16 Highest Paying Professions In Australia (2024)

16 Highest Paying Professions In Australia

If you are an Australian resident, chances are that you have wondered what the highest paying professions in Australia are.

The highest paying professions have a lot of great salaries and amazing career opportunities, which provide skilled people with plenty of job openings.

There are many requirements that come along your way while choosing a profession as they could differ from one another in terms of experience, practical knowledge and educational requirements.

So, if you are all set to start your career as a professional you can check out the list below to know about these top 16 highest paying professions in Australia as outlined below

Highest Paying Professions In Australia

Without Wasting Time, Lets Get Started

16 Highest Paying Professions In Australia

1. Lawyers

According to the latest statistics, a lawyer is one of the highest paying professions in Australia which can earn you over $120,000 a year.

How much money do lawyers in Australia make?

It is estimated that the average salary of a lawyer ranges from $90,000 to $130,000.

The most popular cities to work as a lawyer are Sydney and Melbourne where you could get paid more than $100,000 per annum.

What does a lawyer do?

A lawyer works for legal counsel on behalf of their clients and provides legal advice on various issues in federal court and state courts.

The main responsibility of a lawyer is to give legal advice to people who are involved in some sort of litigation or dispute or criminal cases.

They also provide written or oral statements concerning their client's case in court.

For this purpose, they need to conduct some research on different aspects of law including constitutional law, administrative law, international law, etc.

As mentioned earlier, becoming a lawyer is one of the highest-paying professions in Australia.

So it is quite obvious that being a lawyer requires you to have high educational qualifications and knowledge about law and its amendments.

2. Engineers

An engineer is one of the highest paying professions in Australia, with a median annual salary of $90,000.

Being an engineer, you will have to be patient and consistent.

You should be able to think logically and must be very organized as well.

Also, you should have some knowledge in the technical field and have experience in designing and drafting projects.

Having a diploma or a degree in engineering is essential because many people are willing to work for you.

However, if you are not a professional engineer, you can still work as an engineering technician if you have a high school diploma or equivalent and two years of training or experience under supervision in the field of engineering.

When it comes to salaries, engineers can earn $56,000 to $120,000 per year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but the higher end of this salary range is for senior engineers with many years of experience. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,000 annually while the upper 10 percent earned more than $110,000 each year in 2012.

Specifically for civil engineer jobs alone, according to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), they earned an average annual salary of $87,890.

3. Doctor / Physician

In Australia, a Doctor / Physician is one of the highest-paying professions.

Usually, these professionals work in private clinics, hospitals, and also public health centers.

They also work as consultants in numerous other organizations and companies.

As a doctor/physician you will be responsible for performing medical diagnoses and treatment of patients and addressing any health concerns they may have.

The role involves working in different clinical settings to provide care to patients who are not able to receive it at home.

You will be required to assess a patient's condition and administer treatment such as counseling, examinations, and medications.

You will also advise on preventative measures and appropriate lifestyle changes that can benefit a patient's health.

Your duties will be varied between general practice clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities where you will work alongside nurses, dietitians, and other medical practitioners.

To practice as a doctor/physician in Australia you require an MBBS degree from an Australian-approved university or equivalent qualification from another country.

If your qualification is not from an English-speaking country you may be required to sit an IELTS test for your application to be accepted by an employer.

4. Specialist Managers

Specialist Managers

A specialist manager is worth mentioning amongst the highest paying profession in Australia that has a high expected salary.

If you are looking for a career in this field, you should have a post-secondary qualification in business management and have experience in managing teams and complex projects.

The job also requires excellent communication skills and organizational skills.

A specialist manager oversees employees in a specific area of expertise.

The most common areas of specialty include accounting, information technology, human resources, and marketing.

Typical duties include planning review meetings with team members, implementing new programs to increase productivity, evaluating employee performance, and setting goals for personal development. The specialist manager may work with external clients or vendors on an as-needed basis.

A bachelor's degree in business administration (or another related field) is required for this position.

Many employers require at least two years of supervisory experience as well as some project management training or certification.

If you choose to work as a specialist manager in the accounting industry, your job duties may include tracking financial transactions and preparing reports for managers who oversee larger departments.

In human resources, specialists manage employee benefits and compensation programs and help develop company policies regarding hiring, benefits, and retention.

Some work with external vendors to help set up government compliance programs.

5. Sales Assistants

Sales assistants are counted in the list of highest paying professions in Australia that has the potential to offer a salary above $100,000 per year.

Sales assistants are generally employed by retail stores to assist customers with purchasing products and services.

