More jobs are being filled – but the hunt for chefs remains difficult

Labour vacancies are falling across the country according to the Australian Government’s quarterly Labour Market Update and Occupation Shortage Report.

The number of vacant positions filled across occupations nationwide grew 5.5 per cent over 2024, with just under one per cent of that growth happening in the final quarter. Strong population growth and increased employment in 13 of 19 sectors contributed to the easing labour market.

Despite the increasing number of positions being filled, chefs remained among the largest occupations in shortage last year. The occupation has now been in shortage for four years.

The report noted that gender-skew in occupations could be impacting the shortages with half of the occupations where men constituted at least 80 per cent of the workforce being in shortage. In contrast, only 22 per cent of occupations with more gender balance were in shortage.

The 2021 census showed a gender-skew of 72.8 per cent men to 27.2 per cent women in chef roles.

According to the December 2024 Occupation Shortage Report, other reasons for persistent shortages are multifaceted.

“They include population ageing, technology advances, and other impacts of structural changes in the labour market, such as, constraints in the supply of qualified and experienced workers, working conditions and pay, and government policies and regulations. Any future solutions to address persistent shortages will, therefore, likely need to be long-term and holistic,” states the report.

Unemployment grew from its historical low of 3.5 per cent in June 2023, to 4.1 per cent in 2024 – although it remains low when compared to the last decade. Full time employment growth has also slowed.

The Occupation Shortage Report offers quarterly analysis of potential shortage pressures in Australian occupations, based on data from Jobs and Skills Australia.

Photography by Clem Onojeghuo.