Top 26 Highest Paying Jobs In Australia: The Ultimate List

Some people value job satisfaction over a big salary, while others prioritise money for a fulfilling life.

Choosing a job based on pay requires considering that different industries have varying salaries. Certain jobs offer work-life balance, allowing time for family, while high-paying jobs demand more time.

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) revealed top-paying jobs, including medicine, finance, and engineering. This guide helps you understand Australia's highest-paying jobs to set ambitious salary goals.

1. Medical Professionals

The Healthcare system in Australia is one of the best around the globe, allowing students to take up specific practices like anaesthetists, surgery, psychiatry, and more.

Additionally, the Australian education system for medical students is exceptional and reputable, which you should consider giving the range of educational opportunities available.

According to the data shared by ATO, the top highest-paying jobs in Australia are in the medical field. These professions include the following:

• Surgeons: Around 4,000 Australians work under this occupation, earning an average taxable income of $394,866.

• Anaesthetists: More than 3,000 professionals in Australia work as anaesthetists. They earn an average taxable salary of $367,343.

• Internal Medicine Specialists: More than 8,500 are employed under this occupation nationwide, earning approximately $299,378 annually. 

• Psychiatrists: Australia has roughly 2,800 employees who work as psychiatrists and earn an average taxable wage of $216,075. 

• Other Medical Practitioners: Professionals who handle other medical departments fall under this category. There are over 28,000 workers employed under this position, getting an average taxable income of $216,075.

Your Pathway To Anaesthetics, Surgery, or Medical Specialisations:

If pursuing a medical career interests you, consider enrolling in the Bachelor of Medicine or Bachelor of Surgery program in Australia, typically lasting about six years.

As you progress in your studies, you can choose a specific specialisation. For more details, reach out to your desired university for additional information.

2. Business and Finance

With the growth of the financial services sector in Australia, many opportunities have opened up for people interested in business and finance roles. You can also expect a high salary in Australia if you have the required financial or business skills. 

As per the ATO's list, here are the top business and finance positions that earn the highest amount of salary:

• Financial Dealers: Around 4,500 employees work as financial dealers in Australia. They get an average salary of $261,008.

• Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Managing Directors: Roughly 174,000 people work under executive management positions, earning an average income of $157,643. 

• Financial Managers: These professionals earn an average salary of up to $131,993.

• Financial Strategy and Planning: The average taxable income of these workers in Australia is around $129,238.

• Accounting Company Secretaries: A company secretary is responsible for administering and managing the company's affairs. They earn an average taxable income of around $128,641.

• Management, Construction, and Project Managers: Professionals in these positions earn an average taxable wage of $130,000. 

• Consulting and Strategy: These positions have an approximate taxable income of $126,000.

• Insurance and Superannuation Managers: This occupation is best for individuals with a strong understanding of risk management. Employees who work in this position can earn up to an average salary of $124,480.

Your Pathway To Business and Finance Roles:

To begin your journey into these professions, you can pursue courses like a Bachelor of Accounting, Corporate Finance, and Business Management from any of the top universities in Australia. 

Suppose you are interested in financial management and trading. In that case, a Bachelor of Corporate Finance will provide you with the skills required to advance in this career.

3. Judicial and Other Legal Professionals

In Australia, Judicial and legal professionals are appointed by the Federal or State Governor or Attorney-General.

They handle legal matters in tribunals and courts, offering analysis, interpretation, administration, and legal advice. The legal industry employs over 3,500 individuals with an average taxable salary of $195,703.

Typically, the role of a Judge is among the top legal professions, representing the highest-paying job for females. However, General Counsel positions in the corporate sector can earn an average salary ranging from $205,000 to $283,999, exceeding the average income of Judges.

Chief Legal Officer 

Chief Legal Officers serve as leading lawyers within a company, providing crucial legal advice. Their main duty is communicating important legal decisions to the company's CEO.

As per Pay Scale, the average salary for Chief Legal Officers in Australia is AU$120,000 per year.

