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High-Demand, High-Paying Jobs in Australia

Lake Tuggeranong in Canberra

Lake Tuggeranong in Canberra

Economy and Jobs in Australia

Even though major bushfires seared Australia in late 2019 and early 2020, the government projected increasing jobs through 2024 in a strong economy in February 2020. Department of Education, Skills and Employment projections show indicate an increase in employment by 1,075,000 or 8.3% from May 2020 to May 2024.

Economic Stimulus: The federal government announced that compensation would be paid to volunteer firefighters, military personnel would be deployed to assist, and an A$2 billion bush fire recovery fund would be established. New South Wales, which has been hardest hit by the crisis, has pledged A$1 billion focused on repairing infrastructure.

— Michael Heath, January 2020 in "Bloomberg Green"

Significant Job Gains

The largest gain in Australian jobs in 13 years since February 2000 occurred in February 2013.

Job Gains in February 2013:

  • The number of full-time jobs increased overall by 17,800; part-time jobs by 53,700.
  • New South Wales is Australia's most populated state and increased jobs by 22,000. By October 2014, over 105,600 openings were advertised online.

Another View: Australia adds equivalent of 1 million U.S. jobs

Job Gains by August 2015:

  • Australia showed over 105,000 open full-time job postings on SEEK.com.au. Healthcare and sales jobs were in the highest demand.
  • As for part-time job openings, the country listed over 30,000 openings.
  • Total job listings for New South Wales numbered over 55,300 openings.

Job Gains by June 2020:

  • Australia showed over 55,000 full-time and 7,000 part-time job postings on SEEK.com.au, while Jobted.com listed over 225,000 total openings. Healthcare and government-related jobs were the most highly in demand.
  • Total job listings for New South Wales numbered nearly 73,000 openings on Jobted.com.

Five Year Employment Projections to 2030

Industry sectors expected to increase in the newest jobs include:

  1. Health Care and Social Assistance
  2. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
  3. Education and Training
  4. Construction

Jobs in STEM fields are predicted to increase at least twice as much as other jobs in the above list.

Occupation Ceiling: The restriction on the amount of Expression of Interest (EOI) or invites that will be issued by the Australian Government for a particular occupation group.

— PSS International Removials (Relocations), June 2020

Employment Outlook for Migrants

The following jobs are expected by the Australian labor department to provide the largest numbers of new positions for migrants:

  1. Registered Nurses: Travel Nursing is a lucrative way to move to Australia for work.
  2. Software and Applications Programmers
  3. Electricians
  4. Carpenters and Joiners
  5. Secondary School Teachers
  6. Metal Fitters and Machinists
  7. Motor Mechanics
  8. Livestock Farmers
  9. Management Consultants
  10. Plumbers

Highest Demand Jobs for Permanent Resident Status

Australia experienced a shortage of horticultural/agricultural workers during the fourth Quarter of 2019 and relaxed immigrant age, English language, and salary threshold rules for overseas workers. The related high-demand occupations include:

  1. Truck drivers
  2. Forklift driver
  3. Machinery supervisor
  4. Mechanic
  5. Fitter and welder
  6. Nurseryperson
  7. Mechanical engineer
  8. Agriculture technician
Go to Sydney for the most job listings.

Go to Sydney for the most job listings.

Scroll to Continue

Location of the Most Jobs

Most employment opportunities are in the eastern regions:

  1. New South Wales: Over 72,000 job listings in June 2020, double the number found 4th Quarter 2017. A majority of jobs are advertised in the Sydney area.
  2. Queensland, all cities.
  3. Melbourne, Victoria
  4. Western Australia
  5. Canberra Australian Capital Territory
  6. Adelaide South Australia

Companies Hiring the Most Workers

During June 2020, Australian companies consistently listed 225,000 job openings. The companies with the most advertised openings were:

  1. Government of Western Australia
  2. Queensland Government
  3. SA Health
  4. NSW Government
  5. Woolworths Supermarkets
  6. Coles
  7. Commonwealth Bank of Australia
  8. ACT Government
  9. Queensland Helth
  10. Federal Department of Defense
Tribute to Perth gold miners

Tribute to Perth gold miners

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The real gross value added of the mining industry accounted for about 6.4 percent of the total gross value added in Australia, making it one of the largest economic industries in the country.

— Australian Statista.com, June 8, 2020

Additional Fast-Growing Jobs: Australia Mining Futures

The mining industry has been strong in Australia for a number of years, and as of June 2020, over 130,000 people work in mining occupations.

Australian Mining is a top relevant news publication about advances, current events, and futures in the mining industry around Australia. It provides the latest technical information available in the industry, including advances in equipment, mining techniques, old, new, and currently most effective mining methods, and a number of services to the mining industry.

