The Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) says the 2026 Occupation Shortage List (OSL) released by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) confirms that automotive workforce shortages remain persistent and unresolved.
MTAA has been pressing the Government to recognise persistent automotive skills shortages through its engagement with JSA, while calling for priority visa processing for automotive trades and stronger apprenticeship support.
While the overall share of occupations in national shortage fell from 29% in 2025 to 27% in 2026, Technicians and Trades Workers continue to record the highest shortage rate of any major occupational group at 48%.
Nine automotive trades occupations have been in persistent shortage in every OSL since 2021, with a further two since 2022.
"National shortages may be easing, but automotive workshops are still struggling to find the people they need," MTAA Executive Director the Hon Bruce Billson said.
"MTAA's latest workforce survey found employers filled fewer than half their vacancies, with more than 90% reporting recruitment difficulties."
While other skills shortages attract much more attention, the simple fact recognised during COVID remains – the automotive tradespeople and technicians “keep you moving” and are vital to enabling people to pursue their important economic, employment, family and personal contribution.
Separate JSA research estimated 40,100 vacancies across automotive and engineering trades in the November 2025 quarter, compared with 26,900 online job advertisements, highlighting workforce demand not fully captured by traditional recruitment measures.
Mr Billson said the Government's skilled visa processing priorities were overlooking automotive trades despite years of documented shortages.
"Automotive technicians are in chronic shortage, yet they are missing from the new priority visa processing arrangements that recognise critical skills needs in other industries.
"Skilled migration won't replace domestic training, but businesses need access to qualified workers while we build the next generation of technicians."
MTAA's engagement with JSA has also highlighted automotive occupations where employer evidence points to persistent shortages despite official classifications suggesting otherwise.
Mr Billson said addressing the domestic training pipeline was equally critical.
"Apprenticeship incentives have fallen from up to $37,000 to around $5,000, while only around half of automotive apprentices complete their training.
"We need stronger incentives, better mentoring and training providers with the resources and equipment to prepare the next generation of technicians.”
Mr Billson said the consequences of persistent shortages extended beyond the workshop.
"When workshops can't find technicians, motorists wait longer, repairs cost more and vehicle safety can be put at risk.
"We can't build the automotive workforce of tomorrow by neglecting the one we need today."
MTAA will continue working with the Government, Jobs and Skills Australia and Jobs and Skills Councils to improve training, workforce planning and skilled migration settings.
ENDS
Media contact
Claire Johnson
Motor Trades Association of Australia
M: 0401 282 550
E: info@mtaa.com.au
