Although the pandemic has created unexpected high unemployment rates globally, there was a strong surge in the employment rate right after multiple lockdowns were eased in Australia. Even though most companies have frozen their hiring process, there are still sectors that are actively hiring due to the need for more human resources.
Some of Australia’s highest employing industries are Health Care and Social Assistance, Construction, Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, and Education and Training.
In this article, we’ll be giving an insight into the job opportunities available in Australia according to the Australia National Skills Commission and the suitable degrees for it.
Health Care & Social Assistance
With COVID 19 pandemic, the healthcare industry is deemed one of Australia’s booming industries. In 2020, over 1.7 million people were employed and it is projected to increase to more than 1.9 million by 2024, according to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee.
If you’re interested in being in the medical field, we would suggest pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing and psychology. Both nursing and psychology are in the top employing area in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector.
Nursing Degree in Australia
As a result of the growing population in Australia and the availability of more treatment options, a significant number of nurses are required to help fulfil the high demand. Nurses are known to be a doctor’s right hand in hospitals as nurses are the ones who help treat the patients accordingly after a doctor has diagnosed the patient. Doctors and nurses collaborate as a care team to provide the best and effective care they can for the patients.
Recommended Universities to Study Nursing Degree
QS World Ranking (2020) by Subjects | Program | University | Indicative Annual Fees (2021) |
7th | Bachelor of Nursing | University of Technology Sydney (UTS) | AUD $34,540 |
13th | Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) | University of Sydney | AUD $40,500 |
14th | Bachelor of Nursing | Monash University | AUD$35,500 |
26th | Bachelor of Nursing | University of Melbourne | AUD$33,024 |
29th | Bachelor of Nursing | Deakin University | AUD $35,200 |
Read more: Top Nursing Universities in Australia 2020
Psychology Degree in Australia
Psychologists seek to understand and explain thoughts, emotions and behaviour. They use techniques such as observation, assessment and experiment to develop theories about the beliefs and feelings that influence the individual. They use their findings to help improve the processes and behaviours.
Recommended Universities to Study Psychology Degree
QS World Ranking (2020) by Subjects | Program | University | Indicative Annual Fees (2021) |
17th | Bachelor of Science (Psychology) | University of Melbourne | AUD $41,912 – AUD$45,944 |
22nd | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) | University of New South Wales (UNSW) | AUD$44,760 |
23rd | Bachelor of Psychological Science | University of Queensland | AUD $37,760 |
27th | Bachelor of Psychology | University of Sydney | AUD $50,000 |
31st | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) | National University of Australia | AUD $46,910 |
Read more: Study Psychology in Australia 2020
Construction
The construction industry focuses on construction, demolition, renovation, maintenance and repair works of a building. The construction industry generates around 360 billion in revenue. According to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee, it has an annual growth of 2.4%, about 1.2 million for the next five years.
If you’re fascinated in the engineering field and would like to be hands-on in the construction sector, we would suggest a degree in civil engineering and electrical and electronic engineering would be a good fit as the aside of architects, civil and electrical engineers are two of the top employing occupations in Australia under the construction sector.
Civil Engineering Degree in Australia
Civil engineers are the ones who oversee ongoing construction projects. They are responsible for the completion, functionality and safety of the project. They often work with architects and a team of construction managers and workers.
Recommended Universities to Study Civil Engineering Degree
QS World Subjects Ranking (2020) | Programs | University | Indicative Annual Fees (2021) |
11th | Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering with Architecture (Honours) | University of New South Wales (UNSW) | AUD $47,760 |
14th | Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil Engineering) | The University of Sydney | AUD $50,000 |
21st | Bachelors of Engineering (Honours) Civil Engineering | Monash University | AUD $46,000 |
26th | Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil Engineering) | University of Queensland (UQ) | AUD $45,120 |
50-100 | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Civil) | Queensland University of Technology (QUT) | AUD $39,300 |
Read more: Study Civil Engineering in Australia
Electrical & Electronic Engineering Degree in Australia
Electrical & electronic engineering is responsible for designing and developing new electrical systems, solving problems, and testing equipment. They study and apply the physics and mathematics of electricity, electromagnetism and electronics to large and small scale systems to process information and transmit energy. They work with all kinds of electronic devices, from the smallest pocket devices to large supercomputers.
Recommended Universities to Study Civil Engineering Degree
QS World Subjects Ranking (2020) | Programs | University | Indicative Annual Fees (2021) |
35th | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Electrical | University of New South Wales (UNSW) | AUD $47, 760 |
50-100 | Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Electrical Engineering) | University of Sydney | AUD $50,000 |
51-100 | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Electrical and Electronic Engineering) | University of Technology Sydney (UTS) | AUD $48,163 |
151-200 | Bachelor of Engineering(Honours) (Electrical) | Queensland University of Technology (QUT) | AUD $39,300 |
151-200 | Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Electronic and Energy Engineering | Griffith University | AUD $37,000 |
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services is a large and diverse industry that includes legal and accounting services, veterinary services and computer design systems.
The industry has managed to employ 1.1 million people, roughly around 9.3% of the total workforce. Over the past five years, the employment rate has increased to 16.8% and is the 6th fastest growing sector in Australia. According to the Australian Labour Market, the industry has projected to have employment growth of 15% in the upcoming years.
