Australia is experiencing widespread skill shortages across various industries, impacting sectors such as healthcare, teaching, construction, technology and more. Significant skill shortages in blue-collar jobs mean that all trades are in high demand.
Several factors contribute to these shortages, including an aging workforce, increased demand for specialised skills, and the lingering effects of border closures during the pandemic.
Australia has a history of paying its workers more than NZ, and if living in Australia has always intrigued you, then why not spend some time running the numbers and seeing how much more you will be paid if you make the move to Australia from New Zealand?
If you’re qualified (or open to upskilling), there are real opportunities to earn more than you can in NZ, and you may even be paid to make the move.
Based on Australia’s 2024 Occupation Shortage List, the roles below are among the most in-demand, and Australian employers are actively seeking skilled workers to help fill these critical gaps.
| Occupation | Skill Level | |
| Registered Nurses | 1 | |
| General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers | 1 | |
| Aged and Disabled Carers | 4 | |
| Physiotherapists | 1 | |
| Psychologists | 1 | |
| Software and Applications Programmers | 1 | |
| ICT Business and Systems Analysts | 1 | |
| Cybersecurity Experts | 1 | |
| Civil Engineering Professionals | 1 | |
| Electrical Engineers | 1 | |
| Construction Managers | 1 | |
| Electricians | 3 | |
| Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers | 1 | |
| Primary School Teachers | 1 | |
| Secondary School Teachers | 1 | |
| Plumbers | 3 | |
| Carpenters and Joiners | 3 | |
| Metal Fabricators | 3 |
Source: Australia Jobs in Demand – Skilled Occupation List 2025.
The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) outlines the skill levels required for various occupations. Below is a summary of the five skill levels, from Level 1 (highest) to Level 5 (lowest).
The Victorian state government has invested significantly in the Best Start, Best Life reforms, expanding kindergarten programs across the state and creating more career pathways and opportunities for early childhood education (ECE) professionals.
There is generous financial support of between $9,000 and $50,000 available for eligible early childhood teachers, plus relocation support of up to $8,000 to help you make the move to Victoria with ease.
You can read more in my post about moving from NZ to teach kindergarten.
With major infrastructure projects underway, tradies are in high demand across Australia. Skilled workers in plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and civil works may be eligible for both job offers and relocation support.
Search Seek.com.au to see what similar roles to yours are paying in Australia.
There’s a strong demand for nurses, aged care workers, and allied health professionals. Some employers offer relocation incentives of up to $10,000–$20,000 AUD, as well as ongoing professional development support.
Register with Healthcare Australia, they assist with your move and offer jobs with great pay and full support.
Editor’s sidenote: My sister, who lives in Noosa (over 10 years), completed an Australia government-funded course (disability sector) to find a new career/upskill, and she loves her new job, her workmates, and finds real personal satisfaction in what she does.
For any butchers reading this, there is a major shortage in Australia. A Sydney butcher is desperately trying to fill a $130,000 role says he has received more than 140 applications, and “not one was from Australia”.
Read more in the News.com.au article, which covers fourth-generation butcher Mr Wright’s recruitment challenges, the broader shortage in skilled trades, the mismatch between high application volume and low suitability, and the long-term impacts of education trends. It also highlights the industry-wide crisis, the economic fallout, and includes expert insights into how Australia could begin to address its growing skills shortage.
As of 2025, Australia’s most in-demand qualifications are tied to industries facing critical skill shortages, particularly due to population growth, infrastructure investment, and healthcare demands. Here’s a list of the most sought-after qualifications:
Special mention: The Victorian Government is offering up to $50,000 in incentives for early childhood teachers moving from New Zealand. Learn more.
The Australian Government is proactive when it comes to addressing skill shortages, and one of the key ways it does this is by funding training programs to help people upskill and move into in-demand industries. And the amazing news is, New Zealand citizens are eligible for government-funded courses in Australia, YAY!
Amended content: Shout out Sara in the comments!
I didn’t think SCV holders were eligible for governemnt funded courses in Australia, but thanks to Sara I now know they are. How cool is this online community!
Government-funded courses are available through a range of programs aimed at making education more accessible. This often includes fee-free or subsidised training at TAFEs and other registered training organisations, with a strong focus on sectors experiencing workforce shortages.
