We reviewed 41 health and medical unit occupations included in Jobs and Skills Australia’s Occupation Shortage List.
Key findings:
· Just over half (51%) of the health workforce occupations reviewed were assessed as being in national shortage (21 of 41 occupations)
· Additional health workforce occupations were identified in shortage in some regions and States.
NATIONAL SHORTAGE🔴
Medical
Anaesthetists
General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers
Other Medical Practitioners
Psychiatrists
Specialist Physicians
Surgeons
Nursing & midwifery
Registered Nurses
Midwives
Allied health
Audiologists and Speech Pathologists/Therapists
Chiropractors and Osteopaths
Occupational Therapists
Physiotherapists
Podiatrists
Psychologists
Pharmacy / dental / diagnostic
Pharmacists
Dental Practitioners
Dental Hygienists, Technicians and Therapists
Medical Imaging Professionals
Emergency / community
Ambulance Officers and Paramedics
Indigenous Health Workers
Aged and Disabled Carers
REGIONAL SHORTAGE🟠
Enrolled and Mothercraft Nurses
METROPOLITAN SHORTAGE🟡
None reported
ADDITIONAL OCCUPATIONS IN SHORTAGE IN SOME REGIONS AND STATES
Health and Welfare Services Managers (NT and regional VIC)
Nurse Educators and Researchers (NT, ACT, regional VIC and regional SA)
Nurse Managers (regional SA)
Social Workers (NT, SA and regional VIC)
Welfare, Recreation and Community Arts Workers (NT and regional VIC)
Welfare Support Workers (WA)
Nursing Support and Personal Care Workers (NT)
Source/date and notes: JSA Occupation Shortage List — latest available data (2025), see 2025 Unit Group Shortage List - 4 digit ANZSCO.xlsx. Notes: The data provides a point-in-time assessment of shortages and has not yet been replaced by a 2026 edition. NO NATIONAL SHORTAGE was recorded for 19 of 41 occupation units, including: Health and Welfare Services Managers, Medical Scientists, Nutrition Professionals, Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals, Optometrists and Orthoptists, Other Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals, Complementary Health Therapists, Nurse Educators and Researchers, Nurse Managers, Social Workers, Welfare, Recreation and Community Arts Workers, Medical Technicians, Diversional Therapists, Massage Therapists, Welfare Support Workers, Dental Assistants, Nursing Support and Personal Care Workers, Special Care Workers, Practice Managers
