals faster than local training programs can supply them.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, 51% of all persistent shortages sit in the Technicians and Trades Workers category. Nearly one in two trade occupations remains in shortage in 2026, with fill rates for Skill Level 3 trades dropping to 54.3%, the lowest recorded level. Healthcare occupations dominate the top of the shortage list, with Registered Nurses and General Practitioners remaining the most undersupplied roles nationally.
Top 10 In-Demand Jobs in Australia 2026 by Sector
The table below ranks the top 10 jobs in demand in Australia 2026 by sector. ANZSCO codes are included, confirm yours before lodging any skills assessment or EOI application.
Occupation | ANZSCO Code | Salary AUD 2026 |
General Practitioner | 253111 | AUD 200,000 – 320,000 |
Civil Engineer | 233211 | AUD 110,000 – 160,000 |
Cloud Architect | 261111 | AUD 150,000 – 220,000 |
Electrical Engineer | 233311 | AUD 110,000 – 155,000 |
Software Engineer | 261313 | AUD 120,000 – 180,000 |
233512 | AUD 105,000 – 150,000 | |
Cybersecurity Analyst | 262112 | AUD 110,000 – 150,000 |
Electrician | 341111 | AUD 90,000 – 130,000 |
Registered Nurse | 254422 | AUD 75,000 – 110,000 |
Secondary School Teacher | 241411 | AUD 75,000 – 105,000 |
Assessing authority and migration eligibility for each occupation are covered in the sector sections below, where each role is explained with the skills assessment pathway that applies.
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Engineering: The Clearest PR Pathway for Skilled Migrants in 2026
Engineering occupations represent the most directly actionable jobs in demand in Australia 2026 for overseas skilled professionals. All major engineering codes sit on theMLTSSL, are assessed by Engineers Australia, and qualify for the 189 independent visa, the only points-tested permanent visa requiring no employer or state sponsor.
Civil Engineer – ANZSCO 233211 | AUD 110,000–160,000
Civil Engineers remain in persistent shortage across infrastructure, transport, and residential construction. The federal government’s AUD 120 billion infrastructure pipeline through 2030 means Civil Engineer demand is structurally locked in for the rest of the decade. WA and QLD projects consistently pay at the higher end. Overseas engineers need a CDR assessed by Engineers Australia before lodging an EOI.
Electrical Engineer – ANZSCO 233311 | AUD 110,000–155,000
Electrical Engineers are in shortage nationally, driven by the energy transition, solar, wind, battery storage, and grid modernisation projects are all pulling from the same limited talent pool. CDR Career Episodes for this code must focus on power systems, electrical design, or energy infrastructure rather than telecommunications or electronics work, which falls under separate ANZSCO codes.
Mechanical Engineer – ANZSCO 233512 | AUD 105,000–150,000
Mechanical Engineers are in demand across manufacturing, defence, resources, and infrastructure. FIFO roles in WA mining and resources projects add 20–40% on top of base rates for experienced candidates. Engineers Australia assesses this occupation through the CDR pathway. Defence and resources roles reach AUD 160,000+ for engineers with 8+ years of relevant project experience.
Technology: Fast-Growing Roles With Direct MLTSSL Visa Pathways
Jobs and Skills Australia predict there will be over 58,000 new technology jobs available by 2028 with cybersecurity and software engineering in highest demand in 2026. Technology occupations are assessed by the Australian Computer Society (ACS), overseas applicants submit anACS RPL report, not a CDR. This is a critical distinction for professionals coming from an engineering background who assume the process is the same.
Software Engineer – ANZSCO 261313 | AUD 120,000–180,000
Software Engineers are in national shortage, with demand highest in financial services, government digital transformation, and health technology. This occupation is present on the MLTSSL, and skills assessing body is ACS. NSW and Victoria run the highest volume of 190 state nomination invitations for Software Engineers in 2026.
Cybersecurity Analyst – ANZSCO 262112 | AUD 110,000–150,000
Cybersecurity is the fastest-growing technology occupation in Australia. Fill rates have dropped to their lowest recorded level as organisations implement the Australian Signals Directorate’s Essential Eight compliance framework. Senior roles with cloud security or OT security specialisation reach AUD 150,000+. This occupation is present on the MLTSSL, and skills assessing body is ACS.
Cloud Architect – ANZSCO 261111 | AUD 150,000–220,000
Cloud Architects are the best paid and in-demand technology jobs in Australia in 2026. There is continued demand due to enterprise cloud migration schemes taking place in banking, insurance and government. Multi-cloud certification (AWS + Azure) attracts the highest pay packages. This occupation is included on MLTSSL and assesses via ACS.
Healthcare: The Highest Shortage Volume Across Australia in 2026
Healthcare occupations dominate the Jobs and Skills Australia shortage list in 2026. Registered Nurses and General Practitioners remain the most undersupplied occupations nationally, with shortages recorded in every state and territory. Overseas healthcare professionals are assessed by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) or ANMAC, not Engineers Australia. The assessment pathway is entirely separate from the CDR process.
