Communities across Victoria are rebuilding their industries and communities after the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Workforce challenges are most acute in regional areas. Changing demographics are putting pressure on local services, while skills shortages can hamper local industry growth.
Regional Victoria represents over 20 per cent of the state’s total workforce.
Almost 75 per cent of Victoria’s agriculture, forestry and fishing, 44 per cent of mining, 26 per cent of administrative and support services and 26 per cent of construction industry workforces are based in regional Victoria.
While many factors contribute to economic development – including the availability of housing, childcare and transport – the Skills Plan is centred on skills and training solutions to local industry issues.
Victorian regional job demand: new workers needed by 2025
| Region | Currently employed | New workers needed |
|---|---|---|
| Barwon | 176,400 | 18,300 |
| Central Highlands | 105,900 | 11,050 |
| Gippsland | 129,800 | 12,900 |
| Goulburn | 82,500 | 8,000 |
| Great South Coast | 54,700 | 5,400 |
| Loddon Campaspe | 126,400 | 12,850 |
| Mallee | 43,800 | 4,300 |
| Metro | 2,725,400 | 290,400 |
| Ovens Murray | 71,600 | 7,250 |
| Wimmera Southern Mallee | 22,400 | 2,400 |
References
Current worker: VSA and Nous analysis (2022).
New worker demand: represents employment growth + workers needed to replace retirements, (figures rounded), National Skills Commission employment projections, Nous and VSA analysis, (2022).
New workers needed: National Skills Commission employment projections, Nous and VSA analysis, (2022).
Updated