Minerals and ores of most interest include coal, gold, iron, lithium, nickel, and magnetite, among others.

GAF Jindivik target drone at Woomera

GAF Jindivik target drone at Woomera

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Australian Space Program Resurgence

Aerospace activities in Australia are under a resurgence of interest as the Australian Space Research Institute increases its energies. An all-volunteer organization, it relies on efforts provided by Australian Universities like the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and others.

Rocket launches are scheduled regularly at Woomera Australian Defense Force Facility, while additional projects are on hold and waiting for funding and personnel in the future:

  • Woomera Heritage Centre
  • Australia in Space

The town of Woomera is owned by the Australian Defense Force. It offers visits to one of the most recognized aerospace historical sites of the 1960s - 1990s, the Woomera National Aerospace and Missile Park in the town center, a visitors information center, a heritage interpretation center, and a museum. There is also a film theater, bowling alley, swimming pool, retail shops, taverns, and others. Additional visits take tourists into the desert for the wildlife and plants. Woomera Marine Centre is also interesting.

Visiting and Working in Australia

The website Embrace Australia stated in 2010 that higher numbers of British residents immigrate to Australia than any other nation.

By 2020, the federal government indicated in their national skills shortage assessment extending to 2024 that people from India were migrating in the most numbers to fill shortages in horticulture and agriculture from the fourth quarter of 2019 to the first quarter of 2020.

Tuggeranong Town Centre, Canberra

Tuggeranong Town Centre, Canberra

Advantages for Living and Working in Australia

Climate

  • Besides a strong economy, the climate in Australia is more pleasant overall for the British tired of wet weather and Americans tired of the cold in the north.

Education

  • Education for children in Australia is advertised as top notch. Reports are that 80% of youth attend higher education facilities as well.

Healthcare

  • An NHS system is named Medicare in Australia and offered to permanent residents. However, private healthcare remains available via arrangements at work.

Culture

  • Much of the culture is located within a short distances of Australian coastlines and beaches, involving outdoor activities much of each year.
  • Sightseeing can be done in any number of landscapes, from rain forests to deserts.
  • Aboriginal Peoples still call the continent and country home in many areas and offer tours and handcrafted items.
Another view at Two Peoples Bay

Another view at Two Peoples Bay

Sources

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

© 2010 Patty Inglish MS

Comments, Experiences, and News of Australian Job Markets

Anita Hasch from Port Elizabeth on January 07, 2017:

Super hub. Very informative and such a interesting country.

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on June 05, 2014:

Thanks for the link for Australian jobs. I am going to have a look!

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on July 22, 2013:

Hello, AmbitiousMarketer -- I used to read an eNewsletter by a teacher in Australia and in their summertimes, she would described the horrendous heat. Supposedly, some immigrants can become accustomed to it, but I don't think I could do so without 6 months working up to it in a daily sauna.

Why do Australian companies prefer UK citizens? I'd say common language (aside from slang), and perhaps the immigration/visa paperwork is less intensive. The "trades" angle you mention may be relevant as well; and there are surely other reasons. I'll keep my ears open for info.

Mark Johnson from England on July 21, 2013:

They say that many of us move to Australia for the beautiful climate but honestly we have had a heatwave here over the last few days and as an Englishman I can tell you now it would be a nice welcome relief to feel the rain again. I don't think many of us can handle the heat to be honest. No one sleeps we have had sticky nights. God knows how bad it is in Aussie.

Is there any reason in particular why Australia prefers UK citizens over any other nationality? Is this just a rumour or is there something in the trades that we have which they need?

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on April 24, 2013:

On the SimplyHired website for Australia, there are listed 205 Social Workers positions in Australia at this moment. Most are advertised by a company known as "Gumtree Australia" and others are with "Centralian Advocate" in Alice Springs, "Sugarman Group", and others.

Meanwhile, there are 6,700 jobs open for nurses and it seems they are everywhere needed in Australia.

I don't know about the holiday visa, though.

*****

For an earlier poster, there are now several thousand jobs in CPA and related occupations - try the recruiters Hays and Michael Page companies. HVAC shows only about 700 jobs - try Michael Page for them as well.

Raha on April 23, 2013:

Hello there, visited australia few times and love to relocate there but I am wondering how the job market is for social workers and nursing? and does anyone know if temporary holiday working visa would allow you to get professional jobs? Thank you.

