If you’ve been thinking about a career change or upskilling, the numbers don’t lie. With skills shortages reaching new peaks, these are the trades in demand in Australia right now.
In fact, the latest MEGT Productivity Report (2025) shows that nearly 50% of all trade jobs are now hard to fill. We are seeing serious gaps in the workforce needed to build homes, power cities, and keep our roads running.
Furthermore, the government wants to build 1.2 million new homes. At the same time, the renewable energy boom is just starting. As a result, the demand for skilled workers will likely peak around 2026.
1. Electricians
The Situation: Everyone needs a sparky. Whether it is for a house, an office, or a solar farm, we simply do not have enough qualified electricians.
The Numbers: The industry needs about 32,000 more electricians by 2030 just to hit clean energy targets.
The Pay: It pays to be essential. According to SEEK, the average annual salary for Electrician jobs in Queensland ranges from $95,000 to $115,000. (Specialised mining roles can pay significantly higher).
Why Do It? Because of this high demand, it is one of the highest-paid trades. Additionally, you have many options, from local domestic work to high-paying industrial gigs.
Get Started with Major:
Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) – This is the perfect first step to get your foot in the door.
Electrical Apprenticeships – You can learn on the job and get qualified.
2. Metal Fitters and Machinists
The Situation: Mining and manufacturing employers are desperate for skilled fitters to maintain heavy machinery.
The Numbers: The industry needs over 6,000 new workers in the next few years. Therefore, they need to replace retiring workers quickly.
The Pay: Demand drives wages. According to SEEK, the average annual salary for Mechanical Fitter jobs in Australia ranges from $95,000 to $115,000.
Why Do It? Since these roles are key to the resources sector, fitters can earn some of the highest weekly wages in the country.
Get Started with Major:
Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade – Gain the skills to build and repair metal structures.
Certificate II in Engineering Pathways – A great taster course if you want to try it out first.
3. Fabricators (Boilermakers)
The Situation: If it is made of metal, a fabricator built it. From steel frames for skyscrapers to the bodies of mining trucks, this trade is essential.
The Numbers: Both manufacturing and construction need skilled boilermakers. In fact, the MEGT report highlights a national shortage. Consequently, you will have your pick of jobs.
Why Do It? It is a hands-on trade where you see the results of your hard work. On top of that, big construction projects always need qualified boilermakers.
Get Started with Major:
Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade – Learn welding, cutting, and how to read plans.
4. Carpenters
The Situation: Chippies are the backbone of construction. Currently, there is a shortage of carpenters in every single state in Australia.
The Numbers: We need roughly 16,000 more carpenters to keep up with the building schedule.
Why Do It? If you have the skills, you will never be out of work. Also, sub-contractors are seeing great pay rates because there is so much work to go around.
Get Started with Major:
Certificate III in Carpentry – This is the main qualification you need to become a qualified carpenter.
5. Heavy Vehicle Mechanics & Plant Operators
The Situation: Every truck and excavator needs two things: someone to fix it and someone to drive it. Fortunately, both roles are in huge demand.
The Pay: According to SEEK, the average annual salary for Heavy Vehicle Mechanic jobs in Australia ranges from $90,000 to $110,000.
Why Do It? Whether you are fixing the engine or driving the truck, these roles pay well. Moreover, they offer great job security in the civil and mining sectors.
Get Started with Major:
Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology – Specialise in the big gear.
Civil Construction Courses – Get your plant operator tickets (Excavator, Roller, Haul Truck) and get on site sooner.
The Bottom Line on Trades in Demand
You do not need a university degree to land a secure, high-paying job. Instead, you need skills that the industry actually wants.
Most of these careers start with a VET qualification or an apprenticeship. This means you learn hands-on. Best of all, you often earn money while you learn.
Ready to make a move? Check out our full range of courses or give us a call to chat about your options.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which trades are most in demand in Australia right now?
Electricians, carpenters, heavy vehicle mechanics, civil construction workers, and plant operators are among the most in-demand trades in Australia in 2026. According to the 2025 Occupational Shortage List, there’s a significant shortage of skilled tradespeople.
Trades and technical roles have a vacancy fill rate of just 54.3%, well below the national average of 70.2%. This means for every three trade jobs advertised, fewer than two are being filled. The shortage is being driven by Australia’s 1.2 million new homes target, a major renewable energy build-out, and ageing infrastructure requiring ongoing maintenance and upgrades.
How much do tradespeople earn in Australia in 2026?
Trade salaries vary by role, but all five of the most in-demand trades pay well above the national average wage. According to SEEK, electricians in Queensland earn between $95,000 and $115,000 per year, with mining and industrial roles paying significantly more. Heavy vehicle mechanics earn $90,000 $110,000 on average nationally. Carpenters typically earn around $95,000 annually, with strong demand keeping wages competitive. These figures are for employed tradies – those who go on to run their own contracting businesses can earn considerably more, with some sole traders clearing $150,000 or above.
Why is there a trade skills shortage in Australia, and how long will it last?
Australia’s trade shortage is structural, not temporary. It’s being driven by three converging forces:
- A government-backed target to build 1.2 million new homes by 2029
- A major renewable energy transition requiring tens of thousands more electricians
- Decades of underinvestment in trade training
The industry is estimated to need around 32,000 additional electricians by 2030 for clean energy targets alone. Government workforce planning forecasts indicate these shortages will persist well beyond 2026, making a trade qualification one of the most secure career investments available in Australia right now.
What is the fastest way to get qualified in a trade in Australia?
The fastest pathway into a trade in Australia is an apprenticeship, where you earn a wage from your first day on the job while working towards a nationally recognised Certificate III qualification. Plus, there’s no upfront tuition debt.
Depending on the trade, apprenticeships typically take three to four years, though Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can reduce this if you have relevant existing experience or qualifications. Some pathways like the Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) are designed specifically to get candidates job-ready and into an apprenticeship faster.
Where can I study a trade in Queensland in 2026?
Major Training Group delivers trade apprenticeships and qualifications across Queensland and NSW, with campuses in Yatala (Gold Coast), Ipswich (Dinmore), Morayfield/Caboolture, and Cairns, plus regional and on-site training options for employers outside metro areas.
Major offers hands-on training in dedicated workshops, taught by industry-current trainers, and works in partnership with the Australian Apprenticeships Networks to help candidates find employers and get started. Over 10,000 students complete training with Major every year, with a 95% pass rate across programs.
Is a trade still a good career choice compared to a university degree in 2026?
Yes, and in many cases, a trade is the stronger choice. Qualified tradespeople in Australia typically earn between $90,000 and $115,000 per year, enter the workforce faster, and carry no student debt from their training since apprentices are paid throughout.
By contrast, a four-year university degree averages over $40,000 in HECS debt and no guaranteed salary at the end. With trade vacancies at near-record highs and shortages forecast to persist beyond 2030, the job security and earning potential of a skilled trade qualification rival and in some areas exceed that of many degree pathways.
Whether you’re starting out or looking to upskill, our trade courses provide the practical training and industry knowledge you need to succeed. Explore all trade courses today.
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