Barrister

A Barrister is typically a lawyer whose primary role involves presenting evidence before a jury or judge in court, as well as assisting in negotiating plea bargains and settlements. According to Pay Scale, the average salary for Barristers in Australia is AU$99,036 annually.

Company Secretary

Company secretaries lead the organisation via administrative, clerical, and legal support in areas of governance and compliance. According to Pay Scale, Australia's average Corporate Secretary's salary is AU$87,891 annually.

Corporate Lawyer

Corporate lawyers support business clients in navigating local laws during business formation, development, and dissolution. They guide on legal matters and draft corporate contracts.

Many corporate lawyers specialise in corporate governance, private equity, mergers, and acquisitions. According to Pay Scale, the average salary for Corporate Lawyers in Australia is AU$82,272 per year.

Your pathway to Judicial and other legal professions:

To qualify for Judicial and other legal professions in Australia, you must have successfully finished a law degree and hold a law license for at least eight years.

Typically, individuals in legal professions in Australia accumulate over eight years of experience before receiving official designations. Additionally, those aspiring to higher legal positions often opt for postgraduate studies.

4. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

As Australia's data and technology industries expand rapidly, there is an increased demand for ICT professionals, leading to higher wages.

According to data from various salary calculation websites, ICT specialists can anticipate the following average taxable incomes:
 

• ICT Systems Architect: These professionals are responsible for building, designing, and testing an organisation's infrastructure with an internal network. Considering the highly complex and technical expertise required for this field, ICT professionals can command high salaries from employers. The average taxable income of an ICT specialist in Australia is around $139,883.

• ICT Manager: With many organisations focusing on the development of technology, there is a high value for IT professionals who can fill the gap between business development and technical expertise. The approximate average salary income of ICT managers in Australia is $134,639.

• IT Security Architect: The primary responsibility of an IT security architect is to protect and secure an organisation's infrastructure and extremely crucial data from malicious invaders. Thus, an IT security architect in Australia can expect a high average wage of up to $124,000.

• Cloud Engineer: This is another most in-demand job in Australia, consisting of different roles, such as cloud security engineer, cloud software engineer, cloud systems engineer, and cloud network engineer. The average taxable income of a cloud engineer in Australia is around $112,000.

• Data Scientist: These professionals are primarily responsible for gathering, analysing, and interpreting mass amounts of data and turning it into actionable and valuable information. In almost every sector, organisations are looking for competent and qualified data scientists, making it a highly paid-profession. The average taxable salary drawn by a data scientist in Australia is around $100,000.

Your Pathway To a Career In ICT:

To become an ICT professional in Australia, you must have an in-depth knowledge of programming languages. You also need a bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses. 

You can also opt for other qualifications like a Bachelor of Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Bachelor of Engineering, depending on the type of ICT career you would like to pursue.

5. Engineering

The engineering field in Australia offers a wide range of opportunities.

Engineers can take on specialised roles across various disciplines, showcasing their expertise. Australian universities provide engineering courses and industry-focused practical learning, enabling individuals to forge careers in their preferred engineering field.

According to data from the Australian Tax Office (ATO), some of the top and highest-paying engineering professions in Australia are:

• Mining Engineers: Australia's mining industry is substantial, providing opportunities for over 8,000 mining engineers nationwide. These professionals enjoy a generous average annual salary, with a minimum of at least $167,345.

• Engineering Managers: The responsibility of an engineering manager in Australia is to administer, plan, and review technical and engineering operations. There are more than 25,000 workers in Australia who work in this position and earn an average wage of $147,451.

Your Pathway To Becoming an Engineer In Australia:

Due to the considerable demand for qualified engineers in Australia, obtaining an undergraduate degree from an accredited university and subsequently pursuing a Master of Engineering is crucial. This combined educational path leads to a higher qualification than enrolling in a double degree program alone.

This advanced qualification enhances professional expertise and cultivates analytical, technical, and interpersonal skills, unlocking opportunities for advanced engineering professions.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Are The Highest-Paying Jobs in Australia Without a Degree? 