A sales assistant may also be referred to as a sales representative or cashier.

Sales assistants primarily engage in the selling of goods or services to customers.

They have no authority to make purchases or enter into contracts on behalf of their employer and must rely on the employer's policies and procedures for making such transactions.

Sales assistants are required to work at various locations throughout the day, including their place of employment and client sites.

They may be required to perform a variety of tasks, such as inventory control, stock room duties, product demonstration, processing sales transactions, accepting payment for goods/services sold, cash handling, and customer service responsibilities.

6. Accountants

It is not a surprise that one of the highest paying professions in Australia is an accountant.

The Accountant profession is one of the highest paying professions in Australia that you can choose.

With salaries reaching up to $105,000 it's no surprise why these professionals are sought after.

This salary range can be higher if you work for an accounting firm or are self-employed with your practice.

If you're wondering how you can become a professional accountant, here's what you need to know.

The first thing that you need to do is get a tertiary qualification that will enable you to practice as an accountant.

You can take a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) or equivalent which is usually four years of full-time study at the university level.

Consider studying part-time over two years if this suits your situation better or if you've already got relevant experience or qualifications that are recognized by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB).

Completing a professional program will give you the skills and qualifications needed for employment opportunities in the field of accounting.

After completing your studies, there is mandatory training that needs to be completed to be qualified and registered as an accountant in Australia.

7. Retail Managers

One of the highest-paying professions in Australia is retail management. Retail managers earn an average salary of $100,000 per year, which is almost double the average salary for all occupations in Australia.

In addition to good pay, most retail managers also receive excellent benefits and bonuses.

As of 2010, there were more than 84,000 people employed as retail managers throughout Australia.

Retail managers are responsible for managing and organizing the daily operations of a retail store or chain of stores.

They work with employees and customers to ensure that the business is running smoothly and profitably.

These professionals must possess strong leadership skills and be able to supervise and coordinate a large staff.

They are also expected to have a thorough knowledge of business operations, including marketing and finance.

Retail managers typically work full-time during regular business hours.

However, they may be required to work additional hours on short notice if there is an unplanned influx of customers or other emergencies arise.

Most retail managers work in stores located in shopping malls or downtown commercial areas.

8. Education Advisors

Education Advisors

With an average salary of $80,000, Education Advisors are one of the highest paying professions in Australia that specializes in the education industry.

The Education Advisor is responsible for promoting and selling products and services, typically to schools, colleges and universities.

They also advise clients on education programs and courses that they can offer to students.

Education Advisors manage a variety of responsibilities in their role, including:

Dealing with clients to help them make decisions about courses and programs
Collecting information about their needs and requirements
Consulting with colleagues about available courses and programs
Managing student enrolment for various courses or programs
Presenting new products or services to clients as needed

Education Advisors must have extensive knowledge about the education field, ensuring they can provide the best advice for their clients.

They must also be knowledgeable about current industry trends, so they can deliver new ideas to their clients as required.

9. Software and Applications Programmers

Software and Applications Programmers come to light while considering the highest paying profession in Australia.

This job requires designing, developing, and maintaining software systems.

Considering the opportunities available, this is one of the most lucrative professions in Australia.

The role of a Software and Applications Programmer is to create software systems that solve specific problems.

People who have completed an Advanced Diploma or a Bachelor Degree in Computer Science are qualified for this position.

The average salary of these professionals is $105,000 per annum in Australia.

The salaries may vary according to the employer's location as well as the level of experience.

For instance, someone with two to three years of experience can earn around $78000 per annum whereas an experienced professional with more than 10 years can earn close to $140000 per annum.

10. Camera Operators

A Camera operator is another highest paying profession in Australia that specializes in operating film or video cameras.

The career is a great choice for those who are interested in working behind the scenes of a television show or motion picture.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that roughly 7,600 camera operators were employed in 2010 and earned an average annual salary of $41,070.

Another interesting fact is that the highest-paid camera operators earn an annual salary between $69,000 and $82,000.

Camera operators capture images on film or video for use in news broadcasts, movies, and other productions.

They operate equipment such as television cameras, camcorders, tripods, remote-control cameras, and studio consoles to record live events and sequences.

In addition to operating the equipment, they also set up the equipment and test them to ensure they are recording at the right levels of brightness and sound.

11. Medical Scientists

Medical Scientists are one of those highest paying professions in Australia that specializes in the application of medical, biological, and life sciences.

The median salary of Medical Scientists is $80,000 while the average salary is $86,000 and the top salary is $105,000.

The Top 10% of Medical Scientists make $101,000 or more.

