Author: Sally Webster – Principal Legal Advisor
Western Australia continues to face widespread skills shortages across multiple sectors. Using the Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO 6-digit level), there are 916 occupations assessed nationally. Of these, around one-third (298 occupations) are flagged as experiencing some form of shortage in Western Australia across three classifications: “Shortage”, “Regional shortage” and “Metro shortage.
For Western Australian employers, local recruitment alone is not meeting demand, and employer sponsorship of skilled migrants will remain a critical workforce strategy.
Where are the shortages in Western Australia?
298 occupations are in shortage, including:
- 277 Shortage
- 20 Regional shortage
- 1 Metro shortage
Shortages are concentrated in higher skilled roles:
- Skill Level 1: 46% (136 occupations)
- Skill Level 3: 30% (89 occupations)
- Skill Levels 2 & 4: 24% combined
By ANZSCO major group:
- Professionals: 129 occupations (43%)
- Technicians & Trades Workers: 98 occupations (33%)
This shows Western Australia is struggling to attract and retain highly skilled professionals and qualified tradespeople, not just entry-level workers.
Key sectors feeling the pressure
- Health and aged care
Shortages include:
- 14 Registered Nurse specialisations
- Nurse Practitioner
- Physiotherapists and other allied health roles
Demand continues to outpace local supply, making sponsorship essential for hospitals, aged care and disability providers.
- Engineering, construction and resources
Shortages span:
- 26 engineering occupations
- Electricians, mechanics, plumbers, carpenters and other trades
With national shortages in these roles, interstate recruitment alone is insufficient. Planned overseas recruitment is increasingly necessary.
- Hospitality and tourism
Roles in shortage include:
- Chef (Regional shortage)
- Cook (Shortage)
- Pastrycook (Regional shortage)
Regional operators are particularly affected, reinforcing the value of regional migration pathways and DAMAs.
- Education and training
Shortages include:
- Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary and Special Education Teachers
- Vocational Education Teachers
This continues to challenge schools and training providers, especially in regional Western Australia.
What this means for Western Australian employers considering sponsorship
If you are recruiting in any of the occupations flagged as being in shortage in Western Australia, the data is telling you three key things:
- You are not alone, and you are not “failing” at recruitment.
The government’s own analysis recognises that local supply is not meeting demand in these roles. Shortages are systemic, not a reflection of recruitment performance.
- Business cases for sponsored visas are stronger when backed by evidence.
When you are seeking to sponsor workers under visas such as the Skills in Demand (subclass 482), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) or Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), it is powerful to demonstrate that:
- The occupation is formally recognised as being in shortage in Western Australia; and
- You have actively tried and struggled to recruit locally.
- Sponsorship should be part of workforce planning
Given the scale and persistence of shortages, sponsorship is most effective when built into medium‑term planning rather than used reactively.
Practical steps for employers: turning shortage data into action
Here are some practical ways Western Australian employers can use this data when sponsoring migrant workers:
- Map your critical roles to the shortage list
Identify which vacancies align with shortage occupations and prioritise roles with high turnover or long‑standing vacancies.
- Strengthen your recruitment evidence
For shortage occupations, ensure your internal processes support visa applications by:
- Keeping records of job ads, applicant numbers, reasons for non-selection
- Documenting delays, unfilled shifts, project impacts or service constraints caused by vacancies
This material helps meet formal requirements like Labour Market Testing where applicable.
- Consider regional pathways where “Regional shortage” is flagged
For occupations listed as a “Regional shortage” in Western Australia, explore whether your business can benefit from regional concessions, such as:
- Regional occupation lists
- The subclass 494 regional visa
- Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) where relevant
These pathways can sometimes offer broader occupation coverage, more flexible criteria, or pathways to permanent residence that can make your roles more attractive to overseas candidates.
- Use shortage data to support internal buy-in
HR teams often know firsthand that certain roles are difficult to fill, but it can be challenging to secure executive or board approval for the sponsorship of skilled migrants.
Clear evidence helps. Being able to demonstrate that your hard-to-fill roles fall within occupations officially identified as being in shortage in Western Australia can shift sponsorship from a “nice to have” to a business critical workforce strategy.
The bottom line for Western Australian employers
Western Australia’s shortages are broad, persistent and concentrated in skilled roles such as nurses, engineers, trades, teachers and hospitality professionals.
For many occupations, waiting for the local market to recover is not realistic. Sponsoring skilled migrants is not a last resort; it is a core workforce strategy.
Using evidence-based shortage data to guide recruitment and sponsorship decisions will help employers:
- Secure essential talent
- Maintain service delivery and project timelines
- Offer meaningful long-term opportunities for skilled migrants in Western Australia
How Absolute Immigration Australia can help
Navigating Western Australia’s skills shortages and employer sponsorship pathways can be complex, especially when roles are consistently difficult to fill.
Absolute Immigration supports employers by turning workforce challenges into clear, practical migration strategies. We can assist with:
- Listening to your workforce needs and advising on eligible occupations based on current shortage data and
- Advising on the most suitable visa pathways, including 482, 494, 186 and regional options
- Preparing strong sponsorship applications that demonstrate genuine need
- Supporting regional employers to access DAMAs and other concession pathways
- Managing end-to-end visa processes for skilled overseas workers
For support with Western Australia workforce planning, skilled migration or sponsorship applications, our team of immigration experts are here to help you secure the talent you need, and build a reliable pipeline of skilled workers for Western Australia. Contact us at aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com.
