Still in short supply: nurses, carers and early childhood educators

Each year Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) rates occupations as in shortage or not. In its 2025 Occupation Shortage List, 293 of 1,022 occupations (29%) were in national shortage, down from 33% in 2024 and a peak of 36% in 2023. Many of those that came off the list were business, finance, engineering and ICT professions. Care and nursing stayed on it.

The wider job market

Overall, hiring has cooled. The ABS counted 329,500 job vacancies in May 2026, 30.3% below the May 2022 peak, and the unemployment rate was 4.6% in August 2026. A shortage occupation can still be competitive locally.

What you need to get started

Registered nurses

Nurses register nationally with Ahpra under the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s standards. Physiotherapists and dental hygienists are also registered health professions; you can check anyone’s registration on the public Ahpra register.

Aged and disability care workers

There’s no national licence. The common entry qualification is CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support, which requires at least 120 hours of work. Many employers ask for it, but we haven’t confirmed whether it’s a legal requirement. Screening checks apply: see our guide to screening checks.

Early childhood educators

Under the National Quality Framework, educators are generally expected to hold, or be working towards, an approved early childhood qualification. Check the current requirements with ACECQA. You’ll also need a Working with Children Check for your state.

Motor mechanics

Requirements vary by employer and state. Ask about trade qualifications and any licence the role needs before you apply.