According to Indeed, the high-paying unskilled jobs, along with average salaries in Australia:

• Social Media Manager - $83,211 per year

• Driller - $87,815 per year

• Safety Sonsultant - $96,090 per year

• Senior Care Worker - $96,249 per year

• Applications Developer - $98,053 per year

• Site Supervisor - $101,806 per year

• Security Manager - $110,222 per year

• Recruitment Manager - $115,489 per year

• Human Resource Manager - $118,000 per year

• Underground Miner - $120,399 per year

• Construction Manager - $171,341 per year

2. What Are The High-Paying Jobs in Australia With no Experience?

Surprisingly, numerous full-time and part-time roles offer a high salary without requiring any prior experience.

Candidates usually get on-the-job training and build experience. A degree qualification isn't necessary, but a VET qualification can improve your entry into the role.

List of jobs (with national average salary and relevant entry qualification):

• Concreter: $109,200 per year - Having an apprenticeship is optional but beneficial

• Building and Plumbing Labourer: $75,816 per year - Certificate IV in Building and Construction

• Carpet, Window, and other Cleaners: $72,020 per year- Certificate III in Cleaning Operations

• Customer Service Representative: $62,192 per year- Certificate III in Business (Customer Engagement)

• Aged and Disabled Carer: $65,780 per year - Certificate III in Individual Support

• Proof-Reader: $66,526 per year - An undergraduate degree in English or VET qualification

• Administrative Assistant/Office Support Worker: $59,103 per year - Diploma in Business Administration

• Virtual Assistant: $49,400 per year - Diploma in Business Administration

• Visual Merchandiser: $64,792 per year - Diploma of Visual Merchandising

• Sales Representative: $73,788 per year

• Cafe Worker: $53,560 per year - Certificate III in Hospitality

• Medical Record Clerk: $65,780 per year - Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical)

• Human Resource Clerk: $63,690 per year - Certificate IV in Human Resource Management

• Light Technician: $69,004 per year

• Data Entry Operator: $40,508 per year - Certificate III in Business

• Real Estate Agent: $60,372 per year

What Are The Highest-Paying Jobs in Australia for Females? 

According to the latest ATO data, below are the top fifteen highest-paid careers for women in Australia:

• Judge - $355,844 per year

It is the top legal profession and a lucrative female job in Australia. Judges are public officials with the authority to hear, determine and preside over legal cases bought in a law court. According to Pay Scale, the average Judge's salary in Australia is AU$233,483 per year.

• Neurosurgeon - $323,682 per year

• Futures Trader - $281,600 per year

• Magistrate - $260,161 per year

• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon - $281,608 per year

• Vascular Surgeon - $271,529 per year

• Gynaecologist, Obstetrician - $264,628 per year

• Gastroenterologist - $260,925 per year

• Anaesthetist - $243,582 per year

• Ophthalmologist - $217,242 per year

• Cardiologist - $215,920 per year

• Urologist - $213,094 per year

• General Surgeon - $210,796 per year

• Medical Oncologist - $208,612 per year

• Specialist Physicians - $207,599 per year

What is The Easiest High-Paying Job in Australia?

While high-paying jobs often come with challenges and stress, some are relatively easy and offer lucrative salaries.

Explore Australia's top 15 easy and well-paying careers, along with their national average wages.

• Personal Trainer - $67,217 per year

• Park Ranger - $67,335 per year

• House Painter - $69,315 per year

• Garbage Collector - $73,045 per year

• Fitness Instructor - $80,981 per year

• Truck Driver - $81,752 per year

• Social Media Manager - $83,986 per year

• Librarian - $84,414 per year

• Dispatcher - $86,560 per year

• Electrician - $88,143 per year

• Virtual Assistant - $88,718 per year

• Safety Specialist - $99,281 per year

• Senior Care Worker - $99,925 per year

• Medical Sales Executive - $105,271 per year

• Optometrist - $123,248 per year

What are The Highest-Paying Jobs in The World in the Future?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) employment growth predictions give a good idea of the long-term career trajectory of various roles. 
 

