Top 9 Trades and Professions in Short Supply Across Australia (2025)
Australia’s workforce is at a critical turning point. Despite investments in training and apprenticeships, the demand for skilled workers continues to outpace supply. In industries such as construction, mining, manufacturing, and energy, these shortages pose not just an HR challenge; they are an operational risk that drives up costs and delays major projects.
At TPRC, we partner with businesses across Australia to bridge these gaps by connecting them with highly skilled Filipino workers. Based on 2025 labour market data and trends, here are the top 9 trades and professions in critical shortage.
1. Electricians
Australia’s renewable energy boom has created record demand for electricians (NextMinute, 2025). Many employers are now turning to international recruitment solutions to keep projects on track.
2. Carpenters and Concreters
The housing crisis has highlighted the shortage of carpenters and concreters (WorkingIn Australia, 2025). Our case studies demonstrate how Australian builders have met deadlines with the support of overseas tradespeople.
3. Civil, Structural and Mechanical Engineers
Shortages in engineering roles are delaying major rail and infrastructure upgrades (WorkingIn Australia, 2025). TPRC assists engineering firms in recruiting highly skilled professionals from abroad.
4. Plumbers and Welders
Critical to both construction and mining, plumbers and welders remain among the most challenging roles to fill (NextMinute, 2025). Learn how Filipino tradespeople are helping WA and QLD mining companies overcome these shortages.
5. Project Managers and Surveyors
Oversight roles, such as project managers and surveyors, are under pressure (Career FAQs, 2025). Read our insights on how skilled migration complements local leadership.
6. Registered Nurses and Aged Care Workers
Healthcare demand continues to surge (WorkingIn Australia, 2025). TPRC supports employers in the aged care and hospital sectors with compliant overseas recruitment.
7. Secondary STEM Teachers
Regional schools are struggling to find qualified STEM educators (Simon Mander, 2025). While TPRC focuses on trades and skilled roles, we highlight these shortages as part of our research and insights.
8. Veterinarians (Regional)
Veterinary shortages in regional towns are placing rural communities under pressure (The Guardian, Jan 2025). Businesses in regional areas can explore TPRC’s support for accessing broader talent pools.
9. Butchers & Meat Processors
Food production is suffering from a decades-long shortage (News.com.au, Feb 2025). Discover our client success stories, which showcase how international recruitment is helping small businesses thrive.
What This Means for Australian Businesses
The skills shortage is more than a recruitment challenge; it is reshaping how Australian businesses deliver projects, manage costs, and plan for the future. Companies across construction, mining, manufacturing, and energy are under increasing strain as critical roles remain unfilled.
- Rising project costs: With fewer workers available, wages for in-demand trades are climbing. This benefits employees but adds pressure on employers who are already dealing with high material and supply chain costs. For businesses working on fixed-price contracts, these increases cut directly into profits.
- Delays and missed deadlines: Workforce shortages create bottlenecks across entire industries. A lack of carpenters or electricians on-site can hold up every dependent task, leading to cascading delays and penalties for late delivery.
- Regional disadvantages: The crisis is particularly severe in regional and remote areas. Mining towns in Western Australia and agricultural hubs in Queensland are struggling to attract and retain skilled workers, resulting in incomplete projects and underserved communities.
Loss of competitiveness: Australia’s global standing is at risk. Mining exporters face pressure from international competitors who can deliver their products more quickly. Manufacturers are unable to scale production at the required pace. Construction firms risk losing tenders if they cannot guarantee a reliable workforce.
- Future growth at stake: Apprenticeship uptake is declining, and fewer young Australians are entering traditional trades. This means the local workforce pipeline will not recover quickly. For businesses with growth ambitions, the shortage is not a short-term hurdle but a long-term reality.
The message is clear: businesses that rely solely on local labour will continue to face shortages, delays, and rising costs. To stay competitive, Australian companies need to diversify their workforce strategy and make international recruitment part of their long-term planning.
How TPRC Supports Businesses
At TPRC, we understand that filling workforce gaps involves more than simply finding candidates; it requires building a sustainable pipeline of skilled labour that supports ongoing success. Our solutions are designed to remove barriers, reduce risks, and deliver lasting results.
- Strategic Workforce Alignment: We collaborate closely with business leaders to identify current gaps and forecast future workforce needs. This proactive approach ensures that recruitment aligns with both project deadlines and long-term goals.
- Expertise in Filipino Skilled Workers: Filipino tradespeople are recognised worldwide for their technical ability, adaptability, and strong work ethic. With a strong presence in the Philippines, TPRC connects Australian businesses with trade-tested, reliable workers who are ready to perform from day one.
- End-to-End Recruitment Management: International recruitment is a complex process that involves compliance in both Australia and the Philippines, trade testing, documentation, and deployment. TPRC manages this entire process, allowing businesses to avoid costly delays and compliance risks.
Tailored Industry Support: We specialise in industries that are under the most pressure. Whether your company operates in construction, mining, manufacturing, or energy, TPRC provides tailored solutions to ensure your workforce strategy meets your sector’s demands.tinue to face shortages, delays, and rising costs. To stay competitive, Australian companies need to diversify their workforce strategy and make international recruitment part of their long-term planning.
Why Acting Now Matters
Australia’s skills shortage is unlikely to ease in the short term. Delays in recruitment only worsen the gap, pushing projects further behind schedule and increasing costs. Businesses that wait for local training pipelines to catch up risk falling behind competitors who have already secured international talent.
Partnering with TPRC provides certainty. You gain immediate access to skilled workers, confidence that compliance requirements are being met, and the assurance that your business can deliver projects on time and within budget.
At TPRC, our mission is to help Australian businesses thrive by connecting them with the skilled workforce they cannot find locally. We are a strategic partner that helps you build a resilient workforce for today and the future.
If your business is experiencing delays due to workforce shortages, now is the time to act.
Contact TPRC today to secure the talent you need and plan for tomorrow.