Top 10 Industries with the Highest Demand for Foreign Labor in Australia in 2026
If you are considering a global career, Australia remains a magnet for skilled foreign talent. The government replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa with the Skills in Demand (SID) visa as of December 7, 2024, to accelerate recruitment.
The 2025 labor shortage list from Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) shows that vacancies remain high across several sectors. To help you map out your next move, here are the 10 Australian industries projected to absorb the most foreign workers in 2025.
Priority Sectors and Job Opportunities for International Talent
The Australian government has established a priority skills list to ensure the stability of public services and future industrial progress. Below is an in-depth analysis of the ten key industries projected to recruit the most international workers throughout 2025.
1. Healthcare and Social Assistance
You will find robust demand for nurses, doctors, lab technicians, therapists, and social workers. The 2025 JSA report ranks healthcare professions as the most “undersupplied” group.
Immigration Note: Healthcare professions receive priority processing, and the SID visa (subclass 482) is now the primary employer-sponsored pathway.
2. Construction and Infrastructure
Driven by housing needs and energy projects, Infrastructure Australia estimates the worker shortage remains “chronic.” The gap is widest for trades, technicians, and project managers.
Pathways: Companies use the SID visa and Permanent Residency (PR) options like the ENS 186. Pathways to permanent status are open for candidates meeting local licensing and safety requirements.
3. Information Technology and Cybersecurity
While overall tech targets are being reviewed, the need for AI/Data and Cyber specialists continues to surge. The Tech Council of Australia projects that AI alone could create 200,000 new jobs by 2030.
Visa Strategy: The SID 482 visa facilitates fast-tracked sponsorship for mid-to-high-wage roles. The government has also launched the MATES scheme for specific talent pools.
Read Also: Top 10 Industries in Canada Offering the Greatest Opportunities for Foreign Workers
4. Mining and Critical Minerals
The energy transition has made nickel, lithium, cobalt, graphite, and copper strategic focuses. By 2025, the Australian parliament passed tax incentives for critical mineral processing and renewable hydrogen to attract investment and create jobs in the hinterlands and regional hubs.
5. Renewable Energy and Electrical Services
Clean energy investment is back “on track.” In 2024, AU$9 billion was committed to projects, creating over 10,000 construction jobs. Household solar installations have surpassed 4 million, strengthening demand for solar, battery, and grid technicians.
The Capacity Investment Scheme will expand to 40 GW by July 2025, significantly boosting recruitment for commissioning and safety-certified engineers.
6. Transportation, Logistics, and Warehousing
The shortage of certified truck drivers remains a significant hurdle for the national supply chain. JSA identifies Road Freight and Warehousing as major labor absorbers.
PR Pathways: Logistics firms frequently utilize the SID visa, while regional areas offer the 491/494 pathways toward permanent residency.
7. Agriculture and Agri-food
The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) remains the primary program for low-to-semi-skilled roles. Recent updates include pilot expansions into the Early Childhood Education sector in the Northern Territory. Horticulture recruitment pressure has begun to ease, but long-term technical roles in food processing remain open.
8. Tourism, Hospitality, and Culinary Arts
Tourism now accounts for approximately 1 in 23 national jobs. ABS 2025 data shows employment levels in this sector are higher than in previous years. If you have functional English, hygiene certifications, and hospitality experience, this industry is a quick entry point into the Australian workforce.
Read Also: Top 10 Sectors in the UAE with the Highest Demand for Foreign Workers
9. Education and Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC)
Teacher shortages are a persistent national issue. Opportunities are significantly higher for those willing to be placed in regional or remote areas. The government has introduced professional development packages and phased wage increases to retain staff in the ECEC sector.
10. Defence Industry and Advanced Manufacturing
The AUKUS agenda and national defense strategies require a surge in engineering, maintenance, and project management talent. The government targets 20,000 direct jobs over the next three decades. Recruitment focuses on precision fabrication, MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), and autonomous systems through the SID 482 visa and state nominations.
Australia’s 2025 labor market is highly targeted toward sectors that sustain public well-being and future energy independence. Always use official government links to check the latest requirements, as policies and quotas can change throughout the fiscal year.
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