The Department of Employment has released its 2016-17 Skill Shortage List for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), reflecting research undertaken to 30 June 2017.

This list shows occupations which were assessed by the Department specifically for the ACT, for which shortages or some recruitment difficulty is evident. 

According to the Department’s methodology, 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. 

With recruitment difficulties, there may be an adequate supply of skilled workers but some employers are unable to attract and recruit sufficient suitable workers. Reasons may include the specific experience or specialist skill requirements of the vacancy; differences in hours of work required by the employer and those sought by applicants; or particular locational or transport issues. 

Skills shortages in the ACT were found in occupations from motor mechanics, panel beaters, bricklayers, cabinet makers, plumbers and chefs. 

In the child care sector, shortages are particularly evident for diploma qualified child care workers sufficiently experienced for senior roles. Employers are also experiencing difficulty hiring early childhood (pre-primary school) teachers to work in the ACT child care sector.

Details about the methodology used in this research are available at employment.gov.au/skill-shortages.