Professionals
Penetration Tester
Our read
Opportunity
LimitedNot in shortage anywhere this year — employers are generally finding the people they need.
Getting in
Big commitmentThe standard route is a bachelor degree or higher — several years of full-time study before you're earning in the field.
Opportunity and Getting-in are our analysis of the official data — not a Jobs and Skills Australia rating. How we work these out.
Getting in
Training level 1. Bachelor degree or higher.
Will AI replace it?
Some parts could be automated; others are harder to replace. Expect AI to take on the routine pieces over time, while the hands-on, judgement-heavy parts stay human. How it lands depends on the specific role.
Our editorial read, based on the kind of work (its occupation group) — not a Jobs and Skills Australia rating, and not a prediction.
Five-year national trend
Supply is keeping up. Employers generally fill these roles without much trouble — it hasn't been in shortage in recent years.
● in shortage · ○ no shortage
Where it's in shortage (2025)
Open a state or territory for the local picture — its five-year trend, the regional vs metro read, and how it compares with the national rating.
Labour-market signals
For this occupation's unit group (2613).
Fills readily. Employers fill these roles more easily than the typical occupation, so it's a weaker shortage signal.
Well above average. Earns more per hour than the typical Australian occupation.Our read: this is JSA's standardised, relative earnings measure for the occupation's broader group, not a take-home figure — treat it as a signal, not the full picture.
Shown relative to all occupations — exact dollar figures are coming in a future update.
Skilled migration list
This occupation appears on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) as at 7 November 2025.
Being on the list says nothing about anyone's visa eligibility — it is one condition among many. This is general information, not migration advice. For advice about your circumstances, see the Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation lists or a registered migration agent (OMARA register).
Related occupations
Know the moment new numbers land
You're already seeing the newest numbers: the 2025 Occupation Shortage List is the government's current release — checked against the source in July 2026 — and apprentice pay rates include the 1 July 2026 increase. When the next list lands, we'll send one note: what moved, what it means. No newsletter, no selling your address.
ANZSCO 261317 · Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Occupation Shortage List 2025.