The latest Occupation and Shortage Report (OSR) highlights why several Professional occupations have moved out of shortage in the 2025 Occupation Shortage List (OSL), following notable improvements across demand, supply and recruitment indicators.
Professional occupations that transitioned from shortage in 2024 to no shortage in 2025 were mainly concentrated in the Business and Finance, Engineering, Health, and ICT sub-major groups.
Compared with occupations that remained in shortage, these groups recorded clearer signs of easing pressures, including:
- lower demand: fewer online job ads since 2021-22
- better supply: more qualified applicants per role (though health remains tight)
- improved hiring: higher fill rates, lower recruitment difficulty, and shorter vacancy times.
Across the labour market, conditions are stabilising. The national fill rate dipped slightly to 70.2% but is still higher than last year. Employers report fewer applicants overall but more suitable candidates, showing better job/skill alignment.
Metro fill rates fell to 71.5%, while regional rates rose to 67.1%, narrowing the gap. By skill level, Skill Level 1 roles improved, Skill Level 4 declined, and Skill Level 3 remains hardest to fill at 54.3%.
Overall, recruitment is getting easier for some professional roles, while challenges persist in others.
Read more in the full report.
