The Urgent Need for Chefs in Australia: A Look at the SkillSelect Visa Backlog

As of February 28, 2023, there are thousands of skilled workers waiting for their 189 Skilled Independent visa to be granted under the SkillSelect system in Australia. Among these waiting applicants, the top 7 occupations include chefs, general accountants, mechanical engineers, civil engineers, registered nurses, software engineers, and aged care nurses.

Top 7 occupations waiting for visa GRANT (28 Feb 2023)

1. Chefs

The occupation that has the highest number of applicants waiting for their PR visas is Chef , with a total of 1,923 applications in the queue. This indicates a growing demand for hospitality professionals in the country. The pandemic has significantly affected the sector in Australia, leading to a shortage of skilled chefs. This has resulted in an urgent need for qualified and experienced chefs to fill in the vacancies.

Chef has also been ranked as the 8th most in-demand occupation in Australia in the recently published Labour Market Update report (by Jobs and Skills Australia).

2. Accountants

In second place, with 1,615 applicants waiting for their visa, are General Accountants . The importance of the accounting profession in any country cannot be overemphasized. Accountants play a crucial role in ensuring the financial stability and growth of organizations. As a result, Australia has a growing demand for qualified accountants to fill in the numerous vacancies available across the country.

3. Mechanical Engineers

The third occupation on the list is Mechanical Engineers , with 1,432 applicants waiting for their visas. These professionals are highly sought after in the manufacturing, construction, and mining industries in Australia. Mechanical engineers design, develop, and test mechanical devices and systems, making them essential in many industries.

4. Civil Engineers

Civil Engineers , who rank fourth on the list with 1,293 applicants, are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings. With the increasing population and urbanization in Australia, the demand for qualified and experienced civil engineers has grown, leading to a backlog of visa applications.

5. Registered Nurses and 6. Software Engineers

Registered Nurses (nec) and Software Engineers rank fifth and sixth on the list, with 1,096 and 994 applicants waiting for their visas, respectively. Registered nurses are in high demand in Australia’s healthcare industry, and the pandemic has further emphasized their importance. Software engineers, on the other hand, play a crucial role in the country’s technology sector, which is experiencing rapid growth.

7. Aged Care Nurses

Finally, in seventh place, are Registered Nurses (Aged Care) , with 924 applicants waiting for their visas. Aged care nurses are responsible for providing care and support to elderly people in residential care facilities. With an aging population in Australia, the demand for aged care nurses has grown, leading to a backlog of visa applications.