Health workers, electricians and other skilled workers will enjoy the largest amount of demand over the next five years according to a new report published by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

 

The Australian Jobs 2011 report highlights an expected 85.5%  jump in demand for nurses and other medical practitioners over the 2011 – 2016 period.

 

Health diagnostic and therapy professionals are also expected to experience a 35% increase in employment demand over the same time period.

 

The report found that “The Health Care and Social Assistance industry has experienced relatively strong growth over the past decade and is now Australia’s largest employing industry with almost 1.3 million workers. Over the five years to November 2010, employment rose by 275 200 (or 26.9%).”

 

The industry employs 11.4% of Australia’s workforce. Some regions, though, have a higher proportion of their workforce employed in this industry. For example, Barwon-Western District in Victoria has 15% of its jobs in this industry.

 

The report comes as the Reserve Bank of Australia forecasts a drop in unemployment rates from 4.9% to 4.2%.

 

The full report can be accessed here