Talent Shortage in APAC Hits Record High – What It Means for Australian Agriculture.

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is facing a severe skills shortage, with 77% of employers struggling to find skilled workers, according to the latest 2025 ManpowerGroup Talent Shortage Survey. This marks a sharp rise from 45% in 2014 and exceeds the global average of 74%.

While much of the focus is on IT, engineering, and sales, this shortage is also being felt across Australia’s agricultural sector, which relies on skilled workers to sustain productivity and innovation.

A Growing Challenge for Australian Agriculture

Agriculture in Australia is increasingly technology-driven, with advanced data analytics, automation, and precision farming shaping the industry’s future. However, these innovations require skilled workers, and the ongoing skills shortage poses a significant risk to the sector’s growth and sustainability.

Key Skills in Short Supply

The ManpowerGroup survey highlights the most in-demand skills across APAC:

  • IT & Data (32%) – Essential for modern farm management, precision agriculture, and supply chain optimisation.
  • Engineering (27%) – Crucial for designing, maintaining, and improving agricultural infrastructure and machinery.
  • Sales & Marketing (24%) – Important for promoting Australian produce in competitive global markets.

The IT sector, in particular, is experiencing the most severe shortages, with 81% of employers reporting difficulties in hiring skilled professionals. This has direct implications for smart farming and agri-tech solutions in Australia.

How Agriculture Can Adapt

To combat the talent shortage, Australian agribusinesses are adopting various strategies:

  • Investing in training and upskilling – 35% of employers are reskilling their workforce, a crucial step for integrating new technologies into farming.
  • Increasing wages – 30% of businesses are offering higher pay to attract and retain talent, a necessary move in a competitive job market.
  • Embracing flexible work arrangements – 26% are providing more scheduling flexibility, which could help attract younger workers and professionals from other industries.
  • Exploring new talent pools – 25% are expanding recruitment efforts, including international workers and university graduates.

The Future of Australian Agriculture

With the talent crunch unlikely to ease soon, agriculture must evolve to remain competitive. Encouraging STEM education in rural areas, fostering agri-tech innovation, and offering pathways for young professionals to enter the industry will be critical.

How is your agribusiness addressing the skills shortage? The team at Agricultural Appointments is here to support your recruitment needs. Contact us today!

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Belinda Chung - Agribusiness Recruiting - Agricultural Appointments

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