Naitan on December 17, 2012:

Hi , I ve got MBA ,and certified public accountant,my husband is into the electrical and Refrigeration and HVAC contracting.We live in USA,but also considering moving to Australia.Please, if any one can comment ,the chances to find jobs with our skills.Thank you!

forklift on December 09, 2012:

If any one was looking for a job try Gum Tree it may help

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on September 25, 2012:

@renp308 - Look at the SImplyHired.com home page and access their Australia site link at the bottom of the page.

renp308 on September 24, 2012:

Hi, i am a business analyst in hewlett packyard india, can i find a get a job in australia? i want to move abroad and australia is the first prefrence. please help me.

atif on September 23, 2012:

thankz . .God bless u

Donna9376 on August 28, 2012:

Very interesting hub. Great information on Australia.

Janey-S from South Africa on July 30, 2012:

So glad I found this hub, We are from South Africa, and my husband Luc is in Perth on a 3month ticket looking for work, he is a plumber and has just done his WA licence, he is finding it really hard to find a job and is prepared to go to the mines or outlying area, he was in Ethiopia so is quite Ok with harsh places, do you have any advice to give on where he can apply, he has tried all the usual recruitment places, and I am looking for maybe more obscure places that he may apply to. Thanks - Much appreciated.

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on April 30, 2012:

Thanks for that helpful insight, OzWorker77. It's practical and people need to be aware before they travel to Australia.

OzWorker77 on April 29, 2012:

Many of the people that have commented on here are from countries outside of Australia, as a citizen from Australia there is a bit of a misconception about how awesome it really is. Dont get me wrong, it is a beautiful country but we are faced with the same hardships and problems with the economy as others are around the world.

For those that are skilled trades people including electricians and plasterers etc, you will find good paying work around the mining areas in Australia. These are in Western Australia and Queensland. There is a demand in these areas as many people from here do not want to work or live in these areas. As an example the Pilbara in WA (which is booming) is a desolate, dry and hot place where there are few services and may be limited to one pub, one shop and that's pretty much it. The wages for a trades person can be as high as $200,000 per year but the cost of living is exceptionally high with some rents at $1000 per week. Many Australians will work in these areas on a fly in fly out (FIFO) basis.

For metropolitan areas - Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide - there is a demand for workers in professional areas such as engineering and accounting. However it is important to note that many of the larger companies will only hire Australian citizens or people on 457 (skilled visa's). Work in smaller companies, which pay less, is competitive as the positions in the larger companies are hard to come by.

Housing in Australia can be expensive, both to purchase and to buy, with Australia one of the few countries in the world where land is more expensive than the house itself. In Brisbane, which is generally considered a 'cheaper' area to live, average house prices are around the $400,000 mark and you will be living about 30 minutes away from the city centre.

Dont get me wrong, it is a beautiful place to live with lots of opportunities but getting good paying work can be hard to come by and is competitive. We pay a lot of taxes in Australia to support welfare for those that have low incomes with someone on $65,000 per year paying approximately 20-25% in taxes.

These are all important things to consider when thinking of moving here.

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on April 06, 2012:

We find both the best and the most horrid prices and services as well in most of our US cities, so no surprise that Australia is similar. We must check things out before we go. Thanks for commenting!

george353 on April 06, 2012:

I relocated to Australia some 6 months ago. I find life here as tough as anywhere else. Less than $80K annually will get you a mediocre existence. Having your own home is impossible for many here. Quality and affordable housing is a big issue. Medicare is very expensive, unless you are citizen. Calling an Ambulance to just check on you, e.g., in ACT will cost you $558. If you need a ride to the hospital, the bill will get close to a $1000, unless you have a private insurance, which is not inexpensive. $400 p.w. rent will get you a small studio or 1bdr somewhere way in the outskirts, unless you want to share or live with the roaches. In terms of customer service, well, don't set your expectations too high either. Prices of medicine, food, transport, etc. are high across the board.

Don't want to bring anybody down, but things are not as jolly as they appear from thousands of miles away. Good luck.

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on March 23, 2012:

This week, I see only a few hundred positions open right now, Spring 2012, for physicians or doctors in engine searches. I will attempt to find newer projections for the future and add them.

Reve from Dhaka on March 21, 2012:

Amazing hub again from you. I just wanted to ask you something. What about the health sector in case of job seeking? What are the possibilities of doctors or physicians?

Melanie Chisnall from Cape Town, South Africa on March 15, 2012:

Fantastic hub, and great information on Australia - thanks! :)

AP Melbourne on March 15, 2012:

Put it this way, lots of people are heading into trades currently, nearly all the males at my High School are so the job shortage should not last for long. If you were to go up against a local, the local would come first no matter the experience in a number of trades and some professions.

