Hunter staff shortages are some of Australia's worst - and we don't have the data to solve them

The doors to shops along busy Newcastle streets have been closed due to staffing issues. Picture by Marina Neil

Vacant buildings on Newcastle's Hunter Street, long wait times at regional pubs, and calls for more teachers in our schools: the region's staffing shortage continues at critical rates despite slow relief in most parts of the country.

Almost 6900 job advertisements were listed in the Hunter during July this year, up from 6500 - a 6.1 per cent increase - in the same month a year prior.