Skill Shortage List

Queensland
This list shows occupations which were assessed in 2015 by the
Department of Employment specifically for Queensland, for
which shortages or some recruitment difficulty is evident.
Additional occupations were assessed for Australia as a whole
(state-level information is not available). Listings of shortages
from this research are available on page 3 in the section
occupations assessed at the national level.
These lists are summary in nature and should be viewed in the
context of the more detailed analysis available in the
occupational reports which are published on the Departments
website.
Ratings of shortage reflect employers recruitment experience
for workers with average experience (that is, those who have
around 3 to 5 years of experience). Shortages may exist in
occupations which have relatively high rates of unemployment.
A rating of shortage does not mean that an individual will
necessarily gain employment in that occupation.
This list has no status for migration.
Details about the methodology used in this research are
available at employment.gov.au/skill-shortages.
The lack of a rating for an occupation does not necessarily imply
'no shortage' as the occupation may not have been assessed.
Reports for occupations assessed for Queensland are published
at state and territory skill shortage information. For the complete
set of occupational reports, see skill shortage information by
occupation.

2015
It is also important to note that labour markets can change
quickly and vary by location. The assessments made here reflect
the labour market at the date shown.

Skill Shortage List, Queensland

Department of Employment
List reflects research undertaken to 31 December 2015 (Published 19 February 2016)

Page 1 of 6

Key to ratings
S
State-wide shortage
M
Shortage in metropolitan areas
R
Shortage in regional areas
D
Recruitment difficulty
R-D Recruitment difficulty in regional areas
M-D Recruitment difficulty in metropolitan areas
Definitions of ratings
Shortage
Skill shortages exist when employers are unable to fill or have
considerable difficulty filling vacancies, or significant specialised
skill needs within that occupation, at current levels of remuneration
and conditions of employment, and in reasonably accessible
locations. For occupations assessed at a national level, a rating of S
represents a national shortage.

Recruitment difficulty
Recruitment difficulties occur when some employers have difficulty
filling vacancies for an occupation. There may be an adequate
supply of skilled workers but some employers are unable to attract
and recruit sufficient suitable workers for reasons which include:
specific experience or the specialist skill requirements of the
vacancy; differences in hours of work required by the employer and
those sought by applicants; or transport issues.
Definition of occupation
Occupations are defined according to the Australian and New
Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) which is
published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to provide
uniformity in the collection, analysis and dissemination of
occupational statistics in Australia and New Zealand.

Skill Shortage List, Queensland

Department of Employment
List reflects research undertaken to 31 December 2015 (Published 19 February 2016)

Page 2 of 6

ANZSCO

Occupation

QLD
Rati
ng

Date
Assessed

2. PROFESSIONALS
23. Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals
2322-12
Surveyor
S
June 2015
2332Civil Engineering Professionals
D
June 2015
11,12,14,
15
24. Education Professionals
2415
Special Education Teachers
R
February 2015
25. Health Professionals
2512-11
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer

February 2015

2512-14
2514-11
251511,13

Sonographer
Optometrist
Hospital and Retail Pharmacist

S
R
R

February 2015
February 2015
February 2015

2525-11

Physiotherapist

February 2015

2541-11

Midwife

2544

Registered Nurses

3. TECHNICIANS AND TRADES WORKERS

31. Engineering, ICT and Science Technicians
3122
Civil Engineering Draftspersons and
Technicians
32. Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers

R-D

June 2015

June 2015

June 2015

Comment

The recruitment difficulty is for experienced structural

engineers.
Shortages are evident for qualified and experienced
special education teachers in regional areas.
Shortages are evident for qualified medical diagnostic
radiographers in regional areas.
Shortages are evident for qualified hospital and retail
pharmacists with enough experience to work
independently in regional areas.
The recruitment difficulty is for physiotherapists in
acute, disability and aged care services, and is
particularly evident in regional areas.
The recruitment difficulty is for experienced clinical
midwives in small regional and rural hospitals.
Shortages of experienced registered nurses are evident
in regional locations.
Shortages are evident in regional areas. Few applicants
have the required experience.