Here are the top fifteen lucrative professions that promise serious growth over the next decade:

• Nurse Practitioner: Average Salary - $129,106 p.a. Estimated growth rate (2021-2031) - 45.7% (much faster than average)

• Data Scientist: Average Salary -$120,478 p.a. Estimated growth rate (2021 – 2031) - 35.8% (much faster than average)

• Information Security Analyst -  Average Salary - $112,190 p.a. Estimated growth rate (2021-20131) -35% (much faster than average)

• Web Developers (Front/Back-end, and Full-Stack) - Avg. Salary -$100,979 p.a. Estimated growth rate (2021-2031) - 30.3% (much faster than average)

• Physician Assistant - Average Salary - $67,928 p.a. Estimated growth rate (2021-2031) - 28% (much faster than average)

• Software Developer - Average Salary - $ 104,756 p.a. Estimated growth rate (2021-2031) - 25% (much faster than average)

• Actuary - Average Salary - $110,447 p.a. Estimated growth rate (2021-2031) - 21% (much faster than average)

• Financial Manager/Financial Management Specialist - Avg. Salary - $106,424. Estimated growth rate (2021-2031) - 17% (much faster than average)

• Information Systems Manager - Average Salary: $125,783 p.a. Estimated growth rate (2021- 2031) - 16% (much faster than average)

• Community Service Officers - Average Salary - $84,836 p.a. Estimated growth rate (2021-2031) - 12% (much faster than average)

• Management Analysts - Average Salary -$104,526 p.a. Estimated growth rate (2121-2031) - 11% (much faster than average)

• Industrial Engineer - Average Salary -$86,666 p.a. Estimated growth rate (2021-2031) - 10.2% (faster than average)

• Marketing Manager - Average Salary - $105,114 p.a. Estimated growth rate (2021 -2031) - 9.9% (faster than average)

• Database Administrator - Average Salary - $104,310 p.a. Estimated growth rate (2021 -2031) - 8.1% (faster than average)

• Public Relations (PR) Manager - Average Salary- $36,912 p.a. Estimated growth rate (2021 -2031) - 8% (faster than average)

How To Get a High-Paying Job?

Every student dreams of getting a high package job after completing their education. Some people progress much faster in their careers than their peers and earn significant figures.

If you think they excelled in their profession solely based on their academics, then the answer is clear 'NO.' Academics no doubt hold an important place in the selection process. Still, along with it, you need some of the best systematic skills to get a competitive edge and land a lucrative role fast:

• Communication Skills

• Leadership skills

• Technical Skills

• Problem-Solving skills

• Self-Management

Apart from your core academics, having the above soft skills will boost your employability and put you in high demand in your preferred industry.

Is 100k a Year a Good Salary in Australia?

Yes. AU$ 100,000 a year is more than the average salary in Australia.

Living a comfortable life in most areas of the country should be sufficient. In major cities like Sydney, you can live comfortably with an income between AU$ 80 K and AU$ 100K.

Closing Words

When conducting a job search, it's crucial to recognise that money isn't always the determining factor.

There might be instances where a specific profession doesn't provide a highly competitive salary. In such cases, exploring other benefits, such as flexible working hours, paid leaves, and extended medical benefits, is worthwhile.

These additional perks can be valuable compensation for a potentially lower average salary.

Useful Links to Explore:

• English Language Requirements for Australia
• Cultural differences you may experience in Australia
• How to find Part-Time work as a Student in Australia
• Seven Tips for Students on a Budget in Australia
• How to get a Scholarship to Study in Australia
• Driving in Australia as an International Student
• How to change your Course or Institute in Australia
• The Benefits of a Professional Year Program (PYP)
• A Complete Guide to Study in Australia
• Types of Education in Australia
• What to Study in Australia?