Medical scientists perform laboratory and clinical tests on biological specimens to detect and diagnose diseases such as cancer, infections, or genetic disorders.

They also conduct research to identify the causes of diseases and develop methods for preventing or curing them.

Medical scientists may study a disease directly by observing the behavior of microorganisms or cells, or indirectly via changes that occur in organisms due to infection with microorganisms.

Scientists who work in applied research usually study how new technology is used in industry.

This branch of science includes fields such as engineering design and development (e.g. to improve existing products).

Scientists who work in basic research aim to increase knowledge about the world and universe by studying phenomena through experimentation.

They are engaged in many areas of research from astrophysics to particle physics, from quarks to quantum mechanics.

12. Sales Representatives

Sales Representatives are one of the highest paying professions in Australia that you should check out if you're looking to make big money and fast.

They earn an average of $100,000 per year and up to $150,000 for some sales executives with experience.

Their main goal is to sell a certain product or service to a client, so they must have excellent communication skills and like working with people. Sales representatives must be outgoing and enjoy putting together presentations and proposals for potential clients.

Many employers prefer applicants with a bachelor's degree in business, marketing or sales.

If you aren't able to attend college full-time, enroll in an online program at a community college or study part-time at a four-year university.

You may also want to consider taking business classes at a trade school or vocational institute because experience is highly valued by most employers when it comes to sales jobs.

While many sales representatives travel throughout the country on business trips, those who work mainly from their office can still earn a high salary.

Your employer will likely provide all necessary equipment such as computers so all you need to do is be comfortable with technology and have your transportation if you'll be visiting clients on the road.

13. Psychologists

A psychologist is a profession that is recognized amongst the highest paying profession in Australia that you can do if you're not an academic.

Psychologists can make up to $100,000 per year.

The median pay for a psychologist is $70,000 per year.

The top psychologists in Australia earn between $90,000 and $100,000 every year.

This is quite surprising considering that psychologists only have a high school diploma or its equivalent as their highest qualification.

They don't even need any formal training to become a psychologist. But keep in mind that these figures might be very different depending on the area where you live or work.

It should be noted that the pay scale for psychologists will differ from state to state and territory to territory.

This is because each state has its guidelines on how much it pays for certain jobs and professions.

14. Advertising

An advertiser is also the highest paying profession in Australia which specializes in planning and organizing, several integrated communications campaigns to promote and sell products, services, or ideas.

They also apply several skills such as project management, problem-solving, innovation, creativity, and strategic thinking in their work.

They work with art directors and copywriters to develop promotional concepts for their clients.

The average salary for an advertising professional is $106,000.

15. Personal Assistants

A personal assistant or PA is an employee who is hired to perform administrative functions for their employer in a business or other organization.

The role of a personal assistant can encompass many responsibilities within an organization, and they often serve as gatekeepers and advisors to higher-ranking employees.

Their duties may include scheduling appointments, arranging travel, managing expense reports, or handling email and phone calls.

They may also be responsible for some aspects of human resources within the organization, such as hiring employees and maintaining records of employment.

A personal assistant has relationships with people at all levels of an organization, so they must have good communication skills and be able to work well with others.

A PA is involved with their boss' time management and day-to-day administrative support needs.

The extent of this involvement will differ across organizations and also between individual PAs in the same organization.

16. Air Traffic Controllers

The Air Traffic Controller is one of the highest paying professions in Australia that does not require a degree.

Although, you do need to undergo a minimum of three years of training and pass a psychometric test, physical fitness test as well as and aptitude test.

The average salary for an Air Traffic Controller is $196,611 per year.

To become a trainee air traffic controller, you will need to complete the Diploma of Aviation (Air Traffic Control) at the Airport College International in Melbourne or Brisbane.

The course runs for three semesters and is estimated to cost $11,000.

Then you will be required to sit the Australian Air Traffic Control Selection Test and if successful move on to the practical component of the training.

You will be trained in aviation language and procedures, airport meteorology and aeronautical information services, as well as air traffic control procedures and practices.

You will also have to undertake repetitive radio exercises with your instructor, giving you real-time experience.

Conclusion on Highest Paying Professions In Australia

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog.

To wrap up this blog, we would like to note that the above-mentioned Highest Paying Professions In Australia are beneficial for all types and graduates of universities in Australia.

This will serve as a motivation factor for them to do their best and never stop learning new things.

The above highest paying professions in Australia are some of the best paying that you can currently get.

If you have any other questions regarding the above information, please feel free to drop your comments at the comment section below

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16 Highest Paying Professions In Australia (2024)