How to Start Your Australian Migration Journey: A Guide to the Occupation Shortage List

Moving to Australia in 2025? Here is the Exact Tool to Check Your Visa Chances

Thinking about moving to Australia? Whether you are looking at the General Skilled Migration (GSM) route or seeking an Employer Sponsored visa, knowing where to start is half the battle.

In my latest update, I’m breaking down how to use the best tool available to see if your skills are actually in demand.

moving to australia job application tool

Understanding Your Visa Options

Before diving into the data, it’s important to know which pathway fits your goals:

• General Skilled Migration (GSM): This includes the 189 (Skilled Independent), 190 (Skilled Nominated), and 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visas.

• Employer Sponsored: If you are looking for a company to sponsor you, you’ll likely be looking at the 482 (Skills in Demand), 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme), or 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) visas.

Disclaimer: I am not a registered migration agent. This information is provided as general advice only. Please consult with a professional for your specific migration needs.

Your Starting Point: Jobs and Skills Australia

The best way to begin is by visiting the Jobs and Skills Australia website. This is an official government resource that provides a “point-in-time” assessment of the Australian labor market.

The Occupation Shortage List (OSL)

The Occupation Shortage List is the ultimate tool for understanding if your skill set is needed. It shows you exactly which occupations are facing shortages across different states and territories.

Key Terms to Know:

• ANZSCO Codes: The current classification system used by the Department of Home Affairs.

• OSCA: The new classification system (Occupation and Skills Classification for Australia) being phased in.

• S (Shortage): Australia needs more workers in this field.

• NS (No Shortage): There is currently no recorded shortage for this role.

• R (Regional Shortage): Shortages exist, but only in regional (non-metro) areas of Australia.

Demo: Is Your Job in Demand?

When you search the list, the results can vary wildly depending on your industry. Here are some examples of what the 2025 data shows:

1. Healthcare (High Demand)

If you are a Registered Nurse (Aged Care, Mental Health, or Acute Care), the news is great. Almost every state shows an “S” (Shortage). Australia is crying out for nurses.

2. Construction and Trades (Hot Cakes)

Carpenters, Joiners, Bricklayers, and Painters are in extremely high demand across the board. If you have these trade skills, your chances of finding a sponsor or getting an invitation are very high.

3. IT and Accounting (Competitive)

This is where it gets tricky. For Software Engineers or General Accountants, the list often shows “NS” (No Shortage).

• Tip: If you are an accountant, look into Taxation Accounting, which still shows a shortage. If your specific IT role is “NS,” you can still apply, but getting an invitation may be much harder because there are already many skilled workers in those fields within Australia.

Quick Reference: Australian Skilled Visa Subclasses

To help you decide which path to investigate on the Jobs and Skills website, here is a summary of the most common subclasses for 2025/2026:

General Skilled Migration (No Employer Needed)

These visas are “points-tested.” You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and wait for an invitation.

Employer Sponsored (Job Offer Required)

These visas require a confirmed job offer from an Australian company willing to sponsor you.

Summary of Tips

1. Check the Code: Use the ANZSCO (or the new OSCA) code to find your exact job title.

2. Look for “S”: If your job has an “S” (Shortage) next to it, you are in a strong position.

3. Go Regional: If your job shows an “R” (Regional Shortage), focus your efforts on areas outside of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

4. Target the State: If a specific state like the Northern Territory (NT) shows a shortage while others don’t, that is the state you should select in your EOI.

Strategy: Using the Data to Your Advantage

If you see that your occupation is in shortage in a specific state—for example, the Northern Territory (NT)—but not elsewhere, use that information!

• For GSM: When lodging your Expression of Interest (EOI), target the 190 or 491 visas for that specific state.

• For Sponsorship: Focus your job search on employers located in the states where the shortage is most acute.

Don’t go into the migration process blind. Start with the data, find where you are needed, and narrow your search to the states that are looking for you.

Did you find this breakdown helpful? Let me know in the comments or give me a thumbs up. If there are other topics or specific visa processes you want me to cover, leave a suggestion and I’ll get to work on the next guide!