The National Skills Commission (NSC) on Thursday released its annual update of the Skills Priority List, revealing 286 occupations are struggling to fill vacant jobs in 2022, up from 153 in 2021.
Registered nurses, software engineers, care workers, construction managers, childcare workers and mechanics are the most in-demand employees.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was committed to "giving people on-the-job work experience" by funding more apprenticeships and traineeships.
Of Australia's 20 biggest employing occupations more than half are facing skills shortages.
Brendan O'Connor, minister for skills and training, will on Friday meet with state and territory officials to address the crisis.
"This is a staggering increase, highlighting the urgent need to respond to the biggest skills and labor shortages in decades, which is compounding economic challenges," he said.
"By investing in skills, we can capitalize on the demonstrable connection between a trained and skilled workforce and a more productive economy," he said.
The federal government in September increased Australia's permanent skilled migrant intake for the current financial year from 160,000 to 195,000 in a bid to address the skills shortages.
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