New Zealand citizens on an SCV are also generally eligible for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs), meaning the Australian government pays a portion of their tuition fees, similar to Australian citizens, according to Study Assist, an Australian Government website. However, we are not eligible for HELP study loans unless we have been in Australia for 10 years.
Therefore, if you’re open to gaining new qualifications, completing a certificate-level course can significantly improve your job prospects. Most certificates take between 6 to 12 months full-time, and many also offer flexible or part-time options.
According to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (November 2024), the average Australian salary is $1,975.80 per week, or $102,741.60 annually.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that averages can be skewed by very high earners. A more accurate reflection of what most Australians earn is the median salary, which offers a clearer picture.
As of August 2024, the median weekly earnings for all employees are $1,396, which equates to $72,592 per year. When broken down by gender, males earn a median of $1,577 per week ($82,004 annually), while females earn $1,200 per week ($62,400 annually), according to the ABS.
For a breakdown of industries, age, and state, read the recently published guide, Average Salary in Australia by Age, State, and Industry by Man of Many.
If you’ve been thinking about moving to Australia, finding a job will be high on your to-do list, and now is a great time to explore your options. With strong demand across key industries and attractive incentives on offer, your skills (or future skill base) aren’t just welcomed, they’re being actively recruited.
Start preparing, do your research, and make a plan for your future in Australia:
The below posts might interest you:
I’m here to help! If you want to know something specific about Moving to Australia, you can ask me in the comments section below, and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction. If I haven’t covered it on this site, I will research the answer for you.
This website’s up-to-date, comprehensive content has helped many New Zealanders plan their moves to OZ.
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I love helping people via Moving to Australia.
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Sally N
July 22, 2025 at 4:04 pmHi great to read your site info. My 19 yr old son is just starting his 2nd year as an Electrical Apprentice and he is looking to move to Queensland. It looks like he may get funding for TAFE courses, as a NZ citizen – is that right? But no other incentives to move and continue his apprenticeship training? Thanks
JJ Smith
July 29, 2025 at 4:28 pmHi Sally,
Thanks for your comment.
Is your son studying or is he earning his qualification while working? His 1st year of training should be recognised in Australia.
Yes, your son may get funding for electrical apprenticeship training at TAFE Queensland. Here is a link so he can check out the different options: https://tafeqld.edu.au/search-results?searchterm=Electrical%20Apprenticeship®ion=&type=courses. But as you would have read, he will not be eligible for HELP student loans, so will need to pay any costs upfront.
Incentives will be offered by employers directly, but I have not been able to find any job posts with incentives advertised.
For on the job training, he should search Seek.com.au: https://www.seek.com.au/.
I hope the above helps.
Juanita Nieuwoudt
July 20, 2025 at 7:52 pmHi, my husband and I are interested in joining our son in Goulburn next year. I’m a Level 4 Pharmacy Technician and not sure how the levels or qualification regarding Technicians work. Any resources or information you can help me with. Regards
JJ Smith
July 21, 2025 at 12:36 pmHi Juanita,
Thank you for your comment.
Your Level 4 Pharmacy Technician qualification from New Zealand should be recognised in Australia under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (TTMRA). This agreement allows many NZ qualifications to be accepted in Australia, meaning you generally won’t need to complete further study or exams to work in your field.
As a New Zealander moving on an SCV (Special Category Visa), your qualifications should be recognised by employers, and you’ll be able to start work as soon as you secure a role.
Regarding finding a Pharmacy Technician job in Goulburn, there are not a lot of job listings on Seek, so you should think outside the box slightly: https://www.seek.com.au/pharmacy-technician-jobs/in-Shepparton-&-Goulburn-Valley-VIC.
Definitely keep an eye on Seek.com.au, but also consider reaching out directly to pharmacies in Goulburn. Let them know you’re planning to move to the area to be closer to your son and ask if they anticipate any upcoming vacancies. Be sure your CV is up to date and ready to include with your enquiry.
