You want to work in a field that you are passionate about. But, if you’re like most people, you also want to go down a route that will bring lucrative opportunities—not just now, but for years (or decades!) to come—which means choosing a high-paying job that is in demand today and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
But how do you know what employment will afford those prospects, both now and in five or ten years? Fortunately, you do not need to guess. Every year, the Australian Bureau of Statistics produces job predictions for overall and specific occupation growth over ten years.
Nothing is guaranteed, but ABS growth projections can provide a good sense of the long-term direction of a wide spectrum of jobs.
Let’s look at 10 high-paying jobs that are projected to rise significantly over the coming decade.
Top 10 high demand jobs in australia & how to find them
1. Nurse practitioner
Median salary in 2021: $120,680
Nurse practitioners provide advanced nursing care, to the point where you may have seen one instead of a medical doctor. NPs can examine, diagnose, advise, and treat patients either in collaboration with doctors or on their own.
Nurse practitioners can also prescribe medication and conduct laboratory and other testing for patients. They can work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, outpatient facilities, and schools.
To become a nurse practitioner, you must first become a licensed registered nurse (RN), then earn a master’s degree and nurse practitioner certification. Nurse practitioners are frequently credentialed in specific areas of expertise, such as emergency medicine, pediatrics, or psychiatry.
The criteria are high—and understandable considering the role’s responsibilities—but the BLS predicts that nurse practitioners will be the most in-demand employment in the next decade.
2. Data scientist
Median salary in 2021: $100,910
Data scientists design frameworks that enable businesses to acquire, organize, and analyze data—and then use that data to make better business decisions. Depending on the demands of the organization, the role might range from executing data trials to applying statistical models and algorithms, generating data products, and refining frameworks to boost efficacy and drive superior business outcomes.
Data science is a highly technical, data-driven career; hence, a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, statistics, math, engineering, or a related discipline is usually required.
3. Information security analyst
Median salary in 2021: $102,600
Information security analysts are in charge of keeping a company’s information safe and secure—a primary issue for most businesses in an era when so much sensitive data is shared and kept online. Information security analysts are responsible for a variety of tasks, including researching and testing security solutions, evaluating a company’s current digital security processes, identifying and fixing vulnerabilities, managing security threats or breaches, and developing and implementing security solutions and technologies.
Information security analysts must be well-versed in all aspects of cybersecurity and often have a bachelor’s degree (or higher!) in a technology-related subject such as computer science.
4. Web developers
Median salary in 2021: $77,030
Web developers design and maintain websites and web apps, which fall into three categories:
- Front-end web developers are concerned with the appearance of the website and everything that visitors may see or interact with.
- Back-end web developers work on the technology that allows everything to function together effortlessly.
- Full-stack web developers work on both the front and back sides of a website.
Regardless of the type of developer you become, you must learn to code. You’ll also need excellent communication skills to communicate with whoever you’re creating a website for and ensure that everyone involved is on the same page. Some design experience is also beneficial when working on the front end. Some firms will recruit web developers who have attended a bootcamp and/or have impressive portfolios of work, while others may require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related discipline.
5. Physician assistant (PA)
Median salary in 2021: $121,530
A physician assistant (or PA) is a qualified medical professional who offers normal patient care. A medical assistant, like an MD, can examine, diagnose, and treat patients, prescribe medications, and create treatment regimens.
However, unlike doctors, who can work autonomously, PAs must be overseen by an MD. PAs can work in a number of venues (such as doctors’ offices and hospitals) and specialties (ranging from primary care to surgery).
A career as a physician assistant begins with a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related discipline, followed by a master’s degree program (often known as “PA school”), a national certification exam, and licensing (state requirements vary).
6. Software developer
Median salary in 2021: $109,020
Software developers (also known as software engineers) create, code, test, and develop software, whether it’s an enterprise software solution for a large organization or a consumer-facing mobile app used by individuals. Whereas web developers focus on websites and apps, software developers can work on a wide range of programs and services, both online and offline.
Coding abilities are the most critical prerequisite for success as a software developer. So, whether you learn to code through a computer science degree, a coding bootcamp, or self-teaching, it doesn’t matter for most jobs; as long as you have the skills—and can demonstrate them during a technical interview—you should be able to get a job.
7. Actuary
Median salary in 2021: $105,900
Actuaries generally work with insurance businesses, where they evaluate risk. They utilize arithmetic, facts, and statistics to assess if their firm should provide a policy to a potential customer—whether an individual or a business—and, if so, how much the premium should be. Actuaries evaluate health, life, vehicle, homeowner, medical malpractice, and workers’ compensation insurance, as well as retirement benefits and other investments.
A degree in actuarial science (the use of arithmetic and statistical modeling to risk assessment) or a related discipline (such as math or statistics) is required. Furthermore, actuaries must pass a series of hard exams over several years before being qualified to conduct the work by the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) or the Society of Actuaries (SOA).
