Australia is known for its resilient labour market, and the low unemployment rate of 3.5% shows it. Moreover, labour laws are fairly regulated, with the national minimum wage being $812.60 per week for a 38-hour week and employees having considerable paid leave days.
Using data from the Australian Taxation Office, we found some of the highest-paid jobs through average taxable incomes in Australia.
Whether you need some inspiration for your field of studies or just want to know out of curiosity, these are some of the highest-paying jobs in Australia:
- Surgeon – $406,068
- Anaesthetist – $388,814
- Internal Medicine Specialist – $310,848
- Financial Dealer – $279,790
- Psychiatrist – $252,691
- Other Medical Practitioners – $232,903
- Judicial or Other Legal Professionals – $189,538
- Mining Engineer – $188,083
- Engineering Manager – $161,514
- Financial Investment Advisor or Manager – $155,882
Table of Contents
Surgeon
Average salary: $406,068
Surgeons made the top of the list for the highest-paid jobs in Australia, with a taxable salary of $406,068 annually. The role and responsibilities of a surgeon include diagnosing injuries and diseases, performing operations to treat injuries and diseases, and providing post-operative plans for patients.
To become a surgeon in Australia, you have to:
- Complete an accredited medical degree such as a Bachelor of Medical Studies.
- Complete a one-year internship to then apply for general registration with the Medical Board of Australia.
- Complete a minimum of one year of training as a Resident.
- Apply to and complete one of the nine surgical specialty programs at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons’ Surgical Education and Training (SET).
Some of the skills that future surgeons should possess include:
- Excellent hand-eye coordination.
- Attention to detail.
- Good communication.
- Effective time management, etc.
Anaesthetist
Average salary: $388,814
Anaesthetists are the second highest-paid individuals in Australia. Their average taxable salary according to government data is $388,814 annually. This profession is a medical specialty that entails administering general anaesthesia, sedation, and regional anaesthesia, perioperative and postoperative management, resuscitation of the patient, and more.
To become an anaesthetist in Australia, you will have to:
- Complete an accredited medical degree such as a Bachelor of Medical Studies.
- