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Australia's Occupation Shortage List: What the 2026 JSA Report Means for Skilled Migrants
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has released its 2026 Occupation Shortage List (OSL), identifying 279 occupations in national shortage, representing 27% of occupations assessed.
While shortages continue in construction, healthcare and education, the ICT sector has seen further easing, with only 6 ICT occupations classified as being in shortage.
For skilled migrants, these changes highlight the importance of reviewing occupation eligibility and visa pathways rather than relying on labour market demand alone.
Trades and Engineering Remain Under Pressure
Despite an overall reduction in shortages, nearly half of Australia's technician and trade occupations remain in shortage.
Persistent workforce gaps continue across construction, engineering and electrotechnology trades, particularly where employers struggle to find suitably qualified and experienced workers.
JSA also identifies training limitations, applicant suitability and workforce retention as key drivers of ongoing shortages.
However, being in a shortage occupation does not automatically guarantee visa eligibility or an invitation.
ICT Occupations: A Sharp Contraction
Australia's ICT labour market has become increasingly competitive.
According to the 2026 OSL, only 6 ICT occupations remain in national shortage, compared with 7 in 2025.
Several ICT occupations, including Software Engineer, are no longer classified as being in national shortage.
However, this does not mean ICT professionals can no longer apply for permanent residency.
Eligibility for the Subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas depends on the applicable skilled occupation lists, skills assessments, points and nomination requirements, not simply whether an occupation appears on the JSA shortage list.
Which ICT Roles Remain on the Shortage List?
The six ICT occupations identified as being in national shortage in 2026 are:
- Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialists
- Penetration Testers
- Cyber Governance, Risk and Compliance Specialists
- Cyber Security Architects
- Cloud Engineers
- DevOps Engineers
These reflect areas where employers continue to experience recruitment difficulties.
Important: JSA shortage classifications do not necessarily correspond directly to the ANZSCO occupation codes used for migration applications. Applicants should confirm their nominated occupation and visa eligibility separately.
What This Means for Your Visa Strategy
Not on the shortage list? Your PR options may still be open.
ICT professionals should review their current migration strategy, particularly if they have been waiting for a skilled visa invitation.
Key considerations include:
- 189 Skilled Independent: Check your occupation eligibility, EOI points and invitation prospects.
- 190/491 State Nomination: Review state-specific occupation criteria, employment requirements and nomination opportunities.
- 482 Skills in Demand Visa: Explore employer sponsorship where your occupation and circumstances meet the relevant requirements.
- 186 Employer Nomination Scheme: Consider permanent employer-sponsored pathways where eligible.
A positive skills assessment or an eligible occupation alone does not guarantee an invitation or visa grant.
Key Takeaways
- 279 occupations were in national shortage in 2026, down to 27% of occupations assessed.
- Construction, engineering, healthcare and education continue to experience persistent workforce shortages.
- Only 6 ICT occupations remain classified as nationally in shortage.
- Being removed from the JSA shortage list does not automatically remove PR eligibility.
- Occupation codes, skills assessments, state nomination criteria and employer sponsorship options should be reviewed individually.
- A well-planned migration strategy should consider more than one potential visa pathway.
Is Your ICT Occupation Still Eligible for Australian PR?
Working in IT but unsure whether your occupation still offers a realistic migration pathway?
You may have more options than the latest shortage figures suggest.
At Riverwood Migration, our migration lawyers can assess your occupation classification, skills assessment, EOI points and eligibility for skilled or employer-sponsored visas.
Review your options before spending more time waiting for an invitation that may not come.
Official Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia – 2026 Occupation Shortage List
- JSA – Occupation Shortage Search
- Department of Home Affairs – Skilled Occupation List
- Australian Computer Society – ICT Skills Assessment
The content of this article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and subject to change. The information provided may not reflect the most current legal developments. For advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a registered Australian migration lawyer. For full terms governing use of this website and its content, please refer to our Website Terms and Conditions.
Speak with a Riverwood Migration Lawyer
For skilled migration and skills assessment matters, we recommend speaking with Scott Gan, our lawyer specialising in points-tested visas and occupation skills assessments. Book a consultation to discuss your circumstances.
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