The top 5 employing occupations under Professional, Scientific and Technical Services are accountants, software and application programmers, solicitors, management and organisational analysts, architects and landscape architects.
If you would like numbers and love technology, we would recommend a bachelor degree in accountancy and computer science/information technology. Both of these occupations play a crucial role in major organisations.
Accounting Degree in Australia
Accountants play a crucial role in companies, from simple bookkeeping to analysing complex economic data for making business strategies. It is the reason why accountants can be seen at the board meeting interpreting graphical representation. Based on the merit of the data, future financial strategy and plans are made by accountants. There is no doubt that accountants are of great importance for companies willing to succeed in the globalised world.
Recommended Universities to Study Accounts Degree
QS World Subjects Ranking (2020) | Program | University | Indicative Annual Fees (2021) |
15th | Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) | University of New South Wales (UNSW) | AUD$44,880 |
16th | Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) | University of Melbourne | AUD $44,512 |
22nd | Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) | University of Sydney | AUD $46,000 |
36th | Bachelor of Accounting | Monash University | AUD $45,000 |
49th | Bachelor of Accounting | The Australian National University | AUD $39,090 |
Read more: Study Accounting in Australia (2020)
Computer Science and Information Technology
Australia’s constant growth and the emerging of new technologies have created a broad employment market to keep up with technological advancement. Most industries are trying their best to corporate technology to make it easier to run their business. Aside from companies, there are plenty of other sectors incorporating technology advancements such as the medical field, engineering and many more.
The largest sector within computer science and information technology is Computer System Design and its related services. This sector has seen substantial growth over the past couple of decades. 2020 has seen the highest employment level with 271,800 and is projected to grow to 287,400 by 2024, according to the Australian Industry and Skilled Community
Computer Science and Information Technology Degree in Australia
From calling someone to instant messaging, the evolution of technology has brought ease to everyone. Everything we know or use to do it manually is being digitised. Organisations worldwide are competing against each other to have the best cutting edge technology to satisfy their consumers. Due to constant innovation and upgrades, the demand for IT and computer science graduates has drastically increased.
Recommended Universities to Study Computer Science & Information Technology Degree
QS World Subjects Ranking (2020) | Program | University | Indicative Annual Fees (2021) |
32nd | Bachelor of Science (Computer Science/Information Technology) | University of Melbourne | AUD $41,912 – AUD $45,944 |
41st | Bachelor of Science (Computer Science/Information Technology) | The National Australian University | AUD $48,384 |
42nd | Bachelor of Computing Science (Computer Science) | University of Sydney | AUD $45,600 |
50-100 | Bachelor of Computer Science /Bachelor of Information Technology | Monash University | AUD $42,800 |
50-100 | Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) | The University of New South Wales (UNSW) | AUD $47,760 |
Education & Training
According to the Australian Labour Market, the education and training industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors and is expected to grow 12% in the next five years. It is also one of the fastest-changing with new technologies and skills practised all over the country. More than 1.200 institutions across Australia offer about 22,000 different types of courses ranging from engineering to baking. 65% of the education industry currently holds a bachelor degree or higher, and that number is expected to not drop over time.
You don’t get tired of kids and love them to bits, then being a teacher could be your calling. Since Australia is one of the countries that offer high-quality education and requires teachers, a bachelor degree in education could set the right path for you. However, if you’re interested in being in the field and coaching students to be their best in the sport they like, a sports science degree might help.
Education Degree in Australia
Australians take their education very seriously, which is why most of their universities are in the top 100 according to the QS World Universities Ranking.
According to the Australian National Skills Commission, primary teachers are on top priority in the education sector as they are currently experiencing a shortage.
However, if you’re interested in being a part of Australia’s teaching community, you would need a bachelor’s degree and possess the necessary accreditations.
Recommended Universities to Study Education Degree
QS World Subjects Ranking (2020) | Program | University | Indicative Annual Fees (2021) |
12th | Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Primary or Secondary Education | Monash University | AUD $34,000 |
20th | Bachelor of Education (Primary or Secondary) | The University of Sydney | AUD $48,500 |
23rd | Bachelor of Education (Primary or Secondary) | The University of Queensland | AUD $32,532 |
32nd | Bachelor of Education (Primary or Secondary) | Deakin University | AUD$30,400 |
50-100 | Bachelor of Education (Primary or Secondary) | Queensland University of Technology (QUT) | AUD$31,600 |
Read more: Study Education in Australia 2020
Sports Science Degree in Australia
Sports science applies the study of science to sporting activities. The focus of sports science is to help maximise performance and endurance in preparation for events and competitions while lessening the risk of injury. It’s used to help identify strengths and weaknesses so that a training program can be individualised for everyone from athletes to the elderly, and everyone in-between.
Recommended Universities to Study Sports Science Degree
QS World Subjects Ranking (2020) | Program | University | Indicative Annual Fees (2021) |
3rd | Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science (Honours) | University of Queensland | AUD $38,496 |
4th | Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sport Science) | University of Sydney | AUD $55,000 |
15th | Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science | Deakin University | AUD $37,000 |
24th | Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science | University of Technology Sydney | AUD $33,936 |
33rd | Bachelor of Exercise Science | Griffith University | AUD $33,000 |
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About the Author
Rebecca Visvanathan
Caffeine addict that’s constantly on the run!