Skilled Shortage in Australia: 7 Engineering Jobs to Migrate
There is an increasing skilled shortage in Australia, particularly in the technical and engineering sectors in Australia. Whether it be civil, mechanical, electrical, electronics, or telecommunications engineering, Australia offers an exceptional opportunity to build a strong professional career while benefiting from high employability, stable income prospects, and strong PR pathways.
As infrastructure is developed rapidly, energy shifts, the development of the construction industry, and digitization occur, and the nation cannot produce enough local engineers to fulfill demand. Due to this fact, a lot of engineering positions are put on the Occupation Shortage List, and it will be easier to migrate qualified professionals.
If you are an engineer and want to know where high-priority chances of migration and permanence are available, then this blog will assist you in knowing precisely which jobs are most required. We present an in-depth discussion of the skilled occupation list, visas, the lack of jobs, and the high-in demands engineering occupations that provide the best PR opportunities.
Why Australia Has a Skilled Shortage in Engineering?
The Continuing Skill Shortage List Australia continues to be driven by the following factors:
- Massive Federal and State infrastructural developments
- Expanding renewable energy and power assembly
- High pace of development in the construction industry
- Greying workforce
- Low availability of engineering graduate
All these have driven most of the positions in the Occupation Shortage List, allowing skilled migrants to take the vacant positions where the domestic workforce cannot meet the demand.
How the Skilled Occupation Lists Help Engineers Migrate?
Australia has a number of lists that it uses to determine the employment in demand. Occupations listed on the skilled occupation list can be found on the list; thus making it easier to apply to occupations like:
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
- Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
- Employer-Sponsored Visas
Most of the engineering jobs will stay on the Occupation Shortage List, expanding the migration and PR opportunities of overseas job applicants.
Visa Pathways for Engineers on the Skilled Lists
The most common migration visas include those for engineering occupations in the skilled occupation list or Occupation Shortage List, such as
1. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
No sponsorship required. Optimal in the case of occupations with an acute shortage of skills in Australia.
2. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
Strong PR nomination at the state level.
3. Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
Sponsorship with 5 additional points at the regional level.
4. Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
In case of Australian job opportunities among engineers.
New Articles
Have Any Question?
CDRaustraliawriter specialises in high-quality CDR, RPL and VETASSESS reports for engineers. CDRaustraliawriter offer low-cost, customized and reliable services in diverse engineering disciplines.
- +61 482 072 465
- [email protected]
Engineering Roles Facing Skilled Shortage in Australia
According to the engineered shortage data that you submitted as well as cross-referenced with Australian migration data, the 7 following engineering occupations are presently experiencing the most acute cases of skilled shortage in Australia.
Below is the required table summarizing job demand:
Engineering Jobs with Shortage Rating & Skill Level
Engineering Job Title | ANZSCO Skill Level | Shortage Rating |
Civil Engineer | Skill Level 1 | Severe Shortage |
Electrical Engineer | Skill Level 1 | High Shortage |
Mechanical Engineer | Skill Level 1 | Moderate–High Shortage |
Structural Engineer | Skill Level 1 | Severe Shortage |
Electronics Engineer | Skill Level 1 | High Shortage |
Industrial Engineer | Skill Level 1 | Moderate Shortage |
Telecommunications Engineer | Skill Level 1 | High Shortage |
1. Civil Engineer
Civil Engineers are in severe skilled shortage in Australia due to major rail, road, water, and public infrastructure developments. The government continues to invest billions into national transport and construction upgrades, making Civil Engineers consistently appear in the skilled occupation list.
Civil Engineers are also listed in the Occupation Shortage List, enabling easier migration through both independent and state nomination visas.
2. Electrical Engineer
There’s a shortage of electrical engineers in part due to investments in renewable energy, solar projects, wind farms, smart grids and automation. This occupation is strongly represented in the skilled occupation list because demand continues to rise faster than local supply.
Electrical engineers will also continue to be on the Occupation Shortage List hence being one of the most suitable candidates to be considered by professionals intending to migrate.
3. Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Engineers are required in manufacturing, construction, mining, energy, and industrial design. Although shortages differ depending on the state, the position remains indicative of the current high-demand for a skills market, particularly in the regional and industrial areas.
The occupation still appears on the Occupation Shortage List and the skilled occupation list which assist the professionals to find PR routes.
4. Structural Engineer
The field of structural engineering is also in short-supply especially with the boom in construction and the expansion of commercial buildings in the big cities. High migration value and a long-term demand of the occupation indicate the high presence of the position in the skilled occupation list.
Another example of Occupation Shortage List is Structural Engineers, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria.
