The latest Skills Shortages Report from the Department of Employment states shortages exist “… in the automotive and food trades, where candidate fields are relatively small and there are few applicants who have the required qualifications and experience.” In particular, 26 occupations have been assessed as being in national shortage. Of these 7 are in the managerial and professional levels, while 18 are at the technicians and trades level.

Accountants, Solicitors, Dentists and Pharmacists may have to make way for Cooks, Butchers, Floor Finishers, Roof Tilers and Landscape Gardeners in the Skills Occupation List, if the report on Skills Shortages in Australia is followed. The report has identified occupations in automotive trades and food trades as being ones that employers are “unable to fill or have considerable difficulty filling vacancies for ...at current levels of remuneration and conditions of employment...”

While the report notes that there are often many applicants for vacancies, the applicants are often unable to meet the skill level required. Employers need experienced workers. The report states that regional vacancies often require experienced workers (this is particularly the case in some nursing and health specialisations), and opportunities for new graduates in some locations are restricted due to limited available support and mentoring.

New South Wales is now the tightest labour market, with employers in that state filling a relatively low proportion of their vacancies and attracting few suitable applicants.

Notably, the report has declared there are “no shortages’ for the following occupations Accountants, External Auditor, Solicitor, Valuer, Construction Project, Manager, Architect, Surveyor, Urban and Regional Planner, Quantity Surveyor, Carpenter and Joiner, Painting trades workers, Plumber, Electrician (general), Lift Mechanic, Electronic Equipment/Instrument Trades Worker, Radio Communications Technician, Chemical Engineers, Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineering Draftsperson, Electrical Engineering Draftspersons, Metal Fabricator, Welder, Fitter, Metal Machinist, Metallurgist, Dentist, Pharmacists, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Radiation Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Podiatrist, Speech Pathologist, Nursing Clinical Director,  all the 6 ACS assessed occupations on the SOL, Secondary School Teacher, Special Needs Teacher, Child Care Centre Manager,

The report identifies shortages for the following occupations: Geologists, Geophysicists, Audiologist, Mine Deputy, Panelbeater, Floor Finisher, Roof Tiler, Arborist, Landscape Gardener, Baker, Pastrycook, Butcher or Smallgoods Maker, Chef/Cook, Child care worker, Farm Managers, Building Associate, and Hairdresser (shortage in metropolitan areas).

Here's a link to a summary of the report: 

http://docs.employment.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/skillshortagessummary2013.pdf