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Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

    Jobs and Skills Outlook 2026

    An overview of current and future workforce and skill demands.
    READ THE JOBS AND SKILLS OUTLOOK 2026

    An assessment of current and emerging workforce needs, helping ensure our training system is responsive and future-focused.

    The Jobs and Skills Outlook 2026 draws on information about:

    • major government and industry initiatives
    • government modelling and labour market data
    • local and global influences such as demographic, technological, economic and geopolitical shifts.


    It provides valuable insights for government, business, employers, training providers, career advisers and job seekers at a time when South Australia has significant economic opportunity and strong potential to create more higher‑paying jobs.

    A highly skilled workforce is essential to support South Australia’s growth.

    Qualifications needed by 2030

    169,900 qualifications needed

    South Australia’s workforce and labour market now

    About 1 million people Employed
    18,800 vacant Jobs

    Vacant Jobs up 87% on the pre Covid-19 5-year average

    Top 10 employment sectors

    • 1. Health care and social assistance employs 190,300
    • 2. Construction employs 87,900
    • 3. Retail trade employs 87,900
    • 4. Education and training employs 86,400
    • 5. Professional, scientific and technical services employs 69,700
    • 6. Manufacturing employs 67,300
    • 7. Public administration and safety employs 63,900
    • 8. Accommodation and food services employs 63,200
    • 9. Transport, postal and warehousing employs 45,500
    • 10. Agriculture, forestry and fishing employs 37,600

    Other employment sectors are also driving economic growth

    • Technology employs 20,900
    • Mining employs 17,400
    • Defence industry employs 11,300
    • Clean energy employs 2,900

    *Top 10 based on Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, February 2026, Australian Bureau of Statistics (presented rounded to the nearest 100).

    **Technology, Defence industry, and Clean energy include employment which draws from multiple employment sectors listed above.

    1 ACS Digital Pulse 2025

    2 Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, February 2026, Australian Bureau of Statistics

    3 Australian Defence Industry Account, experimental estimates, 2024-25 financial year | Australian Bureau of Statistics (this figure does not include Australian Defence Force or Department of Defence personnel)

    4 Employment in Renewable Energy Activities, Australia, 2018-19 financial year | Australian Bureau of Statistics (scaled by Department of State Development to current employment levels)

    Industry growth sectors driving workforce demand

    South Australia needs skilled workers to deliver on economic growth opportunities, as well as to meet increasing demand for essential services like healthcare and education.

    The South Australian Government – in partnership with the Australian Government – is focused on building critical skills in these sectors.

    Department of State Development modelling has been used to determine the top 10 occupations in highest demand, across these sectors.

    Use the links below to learn more about in-demand jobs, including the education or training pathway to employment.

    Defence and manufacturing

    Delivery of Australia’s nuclear-powered, conventionally-armed submarines – as well as growth opportunities across the defence industry supply chain are driving demand for skilled workers.
    Learn more

    Construction and infrastructure

    Construction is already one of the state’s largest employment sectors, with skill shortages persisting and increased demand forecast in line with delivery of major housing and infrastructure projects.
    Learn more

    Clean energy

    South Australia’s leadership and transition to a low-carbon economy is stimulating business activity and driving growth opportunities across the economy.
    Learn more

    Technology and AI

    Advanced technologies, cyber security and AI are impacting the global economy, occupations, industry and society, with a skilled workforce essential to remain globally competitive.
    Learn more

    Education (including three-year-old preschool)

    Skilled workers will continue to be in high demand across the education and training sector, with major government investments in three-year-preschool, VET and higher education.
    Learn more

    Health and care

    As the largest employing sector in the state’s economy, skilled workers will continue to be in high demand, as our population ages and interstate and international competition for skilled workers continues.
    Learn more

    Where we need to be in 2030

    By 2030, it is expected South Australia will have a demand for 33,700 qualification attainments annually. This will include new learners, people broadening their skills and people upskilling.

    A range of Higher Education and VET qualifications will be in demand

    Demand for qualifications by type and higher education level 2026 to 2030


    Postgraduate qualification demand is expected to continue growing, while Bachelor qualifications also remain strong. These are particularly needed across health care, education and training, and professional scientific and technical services.

    Demand for qualifications by type and qualification level 2026 to 2030


    Within the VET sector, Certificate III and IV qualifications will account for a third of total qualification demand by 2030.

    Exploring career opportunities?

    Learn more about the top 10 jobs in demand across priority industry growth sectors

    Learn More

    Visit Skills SA for more information about:

    • Training, careers and pathway support

    • Hiring a skilled worker

    • Investment and training priorities in the skills system

    • Delivering high-quality training

    skills.sa.gov.au

    adelaide.edu.au
    flinders.edu.au
    torrens.edu.au

    For information about higher education qualifications visit South Australia’s major higher education providers at