Skill Shortage List, Queensland

Department of Employment
List reflects research undertaken to 31 December 2015 (Published 19 February 2016)

Page 3 of 6

ANZSCO

Occupation

321211,12,13
3223-13

Motor Mechanics

Welder (First Class)

3232-14

Metal Machinist (First Class)

3241-11

Panelbeater

3243-11

Vehicle Painter

33. Construction Trades Workers

3311-11
Bricklayer

QLD
Rati
ng

Date
Assessed

Comment

December
2015
September
2015

The recruitment difficulty is for motorcycle mechanics.

December
2015
September
2015
September
2015

September
2015
3312
Carpenters and Joiners
D
September
2015
3322-11
Painting Trades Worker
S
September
2015
3332-11
Fibrous Plasterer
S
September
2015
34. Electrotechnology and Telecommunications Trades Workers
3421-11
Airconditioning and Refrigeration
S
September
Mechanic
2015
35. Food Trades Workers
3512-11
Butcher or Smallgoods Maker
S
October 2015
3513-11

Chef

The recruitment difficulty is for welders who are

proficient in welding aluminum. Regional employers
report greater numbers of suitable applicants than their
metropolitan counterparts.
Shortages are evident for qualified panelbeaters.
Shortages are evident in regional Queensland.

The recruitment difficulty is for joiners.

Shortages are evident for qualified butchers with

customer service and merchandising skills.

October 2015

Skill Shortage List, Queensland

Department of Employment
List reflects research undertaken to 31 December 2015 (Published 19 February 2016)

Page 4 of 6

ANZSCO

Occupation

39. Other Technicians and Trades Workers

3941-11
Cabinetmaker

QLD
Rati
ng
S

4. COMMUNITY AND PERSONAL SERVICE WORKERS

42. Carers and Aides
4211-11
Child Care Workers
M-D

Date
Assessed

Comment

September
2015
August 2015

The recruitment difficulty is for diploma qualified child

care workers in metropolitan areas.

OCCUPATIONS ASSESSED AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL

The following occupations were assessed in 2015 at the national level only. Separate ratings are not available for Queensland.

ANZSCO

Occupation

Natio
nal
Ratin
g

Date
Assessed

2. PROFESSIONALS
23. Design, Engineering, Science and Transport Professionals
2332-13
Quantity Surveyor
S
June 2015

Comment

Shortages are for qualified and experienced quantity

surveyors and are apparent across all construction
sectors.

25. Health Professionals

2527
Audiologist

March 2015

Shortages are evident for audiologists and are

particularly apparent in regional locations..

3. TECHNICIANS AND TRADES WORKERS

31. Engineering, ICT and Science Technicians
3121-14
Construction Estimator

June 2015

The recruitment difficulty is for construction estimators

for positions in residential construction which require
five to 10 years experience.

32. Automotive and Engineering Trades Workers

Skill Shortage List, Queensland
Department of Employment
List reflects research undertaken to 31 December 2015 (Published 19 February 2016)

Page 5 of 6

ANZSCO

Occupation

Natio
nal
Ratin
g

Date
Assessed

Comment

3211-11

Automotive Electrician

September
2015

Shortages of automotive electricians are relatively

widespread. The slowdown in the resources sector has
resulted in larger candidate pools in Western Australia.

3233-13

Locksmith

December
2015

33. Construction Trades Workers

3311-12
Stonemason
3331-11
Glazier

S
S

Shortages are for qualified stonemasons.

Shortages are for qualified and experienced glaziers.

3332-12
3333-11
3334-11

S
S
S

August 2015
September
2015
August 2015
August 2015
September
2015

Solid Plasterer
Roof Tiler
Wall and Floor Tiler

Shortages are evident for wall and floor tilers. Few

applicants have the skill level needed to meet
employers needs.

35. Food Trades Workers

3511-12
Pastrycook

October 2015

The recruitment difficulty is for qualified and

experienced pastrycooks for positions in small
independent retail patisseries.

36. Skilled Animal and Horticultural Workers

3622-12
Arborist

September
2015

Shortages are evident for qualified, ticketed and

experienced arborists.

39. Other Technicians and Trades Workers

3911-11
Hairdresser

September
2015

Shortages are evident for trade qualified and

experienced hairdressers. Employers generally
consider those who hold fast-tracked hairdressing
qualifications to be unsuitable.

Skill Shortage List, Queensland

Department of Employment
List reflects research undertaken to 31 December 2015 (Published 19 February 2016)

Page 6 of 6