Australia Excludes Restaurant Managers From Skills List
Jobs and Skills Australia has removed restaurant managers from its latest national shortage list for the current year.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Job Search
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Jobs and Skills Australia has excluded restaurant managers from the current Core Skills Occupation List, marking a shift in how the nation classifies staffing needs. The decision follows a broader trend of identifying fewer occupations in shortage compared to previous years.
Why it matters
Restaurant and Catering Australia argues the exclusion fails to reflect real-world recruitment needs and ongoing management shortages within the hospitality sector. Businesses now face the risk of acute staffing gaps and potential reductions in operating hours as a direct result.
The current shortage list includes 279 occupations, a decrease from the 293 identified last year and the 332 recorded in 2023. In the hospitality sector, 696,600 people are currently employed, with restaurant managers accounting for 20.5 per cent of primary skilled visas.
The players
Jobs and Skills Australia
This is a government agency that provides evidence-based advice on workforce requirements to inform national training and migration policies.
Restaurant and Catering Australia
This organization acts as the peak industry body representing the interests of cafes, restaurants, and catering businesses across the country.
The details
Jobs and Skills Australia determines these shortages by systematically analysing online job advertisement data to track market demands. Restaurant managers play a vital role in operations by overseeing staff rosters, profit margins, and ensuring compliance with essential licensing and safety requirements.
Timeline
In 2023, Jobs and Skills Australia identified 332 occupations in national shortage.
During 2023, cafe or restaurant managers were granted 420 primary skilled visas.
In the current year, the national shortage list includes 279 occupations.
Market Landscape
The Core Skills Occupation List serves as a primary mechanism for balancing domestic labour needs with skilled migration intakes. By removing hospitality management from this list, regulators have signaled a shift in how they weigh sector-specific labour gaps against broader economic demands.
Hospitality businesses may see a tightening of the talent pool, which could lead to increased pressure on existing management staff. Customers might notice reduced trading hours or altered service availability if establishments are unable to recruit or retain necessary personnel.
The takeaway
The hospitality industry is currently navigating a significant tightening of migration pathways for essential management roles. Businesses should focus on internal training and retention programmes to mitigate the risks associated with the changing national shortage designations.
Further reading
For more on industry labour trends, visit the Australia Job Search section.
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