Lists of high paying jobs in Australia often mix up averages, medians and job ads. This guide uses official earnings data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), then translates it into something more useful for students: which careers pay well, and what it takes to get there.
Editorial review: figures are from ABS Employee Earnings (August 2025) and JSA occupation data (May 2025). Update when new releases are published.
brisbane City properties
Find your perfect student accommodation
The Benchmark: What Is a Good Salary in Australia?
According to JSA, median weekly full-time earnings across all occupations were $1,852 (ABS, May 2025). In August 2025, the ABS reported median weekly earnings of $1,425 for all employees in their main job, including part-time workers. Any role well above $1,852 a week full time is genuinely high paying.
Highest Paying Jobs in Australia: The Data
By occupation group (ABS, August 2025, median weekly earnings):
| Occupation group | Median weekly earnings | ||
| Chief Executives, General Managers and Legislators | $3,223 | ||
| Specialist Managers | $2,310 | ||
| ICT Professionals | $2,300 | Managers (all) | $2,072 |
| Professionals (all) | $1,900 | ||
| Labourers | $940 | ||
| Sales workers | $742 |
Individual occupations. JSA data shows medical roles at the top: surgeons had median weekly earnings of $3,905 and specialist physicians $3,620 in May 2025.
Qualifications matter. In August 2025, employees with a postgraduate degree had median weekly earnings of $2,000, compared with $1,000 for those without non-school qualifications.
High Pay Jobs Australia: Where Students Can Realistically Aim
The very top earners (surgeons, CEOs) take 10 to 20 years to reach. For students and recent graduates, these fields combine strong pay with realistic entry routes:
- ICT and cybersecurity. ICT Professionals are among the highest-earning sub-major groups. Cloud, data and security skills are in high demand.
- Engineering. Mining, civil and electrical engineering offer strong graduate pay, especially in regional and fly-in fly-out roles.
- Health. Registered nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and medical professionals. Entry requires an accredited degree and AHPRA registration.
- Accounting and finance. Large firms run annual graduate programs, with pay rising quickly after professional certification (CA or CPA).
- Construction management and skilled trades. Electricians, plumbers and project managers can earn high incomes, often without a university degree.
- Mining and resources. Historically among the highest paying industries, though roles may be remote.
Jobs With Good Pay Australia: Without a Degree
Not every well-paid role needs a bachelor’s degree:
- Electrician, plumber or other licensed trade via an apprenticeship.
- Mining operator or driller, often with on-the-job training.
- Sales roles in tech, real estate or industrial sectors, where commission can lift pay well above base.
- IT support to cybersecurity pathways, where certifications can substitute for formal study.
Best Careers in Australia for International Students
If you are an international student hoping to stay after graduation, it helps to choose a field that is both well paid and in demand:
- Check whether your target occupation appears on current skilled occupation lists.
- Look at the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) rules for your qualification level before you enrol.
- Build Australian work experience during study, within your 48-hours-per-fortnight work limit.
Visa and occupation lists change often, so always confirm with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered migration agent.
Top Careers in Australia: Honest Trade-offs
- Medicine: the highest earnings, but a very long training pathway and demanding hours.
- Mining and FIFO roles: strong pay, but time away from home and a sector exposed to commodity cycles.
- Tech: high salaries, but hiring can tighten quickly in a downturn.
- Trades: high income potential and self-employment options, but physically demanding work.
- Finance and law: strong earnings over time, but long hours and competitive graduate entry.
Who Each Path Suits
- You like problem-solving and computers: ICT, data or cybersecurity.
- You want to help people and are happy to study long-term: health and medicine.
- You prefer hands-on work and earning early: trades via apprenticeship.
- You want structured progression: accounting, finance or engineering graduate programs.
Conclusion
The high paying jobs in Australia cluster in medicine, management, ICT, engineering and mining, with postgraduate qualifications linked to higher median earnings. For students, the smartest move is choosing a field with both strong pay and a realistic entry route, then building experience while you study.
Wassup
Instagram??
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the highest paying jobs in Australia?
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, medical roles lead, with surgeons on median weekly earnings of $3,905 and specialist physicians on $3,620 (May 2025).
What counts as high paying jobs in Australia?
Roles well above the all-occupation median of $1,852 per week full time (May 2025) can be considered high paying jobs in Australia.
What are jobs with good pay in Australia without a degree?
Licensed trades like electrician and plumber, mining operator roles, commission-based sales and certified IT roles can pay well without a degree.
What are the best careers in Australia for the future?
ICT, cybersecurity, health, engineering and construction are consistently strong, combining high pay with ongoing demand.
What are the top careers in Australia for international students?
Fields on skilled occupation lists, such as nursing, engineering and ICT, are popular because they can support post-study visa pathways. Always check current lists.
Do high pay jobs in Australia need a postgraduate degree?
Not always, but ABS data shows employees with a postgraduate degree had median weekly earnings of $2,000 in August 2025, double those without post-school qualifications.