Jobs and Skills Australia – Core Skills Occupations List 2025

The Australian Dairy Products Federation (ADPF) has responded to Jobs and Skills Australia’s consultation on the 2025 Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL). This list shapes Australia’s migration program and identifies the skills most needed across industries.

Why it matters

Australia’s dairy processing sector is facing a workforce crisis, particularly in regional areas. Vacancy rates are double the national average, with shortages in critical roles like production workers, technicians, electricians, and quality specialists. With over half the current workforce nearing retirement, urgent action is needed.

We’re calling for:

• endorsement of dairy-critical occupations already in the 2025 CSOL
• inclusion of specialist dairy processing roles to reflect the industry’s unique skills needs
• regional pathways that work for processors across Australia, and
• collaboration to build long-term domestic training and skills development.

More: Submission