It would also be worth having a good read through Google search results, as a position might pop up another platform: https://www.google.com/search?q=goulburn+pharmacy+technician+jobs&client=firefox-b-e&sca_esv=5fcd1579d98d7844&ei=QYh9aOOGKfGE4-EPjorxyQY&oq=goulburn+Pharmacy+Technician+&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiHWdvdWxidXJuIFBoYXJtYWN5IFRlY2huaWNpYW4gKgIIADIFECEYoAEyBRAhGKABMgUQIRigAUilKlDEDljwIHABeAGQAQCYAcgCoAGkBqoBBTItMi4xuAEDyAEA-AEB-AECmAIEoALJBsICChAAGLADGNYEGEfCAg0QABiABBiwAxhDGIoFwgIOEAAYsAMY5AIY1gTYAQHCAhMQLhiABBiwAxhDGMgDGIoF2AEBwgIiEC4YgAQYsAMYQxjHARiYBRjIAxiZBRiKBRieBRivAdgBAcICGRAuGIAEGLADGEMYxwEYyAMYigUYrwHYAQHCAgoQABiABBhDGIoFwgIKEC4YgAQYQxiKBcICEBAuGIAEGEMYxwEYigUYrwHCAgUQLhiABJgDAIgGAZAGE7oGBggBEAEYCZIHBzEuMC4yLjGgB9QcsgcFMi0yLjG4B7gGwgcFMi0yLjLIByA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp.
I hope the above helps.
Sara
July 16, 2025 at 4:08 pmGreat content! I moved over from Wellington to Melbourne in 2023 and your information helped me do it! However, New Zealand citizens are definitely eligible for government-funded courses, eg free TAFE – I just recently completed the Individual Support one for free! We’re also considered domestic students and qualify for Commonwealth supported places in higher education. Unfortunately, unless a NZer has a special category visa, we’re not eligible for HELP loans. I found this out *after* we moved and with two uni students it’s rather challenging having to pay upfront for tuition. On the plus side, they won’t be burdened with student debt!
JJ Smith
July 16, 2025 at 5:26 pmHi Sara,
Thank you so much for comment and compliment! I’m so happy my content helped you. That’s the best part of my job
I really appreciate you pointing out that New Zealanders are eligible for government-funded courses. I will amend my content asap, as that is amazing.
I love your positivity about the loan. Yes, we aren’t eligible for study loans, but why should that stop you!
I hope you’re loving Melbourne. It’s such a very cool city.
Thanks again,
JJ Smith
Mike
July 16, 2025 at 3:32 pmI need a secondary teaching job where there is relocation please?
Kind regards,
Mike
JJ Smith
July 16, 2025 at 5:43 pmHi Mike,
You can find secondary teaching jobs with relocation support by search Seek.com.au, e.g. https://www.seek.com.au/secondary-teacher-with-relocation-support-jobs.
Each Australia state and territories governments control any government level incentives and I can’t find any other than Gov VIC’s early childhood teachers Kinder program, so I recommend searching for individual companies that are listing relocation support or financial incentives. You can also ask if they offer any relocation support.
I hope the above helps.
Scott Martin
July 16, 2025 at 3:16 pmHello, my wife and I maybe interested in joining our son in Melbourne, but not sure if my traffic mgmt qualifications and experience as a STMS would be acceptable or do I have to start again?
JJ Smith
July 16, 2025 at 5:07 pmHi Scott,
Thanks for your comment.
In general, New Zealander qualifications are transferable to Australia under the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition arrangement.
New Zealand qualifications are generally recognized in Australia due to the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement. This means that some New Zealand qualifications may be recognized without needing further assessment, particularly for university degrees, certificates, and certain registered occupations like plumbers and electricians.
If you want to confirm if you qualifications are accepted in Australia, I think the easiest way is to search Seek.com.au (https://www.seek.com.au/) for a relevant position and call/contact the company or recruitment agency who listed the job. Who knows, you might end up sending them your CV, so get it ready.
To work as a Site Traffic Management Supervisor (STMS) in Victoria, you will need to obtain a White Card after your arrive in Australia. White Card’s cannot be tested for in New Zealand. A White Card is mainly for health and safety in the workplace, which is taken very seriously in Australia. You can read more in my White Card Australia post – https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/white-card-australia/.
You will also need to complete a refresher traffic management course every three years, but I am sure your employer will help you with this.
Here are some links to check out:
– Traffic Contoller, Seek.com.au – https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/role/traffic-controller
– MultiSkills Training – https://www.multiskills.com.au/authorised-traffic-controllers-in-victoria/
I hope the above helps. Good luck.