Australian Industries Slowing Down for Migrants in 2026
Here are the Australian industries slowing down in 2026, according to new government data. Australia’s economy is still resilient overall, but the latest Australian Labour Market for Migrants report, published by Jobs and Skills Australia in April 2026, flags signs of softening in a few specific industries.
If you’re choosing an industry to target, or already working in one of these, here’s what the data shows.
The Australian Industries Slowing Down Right Now
Over the 12 months to February 2026, trend employment declined in:
- Wholesale Trade
- Manufacturing
- Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
“Trend employment” isn’t just one month’s snapshot. It smooths out the usual monthly noise in the data to show the actual direction an industry is heading. A decline in the trend means the slowdown is real, not a blip.
Where Demand Is Still Strong
While these Australian industries slowing down make headlines, others are accelerating. The same government data shows IT roles growing well above 14% through 2030, and Electrical Engineering jobs grew 28.7% in the past 3 years alone. Construction Manager roles are projected to grow 14.9% by 2030, with some of the highest earnings and lowest unemployment tracked in the entire report.
The takeaway isn’t that the whole job market is slowing. It’s that demand is shifting, and knowing which way it’s shifting matters for anyone choosing where to apply.
What to Do If You’re in a Slowing Industry
If your background is in wholesale trade, manufacturing, or agriculture, this doesn’t mean your skills are obsolete. It means it’s worth checking whether an adjacent, faster-growing field is a realistic pivot.
A few practical moves:
- Look at roles that share skills with your current one but sit in a growing industry (for example, manufacturing experience often transfers into supply chain or logistics roles)
- Add a short, targeted certification that signals you to a growing sector
- Lean on your network. A large share of roles in Australia are filled through referrals before they’re ever advertised publicly
- Revisit your CV every quarter so it reflects your most recent, most relevant experience first
If you’re not sure where to start, DreamShift has a guide on using internal referrals to get a job in Australia, even without an existing network. And if upskilling is the gap, this list of free and low-cost upskilling resources is a good place to start. DreamShift’s career support team can also help you map out a realistic pivot.
Why Tracking Australian Industries Slowing Down Matters for Visa Planning
If you’re applying for a visa tied to a specific occupation or industry, a slowdown changes the competition you’re up against, even if the occupation itself stays on a skilled list. Checking both the growth data and the visa list before you commit gives you a clearer picture than either one alone.
How Long Slowdowns Like This Usually Last
Trend declines in Wholesale Trade and Manufacturing aren’t new to the Australian economy. Both industries have moved through slower patches before, tied to global trade conditions and shifts in domestic demand, and both have recovered when conditions changed. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing tends to move with seasonal and export conditions, so a soft patch in the trend data doesn’t rule out strong years ahead. The point isn’t to avoid these industries altogether. It’s to go in with accurate expectations about current competition, rather than assuming every industry is moving in the same direction at the same time.
FAQ on Australian Industries Slowing Down
Does this mean I shouldn’t apply for a visa tied to these industries?
Not necessarily. A slowdown in trend employment doesn’t mean zero hiring. It means competition is likely tighter than in growing industries, so your application needs to work harder.
Where does this data come from?
The Australian Labour Market for Migrants report is published quarterly by Jobs and Skills Australia, an Australian Government agency. It tracks labour market conditions specifically for people considering work in Australia.
Sources: Australian Labour Market for Migrants, April 2026, Jobs and Skills Australia, Australian Jobs 2026, Jobs and Skills Australia