Registered Nurses earn AUD 75,000–110,000 and are in shortage across hospitals, aged care, and community health. General Practitioners reach AUD 200,000–320,000 with rural and regional roles attracting substantial incentive payments on top of base rates. Both occupations sit on the MLTSSL and qualify for the189 independent visa.
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Skilled Trades: Where Half of Australia's Workforce Vacancies Sit
Skilled trades represent the single biggest contributor to workforce shortages in Australia. Jobs and Skills Australia indicated that, of all enduring shortages, 51 percent lie in the Technician and Trades Worker sector, with Skill Level 3 being 54.3% successful in filling positions; i.e. Close to half of all trade jobs advertised do not get filled.
Trade Occupation | ANZSCO Code | Salary AUD 2026 | Migration Pathway |
Electrician | 341111 | AUD 90,000 – 130,000 | Yes, MLTSSL, 189/190/491 |
Plumber | 334111 | AUD 85,000 – 125,000 | Yes, MLTSSL, 189/190/491 |
Welder | 322311 | AUD 75,000 – 110,000 | Yes, CSOL |
Refrigeration Mechanic | 342111 | AUD 85,000 – 120,000 | Yes, MLTSSL |
Chef | 351311 | AUD 60,000 – 85,000 | Yes, CSOL, active 190 nominations |
Trade occupations are assessed by theTrades Recognition Authority (TRA), not Engineers Australia. TRA assesses practical trade skills rather than academic engineering competency. Overseas tradespeople need a trade qualification, work experience evidence, and an English language result.
Which In-Demand Occupations Offer the Strongest PR Pathway in 2026?
No not every in demand job is applicable for points based skilled migration. The jobs in demand in Australia 2026 with the clearest PR pathways are those that sit on the MLTSSL, have a designated assessing authority, and generate enough applicant volume to maintain active state nomination programs.
Sector | Skills Assessment Body | CDR / RPL Required? | Best Visa Pathway |
Engineering | Engineers Australia | Yes, CDR report | 189 / 190 / 491 |
Technology (ICT) | ACS | Yes, ACS RPL report | 189 / 190 / 491 |
Healthcare | AMC / ANMAC / AHPRA | No CDR, registration exam | 189 / 190 / 491 |
Skilled Trades | TRA | Trade skills assessment | 189 / 190 / 491 |
Education | AITSL | No CDR, AITSL assessment | 190 / 491 (state priority) |
For engineers, theANZSCO code you nominate in your CDR application must match the in-demand occupation you are targeting in your EOI. A mismatch between the two, for example, applying under Civil Engineer (233211) when your duties align with Structural Engineer (233214), causes an unsuccessful assessment regardless of your actual competency level.
CDR and Skills Assessment: Your Entry Point to High-Demand Engineering Roles
Every engineering occupation listed among the jobs in demand in Australia 2026 is assessed by Engineers Australia. A positive skills assessment outcome is the mandatory first step before any overseas engineer can lodge an EOI and enter the SkillSelect pool for a 189, 190, or 491 visa.
Consisting of a CDR, three Career Episodes, a Summary Statement, and a CPD record, this determines the suitability of your engineering qualifications in meeting the competencies for Stage 1 requirements. Your nominated ANZSCO code must match the occupation you are targeting. Getting the code right before writing a single line of your CDR is the most important decision in the entire process.
CDR Australia Writer prepares Career Episodes,Summary Statements, and full CDR reports built against your specific ANZSCO code, zero plagiarism and a 100% Engineers Australia approval record.
Act on the Jobs in Demand in Australia 2026 With the Right Preparation
Thejobs in demand in Australia 2026 are clearly defined, engineering, technology, healthcare, trades, and education are the five sectors in persistent, documented shortage. For skilled migrants, engineering and technology offer the most direct path from overseas qualification to Australian permanent residency through the points-tested visa system.
The difference between engineers who access these in-demand roles quickly and those who wait years is preparation. The quality of the CDR, the accuracy of the ANZSCO code, and the strength of the EOI points score are the three factors that determine the outcome. Get all three right from the start and the jobs in demand in Australia 2026 become a realistic, achievable target rather than an aspiration.
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We have mentioned common questions asked by our clients regarding CDR report, ACS RPL report, KA02 report, and skill assessment process.
Five industry sectors: Healthcare (nurses, GPS), Engineering (civil, electrical, mechanical), technology (software, cybersecurity), trade (electricians, plumbers) and education (secondary school teachers).
This encompasses any job on the MLTSSL; all mainstream Engineering, Technology, Health and Trade codes. Check the current CSOL on the Department of Home Affairs website before lodging an EOI.
Yes, unless your degree is Washington, Sydney orDublin Accord Accredited. EA will check your CDR against Stage 1 competency against standards and you are then able to apply an EOI.
WA leads for engineering and trades. NSW and Victoria lead for technology. Queensland is growing fast in both sectors ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
491 regional visa, 15 bonus points, suits scores under 85. 189 is direct for scores 90+. 190 state nomination adds 5 points and suits scores of 75–90.