Sheed Swaps AFL Boots for Work Boots in WA Crisis

Dom Sheed Trades AFL Boots for Work Boots.

After AFL Retirement, West Coast Eagles Premiership Hero Dom Sheed Tackles WA's Skilled Labour Crisis.

Perth, WA Monday 7 July 2025

WHAT'S NEXT FOR DOM SHEED? Fresh off announcing his retirement from AFL, West Coast Eagles premiership hero Dom Sheed is lacing up for a different kind of challenge - this time in work boots, not footy boots. The 2018 Grand Final icon has joined Australian Skilled Migration (ASM) as WA Business Development Manager, turning his focus to solving one of the state's biggest economic hurdles: the skilled labour shortage crippling local businesses.

"After over 10 years in AFL, I've learnt that success always comes down to the strength of your team," Sheed said. "Whether it's footy or business, if you can't put the right people in the right roles, you're not going to get the result you're aiming for."

That message rings loud across Western Australia right now. From family-run workshops and construction contractors to regional transport firms and major infrastructure projects, businesses across the state are under pressure to find skilled people.

"What I've seen across WA are good businesses being held back by something completely out of their control," Sheed said. "Roles stay vacant. Teams are stretched. Projects get delayed, and communities wear the cost."

Dom's appointment signals a new chapter for ASM, a national skilled recruitment & migration company that works with employers to fill hard-to-staff roles through a range of pathways. With a particular focus on sourcing experienced, motivated skilled workers globally. ASM gives employers access to skilled workers in sectors facing chronic shortages, including automotive, mechanical trades, construction, and engineering.

"These workers aren't replacing locals - they're stepping into roles that have gone unfilled for months," Sheed explained. "They help keep businesses running and take pressure off teams who are already stretched."

Sheed will lead a state-wide campaign, using his AFL profile and community reach to connect with WA employers who may not realise international recruitment is an option for them. The campaign will engage businesses at every level - from owner-operators to large contractors - through Dom's trusted voice and direct outreach to local networks.

"I've always been passionate about backing WA industry," Sheed said. "This isn't just about recruitment, it's about keeping local businesses viable, protecting jobs, and supporting families and communities. I'm proud to be part of something real, and I'm here to help WA businesses find the people they need."

From Kalgoorlie, in the Goldfields region of WA Dominic Sheed is a former professional Australian rules footballer, having played for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League (AFL).

Key Facts:

• New Role Post-Retirement

  • Dom Sheed has joined Australian Skilled Migration (ASM) as WA Business Development Manager.

• Focus on WA's Labour Shortage

  • Sheed will help WA businesses fill hard-to-staff roles through skilled migration pathways.

• Backing Local Industry

  • Emphasis on supporting local employers in construction, mechanical trades, transport, and engineering.

• Not Replacing Locals – Filling Gaps

  • Skilled migrants will step into roles that have remained vacant for months due to local shortages.

• WA Campaign Led by Sheed

  • State-wide awareness drive targeting owner-operators, contractors, and SMEs.

• Sheed's Community Connection

  • Born in Kalgoorlie, Sheed brings his understanding of the impact skill shortages are having across the WA economy to his new position.

• Quote from Sheed

  • "If you can't recruit the right team - in the right roles, you're not going to get the result you're aiming for."

• WA SKILLS SHORTAGE SNAPSHOT

  • Automotive Sector
  • 68% of vacancies remain unfilled
  • Acute shortages in mechanics and transport-related roles
  • Transport & Workshops
  • 66,000 occupations in this category, including mechanics, tyre fitters & drivers are experiencing shortages Operators unable to recruit drivers or mechanics
  • Workshops are turning down jobs due to lack of staff
  • Construction Industry
  • Estimated shortfall of 120,000 skilled tradies needed to clear WA's building backlog
  • Mining, Oil & Gas
  • 12,800+ workers needed across the sector by 2028
  • Clean Energy Sector
  • Projected to generate 350,000 jobs nationally between 2025 and 2050
  • Demand includes technicians, engineers, and infrastructure support roles
  • Overall Impact
  • WA Businesses are stalling projects, taking longer to complete and losing time and profit due to ongoing team shortages

• About ASM

  • ASM is a national recruitment and migration firm specialising in skilled visa pathways for Australian employers.