5. Electronics Engineer
The electronics engineers are in demand because of increased automation, robotics, semiconductor creation, IoT structure, and advancements in the defense sector. The problem of shortage has been worsening and this has contributed to the net overall shortage of skills in technical engineering in Australia.
The job is still included in the Occupation Shortage List as well as in the skilled occupation list which facilitates the new migrant entries.
6. Industrial Engineer
Industrial Engineers are useful in streamlining manufacturing processes, logistics, systems design and workflow management. As the demands are increasing in the logistics, FMCG, warehousing, and supply chain industries, they remain a source of labour skills gap in Australia.
The shortage is not high, but they remain on the list of skilled occupation and Occupation Shortage List, which provides successful application possibilities to the applicants.
7. Telecommunications Engineer
The NBN rollout, 5G improvements and digital infrastructure modernization led to a rapid rise in telecommunications engineering shortages. The job is ranked highly in the list of skilled occupation particularly ICT infrastructure and network engineering.
It is also in the Occupation Shortage List, and thus it is a good PR migration avenue.
Services for Engineers Seeking Migration Support
Right after the section on visa pathways, because this is where people who want to move would look for help from CDRAustraliaWriter.
1. Summary Statement Writing
Are you having trouble with your VETASSESS summary statement? We help you accurately show off your skills and experience.
2. Resume Writing Services
Need a professional resume for Australian migration? Our services highlight your skills to impress authorities. Order your resume today!
3. RPL Services
Seeking RPL for VETASSESS or Engineers Australia? We turn your experience into recognized skills. Secure your RPL with our experts!
4. Pricing
Wondering about pricing for skill assessments, RPL, or resumes? We offer clear, competitive rates. Check our packages now!
5. Career Episode Writing
Need help with career episode writing? We make episodes that demonstrates your experience and are compliant. Start your career episode right now!
6. Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
It is important to keep records of CPD in order to assess skills. We show you how to keep good records and present evidence. Get better CPD with our help!
Why These Engineering Jobs Lead the Occupation Shortage Lists
1. Australia’s Infrastructure Pipeline is Massive
Projects in transport, water, energy, and construction fuel a continuous skilled shortage in Australia across all engineering fields.
2. Graduate Supply is Low
There aren’t enough engineering graduates in Australia to meet demand, so these jobs are on the Occupation Shortage List.
3. Technology Is Growing Faster Than Talent
Advanced engineering skills are needed for projects that involve digital, renewable, and smart infrastructure.
4. People who are retiring from work
Older engineers are leaving the workforce, which is making the demand go up.
5. Strong Migration Dependence
Engineering roles stay in the skilled occupation list because Australia relies heavily on overseas professionals.
Looking for expert Skill Assessment Writers?

Our expert writing team has successfully assisted clients in obtaining approval through professional services for skill assessments and migration needs.
Final Thoughts
The demand for engineers in Australia is stronger than ever, and current trends clearly show that this is one of the best times for skilled professionals to migrate. Because there is still a shortage of skilled workers in Australia, engineering jobs are still at the top of both the Skilled Occupation List and the Occupation Shortage List. This makes it easier and safer for people from other countries who want to move to Australia to do so.
Overall, Australia’s infrastructure, energy systems, construction projects, telecommunications networks, and industrial operations are all growing, which means that the need for qualified engineers will only grow. If your occupation appears in any of these shortage lists, your chances of receiving a visa invitation, state nomination, and long-term job stability significantly increase.
FAQs - Skilled Shortage in Australia
1. Is there a skills shortage for engineers in Australia?
Only 8.5 percent of Australian graduates have an engineering qualification – sixth lowest in the OECD. Demand for engineering skills is outpacing supply despite an increase in qualified engineers from 2016 to 2021, three times faster than the general workforce.
2. Which engineering jobs are in high demand in Australia in 2025?
Australia has a strong demand for aeronautical engineers, agricultural engineers, civil engineers, electrical engineers and aircraft maintenance engineers across avionics, mechanical and structural fields. These roles appear on both the Occupation Shortage List and the skilled occupation list.
3. Why is there a skilled shortage in Australia for engineers?
The skilled shortage in Australia exists due to aging workforces, rapid infrastructure growth, aviation expansion and limited domestic engineering graduates. This gap makes employers rely heavily on skilled migrants.
4. Do engineers need a skills assessment for migration?
Yes. Engineers must complete a skills assessment through Engineers Australia. This is mandatory for most engineering occupations listed on the skilled occupation list and is required before lodging an EOI.
5. Does being on the skilled occupation list improve visa chances?
Yes. If your job is on the skilled occupation list, you are more likely to get invitations for visas like 189, 190, and 491. This is especially true if your job is also on the Occupation Shortage List.
