What Employers Want in 2026
Data-driven insights into the skills, qualifications, and attributes Australian employers are actively seeking—based on industry research and hiring trends.
Australia is facing persistent skills shortages across multiple industries. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, 139 occupations have been in shortage for five consecutive years, with nearly one in three occupations officially in shortage. Understanding what employers actually want has never been more critical for job seekers.
Sources: Jobs and Skills Australia 2025, Master Builders Australia, Hays Salary Guide
Soft Skills: What Employers Rate Highest
According to the Hays Salary Guide, 96% of Australian employers consider soft skills to be either more important or equally important to technical skills. Here's how they rank the most valuable soft skills:
Employer Soft Skills Rankings (Hays 2025)
Industry-Specific Requirements
Construction & Trades
With the Federal Government's goal to build 1.2 million new homes by 2029, construction is experiencing unprecedented demand. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, 50% of Technician and Trades Worker occupations are in national shortage, with all Construction Trades Worker roles officially in shortage.
Most In-Demand Construction Tickets
Top trades in demand: Electricians (especially for solar and battery storage), carpenters (formwork, framing, fit-out), boilermakers, and plumbers. Having multiple machinery tickets significantly increases your employability—employers value versatility.
Civil Construction
Large-scale infrastructure projects across road, rail, water, and energy are driving massive demand for civil construction workers. Civil engineering professionals have access to multiple visa streams due to persistent shortages.
- Cert II/III in Civil Construction - Entry-level qualification for civil work
- Excavator ticket - Essential for earthmoving roles
- Roller compactor ticket - Required for road construction
- Grader ticket - Valued for road and site preparation
- Rail Industry Worker (RIW) Card - Required for any rail network projects
Hospitality & Food Service
The Australian hospitality sector is expected to grow 3.8% annually until 2035, with over 870,000 Australians currently employed in the industry. One in four workers under 25 holds a hospitality job.
Legally Required
- • RSA (state-specific, for alcohol service)
- • Food Safety Supervisor (one per business)
- • Food Handler Certificate (all food staff)
Highly Valued
- • Barista training
- • RCG (for gaming venues)
- • Weekend/evening availability
New Requirement (Dec 2022): Food Standard 3.2.2A now requires all employees who work with food to have completed specific food safety training—not just kitchen staff, but anyone who serves, moves, delivers, or cleans food or equipment.
Healthcare & Aged Care
Australia's ageing population is creating sustained demand for care workers. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has driven increased regulatory requirements and emphasis on qualified workers.
- Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) - The industry standard entry qualification. While not legally mandated, employers rarely hire without it for care roles
- NDIS Worker Screening Check - Required for anyone working with NDIS participants
- First Aid Certificate (HLTAID011) - Must be current, with annual CPR refresher
- Working with Children Check - Required for roles involving children
- Manual Handling Training - Essential for patient care roles
Career pathway: Certificate III leads to roles like individual support worker, assistant in nursing (AIN), or home and community care worker. Certificate IV in Ageing Support opens leadership opportunities, while a Diploma of Nursing is required to become an Enrolled Nurse.
Warehousing & Logistics
E-commerce growth continues to drive demand for warehouse and logistics workers. Employers typically look for candidates with 1-2 years of forklift experience.
- Forklift License (LF) - Essential for most warehouse roles. Average salary: $55,000-$75,000/year
- MR/HR License - Opens delivery and transport roles
- VOC (Verification of Competency) - Often required when changing worksites
- Basic WMS skills - Warehouse Management System knowledge increasingly expected
Pre-employment note: Most warehouse employers require criminal history checks and pre-employment medicals including drug and alcohol testing. Factor this into your job search timeline.
What Sets Candidates Apart
Beyond qualifications, employers consistently highlight these differentiating factors:
Reliability
Showing up on time, completing tasks, following through. Employers say this is often harder to find than technical skills.
Multiple Tickets
Candidates with several relevant tickets are more versatile and valuable. Cross-training significantly increases job security.
Safety Mindset
Understanding and commitment to WHS requirements. Employers prioritise candidates who take safety seriously.
Make Your Profile Stand Out
On SecureMatch, employers filter candidates by specific criteria. To maximise your visibility:
- Add ALL your licenses and tickets - Employers filter by these, so missing tickets means missing opportunities
- Keep your availability accurate - Many employers need workers quickly and filter by availability
- Be specific about experience - Years in industry and types of sites/environments you've worked in
- Highlight your soft skills - Teamwork, communication, and reliability matter as much as tickets
Ready to Get Noticed by Employers?
Create your free SecureMatch profile and let employers come to you. Your privacy is protected until you accept a connection.
Create Your ProfileSources
- Jobs and Skills Australia - Skills Shortage Report 2025
- Hays Salary Guide 2025 - Soft Skills Survey
- Master Builders Australia - Apprenticeship Data 2023
- Food Standards Australia - Food Standard 3.2.2A
- SafeWork NSW - High Risk Work Licences
Last updated: January 2026