Skip navigation
Government of South Australia - Department of State Development

    Health and care

    The health care and social assistance industry remains the largest contributor to South Australia's economy and the largest employer, with close to 20 percent of the workforce employed in the sector.

    As the state’s population ages – demand for health services – and a suitably skilled workforce will also increase.

    Top 10 occupations in demand

    The state of the industry now

    $16.9Beconomic contribution in 2024-25
    11.1%of Gross State Product
    Largestemploying sector in SA
    190,300people employed
    Learn more

    Interested in developing skills for jobs in health and care?

    What’s driving workforce demand?

    Australia’s ageing population is driving increased demand for health services – and a suitably skilled workforce – in particular for aged care, dementia care and palliative care.

    A high-turn-over of employees in roles such as aged and disability care is also driving increased demand for new entrants into the sector, while increased demand for mental health services is also driving workforce needs.

    The health and care sector remains heavily reliant on skilled migration, with a third of doctors and one out of every five nurses in Australia trained overseas, among the highest rates of dependence on international recruitment in the OECD [6].

    Workforce challenges are particularly acute in rural and remote areas, where health workforce supply is often disproportionately low relative to population needs.

    This results in limited service access, including for Aboriginal communities [7]. Increasing the supply and distribution of skilled health workers is critical to improving regional health services and meeting community expectations.

    Major government initiatives driving demand

    Federal and state initiatives and reforms in the health and care sector seek to ensure quality care is provided across a range of services, opening up new employment opportunities.

    • The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides funding to eligible people with disability so they can gain greater independence and an improved quality of life. This is creating demand for quality allied health, disability and other care workers.
    • The new Aged Care Act, which started on 1 November 2025, places older Australians at the centre of their aged care experience and sets out how the aged care system operates, including providing a revised set of aged care provider obligations.
    • The new Womens and Children’s hospital, to be built at the SAPOL Barracks site, near the Royal Adelaide Hospital, will be 25 percent bigger than the current WCH, with 56 more overnight beds than the current WCH
    • Regional healthcare improvements, including a new emergency department for Clare Hospital and the Murray Bridge redevelopment of the maternity ward and birthing unit, and a new purpose-built renal unit is likely to influence demand for skilled workers in those areas.

    Skills in demand

    A range of health and care occupations have forecast strong demand into the future – spanning aged and disability care, nursing, mental health and allied health professionals.

    Top 10 occupations in demand and shortage status

    Occupation*Level of future demandYears in shortage**Training pathway
    Aged and Disability CarersStrongShortage since 2021VET
    Registered NursesStrongShortage since 2022Higher Education
    Welfare Support Workers (disability services officer, family support worker, youth worker)StrongNo shortageVET or Higher Education
    Generalist Medical PractitionersStrongShortage since 2021Higher Education
    Nursing Support and Personal Care WorkersStrongShortage since 2021VET
    Social WorkersStrongShortage since 2023

    Higher Education

    Early Childhood EducatorsStrongShortage since 2021VET
    PhysiotherapistsStrongShortage since 2021

    Higher Education

    Health and Welfare Services ManagerStrongNo shortageVET or Higher Education
    Occupational TherapistsStrongShortage since 2021

    Higher Education

    * As defined in Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, 2022 Australian Update

    ** According to Jobs and Skills Australia’s Occupation Shortage Lists (for South Australia)

    Skill shortage definition: Shortages exist when employers are unable to fill or have considerable difficulty filling vacancies for an occupation - or significant specialised skill needs within that occupation - at current levels of remuneration and conditions of employment and in reasonably accessible locations. Jobs and Skills Australia 2024.

    Workforce development plans

    To grow the pipeline of skilled health and care professionals, the Australian Government has introduced incentives and reforms to attract skilled workers to locations where they are most needed.

    The South Australian Government has also developed and is actioning a number of workforce plans targeting specific professions and challenges.

    Support to develop skills or undertake training

    The South Australian Government has implemented targeted workforce initiatives, including a record intake of medical interns. In 2024, 313 medical interns commenced their careers in public hospitals, helping to alleviate workforce pressures and enhance community health services. [8]

    A range of initiatives to boost skills development and transition into the health and care workforce are continuing.

    South Australian Health Clinical Placement Coordination Team, Better Placed

    The Better Placed team works in conjunction with Local Health Networks (LHN) and statewide services to centrally administer clinical placements, optimising efficiency and effectiveness in sustaining the workforce.

    Learn more

    Commonwealth Supported Places for health-related skills

    There has been an increase in Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) to undertake degrees available at South Australian universities.

    Learn more

    Department of Human Services (DHS) support into disability care

    DHS is helping new entrants into the disability care sector gain job-ready, industry-specific skills and a nationally recognised qualification through TAFE SA.

    Learn more

    Fee-free TAFE and VET options

    A number of health and care related courses – including dental, nursing and pathology, aged care and disability support – are covered under Fee-Free TAFE or vocational education and training (VET) pathways.

    Learn more

    VET pathways into mental health support

    VET also provides a pathway into mental health support, particularly for those wishing to explore the field before pursuing university qualifications. Courses like the Mental Health Peer Work Skill Set and the Certificate IV in Mental Health provide excellent gateways into the sector.

    Learn more

    SA Health recruitment campaign

    FOR WORK. FOR LIFE. is SA Health’s recruitment campaign to attract skilled workers across medical, mental health and allied and scientific health professions.

    Learn more

    References

    [6] https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/health-at-a-glance-2023_7a7afb35-en.html, accessed 23 June 2026

    [7] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), 2023, Health and Welfare of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

    [8] https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-items/record-recruitment-of-new-doctors accessed 10 April 2026