With international borders not expected to reopen until late next year, the Federal government is focusing on boosting existing visa pathways and expanding the skills list.
But some experts say filling the country's skills gap with overseas workers is a tough ask.
The federal government recognises registered nursing as one occupation that can't be filled domestically so it's given it priority status for overseas applicants, allowing fast-tracked visas and travel exemptions.
It's one of 17 occupations recently added to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List, which also includes chief executives and managing directors, construction project managers, mechanical engineers, doctors, psychiatrists and IT professionals.