Also, apparently it is extremely hard to get a job in the mines. Once you do get a job, the rental costs etc will decimate your wages. Well that is what a friend told me anyway.

Of course all of what i am saying is from personal experience, not necessarily true, and probably not true.

In the end, do what you feel is right.

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on February 26, 2012:

I can't be sure, but contact your local Travel Nursing employment agencies and ask, because they should have related projections. Good luck!

IrishNurse on February 25, 2012:

Hi

I'm a student nurse decided to go back and get my degree at 36 so I'll be 40 when I qualify :o) My dream is to get 1 years expereince then come out to Oz. I've been several times and have many friends out there. Do you know if it will be easy to get a job, I also have a 12 yr old who will come out with me he'll be 17 when we're ready to leave.

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on February 22, 2012:

Thank you very much charlie!

charlie 500 on February 21, 2012:

Anyone looking for work in Australia check out the employment website seek.com.au.It might also give you a good idea of wages and what's in demand.It also has what work is available in different states..Also be aware that over here if you want to live near the city ,houses can be expensive to rent and also quite competitive as there arnt heaps of them.

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on February 12, 2012:

I coworker moved to Australia a decade ago and really enjoyed the change. Thanks for posting.

jamila sahar on February 12, 2012:

great informative hub ! i have thought of relocating to australia as well, and you certainly provide a thorough overview as well as helpful links for immigration, work visas and other important details needed for planning this type of move ! many thanks

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on February 06, 2012:

Check out the Australian edition of SimplyHired.com and that can be a lot of help in deciding!

Emmy on February 06, 2012:

Is Accounting more demanding job now in Australia. If it is, then which place in Australia should I move on?

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on January 29, 2012:

For current listings from across the Internet at any time, check the site SimplyHIred.com Australia version; it's updated continually. Go to SimplyHiredDOTcom and click "Australia" at the bottom of the page.

Jimmy on January 29, 2012:

im an electrician and im probably one of the best in my country, i want to know where the best paying jobs are going in australia at the moment?

Isililo on January 28, 2012:

Found this post very informative. My wife just went to study for her Masters a few weeks ago. Thanks.

Annie on January 23, 2012:

Thanks a ton for sharing such information about australia..god bless u

Jonathan Lippiatt on January 11, 2012:

I am 26 years old and a qualified joiner/carpenter with nearly 11 years experience. Im very sporty as i play semi pro soccer and also mixed martial arts. I am single and have no ties so would like to go to a place in australia that is full of things to do during the day and also at night. i am looking for the best place to go that is enjoyable aswell but foremost work to live comfortably and hopefully save.I am applying to get my years work visa soon but i just dont know what place is best for me workwise and also suit my sporting interests. Would appreciatte any information at all that can tell me what would suit, thank you

Jonathan

BfoBarney from Australia on January 01, 2012:

I'm quite surprised to see that drivers are even on the list. Although I'm happy to see Business Analyst is at the top (currently the field that I am studying).

Barry Rutherford from Queensland Australia on January 01, 2012:

Just another point Health Care is very good here. For instance I am covered by both medicare & Private health insurance I am in top private cover for a single like me it is $42 dollars a week. Company sponsored Health insurance is rare..

Empty on January 01, 2012:

Thank you Patty for sharing great information. Have already got Australian PR but yet to make the move given my attachment with the current job. Wish I can find the job by applying online in 2012.

Patty Inglish MS (author) from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on December 30, 2011:

Most jobs seem to require qualifications, driver's license, and a White Card (safety certification in Au.); though some Plastering Traineeships have been advertised on jobsjobsjobs.com.au and SimplyHired.com for Australia.

fathead on December 29, 2011:

hi all and patty i just discovered this site, are qualifications a big part in getting a job in australia?

i have 7 years of plastering behind me as well as some domestic plumbing quals but not fully qualified and im currently also doing site carpentry at college but i doubt i will be fully qualified in that either, the reason being that i am not fully qualified in the plumbing, and most probably the carpentry will be the same, is that once ive finished these courses i have to get a full time job and be assessed on site, but as i live in the uk its really quite hard to find someone to take you on, im 25 years old and have been plastering since i was 18, all learnt on the job.

so basically would i struggle to get work because i am not qualified??? also is there some kind of apprentice scheme for foreign student that i could jump on???

hope you all havd a good xmas, hope to hear from someone soon. cheers

QW on December 25, 2011:

I wish I could go as my family lives there but I'm stuck in South Africa till i sort out my visa

adultsearch from NYC, NYC on December 21, 2011:

Australia is a good place to travel. Your hub is informative about the place. Many of the tourists will surely go there after reading this post. Nice job!.