8. Financial manager
Median salary in 2021: $131,710
As the title implies, financial managers are in charge of an organization’s finances. Financial managers might be employed directly by a corporation or work for a consulting firm, where they manage financial matters for the firm’s clients.
Depending on the needs of the company or client, a financial manager may be responsible for a variety of finance-related tasks, including identifying weaknesses or risks; developing solutions to eliminate those weaknesses or risks; performing research; creating projections and reports; preparing financial statements; setting goals; providing suggestions for how the company or client can meet those goals; and suggesting ways to cut costs, increase profits, or expand into new
Financial management necessitates a thorough understanding of business finance—which they may have earned as accountants or financial analysts, for example—and candidates often require a bachelor’s degree in finance, business, or a similar discipline to begin.
9. Information systems (IS) manager
Median salary in 2021: $159,010
Information systems managers (also known as IS managers) are in charge of designing, as well as managing, an organization’s information systems. They typically hold a senior-level position within a company’s information technology (IT) department and are responsible for evaluating the company’s current technology, staying up to date on available upgrades and best practices, developing an information systems strategy or plan, making recommendations on everything from hardware to software to security, and supervising a team to carry out their plans and recommendations.
For example, an IS manager would analyze the costs and benefits of a new piece of software, pitch their suggestion to executives or other decision makers, ensure that it is efficiently installed throughout the firm, and monitor its future maintenance and security.
IS managers require a thorough understanding of information systems; therefore, they often have a bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline (such as computer science or information technology).
11. Industrial engineer
Median salary in 2021: $93,500
Industrial engineers work to improve productivity and efficiency. They employ math, statistics, science, and engineering principles to assess people, systems, and processes within an organization, such as supply chains, operations, financing, and machinery or equipment. Their purpose is to determine the best approach to integrating the systems and procedures required to develop a product or service. They ensure that firms keep expenses down while increasing productivity and meeting organizational goals.
A bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering or a similar discipline is required for success—and many industrial engineers go on to earn advanced degrees.
How to Find a High-Demand Job in Australia
The Australian work market is highly competitive. Not all jobs and skills are in equal demand, particularly among foreigners. As a foreigner, the most popular sectors are hospitality, construction, and education. But don’t worry; this doesn’t imply you won’t be able to get work in other fields.
Generally, there are a few recommendations that will ease your job search in Australia:
- Do not attempt to make a job transition. It will be much easier to get a position in which you already have extensive experience. It is critical to seek out industries that are similar to what you have previously worked in.
- Look for jobs that are in high demand. Take a peek at the Skilled Occupation List. These include positions in healthcare, education, and construction.
- Obtain your visa well in advance. Recruiters in Australia are wary to hire candidates who do not already have visas. The so-called “right to work.” There are several sorts of visas available, which we will examine in greater detail in a separate section.
- Don’t take a job “just because.” You cannot leave your employment because your visa is tied to it. So, do your research before accepting the position. Because if you end up hating it, you’re going to have problems.
- Investigate internet job portals. As you should in 2021! We have a separate section on Australian job search engines that includes links.
- Speak the language fluently. For the majority of employment, this is a strict requirement, and you will also need physical proof in the form of a language competence certificate.
How to apply for a job in Australia?
Before applying for a job as an expat in Australia, you should follow a few steps.
- Visa: Above all, you must decide on the appropriate type of visa for you. To clarify, there are numerous work-related visas. Without one, you can’t truly begin applying. More information is provided in a separate section below “Work visa in Australia.”
- Resume/cover letter: Make sure your CV and cover letter are ready and personalized. Do not reuse the same ones you used for job hunting in your own country. More information is provided in a separate section below “Resume and cover letter tips.”
- TFN/ABN: Before you begin working, you must receive a Tax File Number (TFN), which is comparable to your Social Security number. If you are self-employed, you will require an Australian Business Number (ABN). Both can be requested online.
- Australian bank account: You must meet this prerequisite before you begin working. It can be set up online before you travel to Australia.
- Job search engines: Once you’ve done all of the above, go to online job search engines unique to Australia. More information is provided in a separate section below “Australian job search engines.”.
- Apply in person. This primarily pertains to professions that do not require specific abilities. You can simply drop in and try your luck.
Conclusion
It takes time to thoroughly consider which job route you wish to pursue. You will not find what gives you meaning and satisfaction immediately. However, taking a look at some of the most in-demand jobs right now will inspire you.
It will show you some of the fastest-growing jobs and their requirements. Perhaps one day, when you read a job offer, you will recognize yourself.
And remember, no matter what your work title is, your soft skills will always be useful. They will be useful, whether or not you identify them.
Next time you’re looking for a new job, keep in mind what’s in high demand and how your skills might assist you in landing that employment.