Australia’s Automotive Skills Shortage: Top 5 Occupations on the Jobs and Skills Australia Shortage List
16.12.2025
5 mins to read
Australia’s automotive sector is facing one of its most critical skills shortages in years. Workshops are stretched thin, dealerships are struggling to fill vacancies, and the demand for qualified technicians is growing faster than supply. For anyone with experience as a mechanic, electrician, or body-shop specialist, this is not just news. It is an opportunity to step into a market that urgently needs expertise. Dive in to discover which five roles are most in demand and why these critical shortages make now the perfect time to consider a career move or a relocation to Australia.
Automotive jobs in demand — 2025 & 2026 snapshot
The most recent edition of the Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) 2025 Occupation Shortage List (OSL) shows that although overall national shortages have eased somewhat (29% of all occupations listed as in shortage), trade roles (including automotive) remain heavily affected. At the same time, the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) confirms that businesses across Australia continue to struggle to recruit qualified technicians. Moreover, in December 2024, the government decided to include core automotive trades on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), making them eligible for skilled-migration visa pathways. It is a strong signal that demand is structural.
Top 5 automotive skills shortage in 2025 —occupation shortage list
Before we get into the broader implications, let’s look at the roles Australia is struggling to fill right now. According to the newest 2025 shortage data, several automotive trades remain firmly in the red zone, continuing to shape hiring patterns across workshops and dealerships nationwide. Here are the five roles that stand out this year:
| Rank | Occupation | Notes |
| 1 | Motor Mechanic (General) | Confirmed as a shortage occupation in the 2025 OSL |
| 2 | Diesel Motor Mechanic | Listed with persistent recruitment difficulty in 2025 OSL data |
| 3 | Automotive Electrician | Identified as high-demand due to EV growth; included in 2025-relevant CSOL update |
| 4 | Panel Beater / Vehicle Body Repairer | Reported as continuing shortage across dealerships and repair networks in 2025 industry reports |
| 5 | Automotive Painter / Body Shop Specialist | Included in 2025 shortage-affected body-repair trades per the latest industry reporting |
Why the shortage is real, and why it is getting worse in automotive industry
If the numbers alone were not convincing, a closer look at what’s happening inside Australia’s workshops and training pipelines makes the picture even clearer. Here are the forces driving the shortage into 2025:
- Transition to more complex vehicles: EV adoption and electronics-heavy cars increase demand for technicians;
- Skilled-migration reliance: CSOL inclusion makes the industry increasingly dependent on overseas workers;
- Persistent recruitment difficulties: automotive roles remain hardest to fill in metro and regional Australia areas;
- Aging workforce and declining apprenticeships: training pipelines are insufficient to offset retirements.
What this means for workshops, industry, and skilled workers
For workshops and dealerships across Australia, the current shortage is leading to longer wait times for customers, reduced daily capacity, and growing pressure to keep up with increasingly complex vehicles. For skilled automotive technicians, however, this challenging environment translates into a market full of open opportunities, attractive job conditions, and clear visa pathways designed specifically to support in-demand automotive talent. Across the industry, the situation underscores the crucial role of continuous training, upskilling, and workforce development, especially as the shift toward EVs and advanced vehicle technologies accelerates.
To facilitate the recruitment and relocation process, we will find the ideal automotive job for your position. What now?
Go to the website (click) -> filter by location – enter Australia -> find your position -> apply.
Can’t find your position? Send us an email: [email protected]
Is this the moment to consider Australia? — Yes, especially if…
If you are a qualified mechanic, diesel specialist, automotive electrician, or body-shop professional, the current landscape in Australia offers one of the strongest opportunities in years. Those open to relocation (whether within metropolitan areas or into regional centres) are finding roles quicker than ever, as employers widen their searches to keep up with rising demand. Also, for anyone eager to work with modern vehicle systems, including EVs and electronically advanced models, Australia’s workshops provide a setting where these skills are not only valued but increasingly essential.
Why 2025 might be the right time for a skilled migration
The newest 2025 figures leave little room for doubt: Australia’s automotive talent gap is not a passing dip. With key trades locked into the Core Skills Occupation List and fresh industry reports signalling long-term demand, this year marks a rare moment when skilled technicians are not just needed. They are in the driver’s seat. For anyone considering a move, 2025 offers a genuine chance to step into a market that rewards expertise, boosts careers, and welcomes motivated specialists with open arms.
Sources:
https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/news/shortages-ease-gaps-persist-2025-occupation-shortage-list
https://www.aada.asn.au/submission/2025-core-skills-occupation-list-submission
https://www.aada.asn.au/bulletin/vital-auto-tech-jobs-recognised-in-core-skills-occupation-list
https://ausmasa.org.au/news-and-events/automotive-roundtables-summary-february-2025
https://www.aada.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025.09.26-response-to-the-CSOL-consultation.pdf
