The Hays 2025 Skills Report

Preparing for the changing face of skills

The Hays 2025 Skills Report offers the most in-depth insights into the state of skills across Australia and New Zealand.

Based off 5623 responses to our survey, and diving deep into the data of 10 different industries and 10 different professions, the Hays 2025 Skills Report delivers:

Insights based on the industry’s most robust skills survey data.
A 360° viewpoint from hiring managers and professionals.
Findings at a macro and professional level, enabling insights specific to your needs.
Key findings at an industry level for executive business leaders.
Deep dive into the strategies employed by hiring decision makers to acquire and develop the skills their organisation needs.

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Key Findings for Hiring Managers

Skills scarcity is the #1 challenge	Human skills are vital
91% of hiring managers identify skills scarcity as their top challenge, highlighting the urgent need for proactive workforce planning and upskilling strategies.	84% of hiring managers prioritise communication, teamwork, and collaboration, while critical thinking, adaptability, and problem-solving are also highly valued.

Hiring managers are reporting a skills gap	Bridging the skills gap is critical
85% of hiring managers report a skills gap, and 86% are turning to skills-based hiring to mitigate these.	Employers must adopt strategies to address the technical and human skills gaps, with 57% of organisations struggling to meet technical demands

Why Hays Skills Report

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Insights by Industry

Download the report to discover:

Administrative and Support Services
Architecture, Engineering and Technical
Construction
Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services
Financial and Insurance Services
Information Media and Telecomms
IT/Tech System Design
Manufacturing
Mining and Resources
Public Administration and Safety

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Insights by Profession

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Accountancy and Finance
Architecture, Construction, Engineering and Manufacturing
Customer Service and Sales
Human Resources
ICT Professionals
Labourers
Procurement and Logistics
Sales and Marketing
Technical and Trade
General Managers and Chief Executives

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FAQs

What is a skills shortage?

A skills shortage refers to the situation when demand for a particular employment skill is greater than the supply of workers who possess that skill. A skills shortage can occur within a profession, an industry, or a region. A percentage figure is usually used to show how widespread the skills shortage is across an industry or profession.

What is a skills gap?

A skills gap refers to the difference between the skills an employer needs from his employee, and the skills the employee actually possesses. Examples of a skills gap include when an organisation undergoes a digital transformation but has an incumbent workforce without digital skills.

Is there a skills shortage in Australia?

According to the Hays 2025 Skills Report, many professions and industries are currently experiencing a skills shortage. The average across all professions in the report who are experiencing a skills shortage that is of moderate or extreme concerns was 85%

What causes skills shortages?

A skills shortage can occur for a variety of reasons. A paradigm shift in technology or the economy can lead to rapid demands for certain skills or occupations, creating a shortfall. Demographics may affect shortages, especially in professions with many mature workers retiring. Certain regions may also be lacking in certain specific skills.

What careers and industries currently have the biggest skills gaps in Australia?

Accountancy, human resources, procurement and logistics, and IT, are all currently experiencing large skills gaps according to the Hays 2025 Skills Report. Gaps in these industries are above average. These are professions which require extremely specific skills, have substantial amounts of technology being integrated, and are also subject of greater regulation and legislation.

Is there a skilled trade shortage?

Technical trades are also suffering from a skills gap at the moment, with upskilling and reskilling being used by many employers to improve the situation.

How can skills shortages be addressed?

Upskilling employees, or reskilling them before moving them into a new position are two methods which help with the skills shortages. As well as learning and development, looking for new ways to recruit staff and areas to recruit from can also be fruitful. Skills-based hiring is currently being used by high numbers of organisations and skills-based migration is another area that is worth exploring.

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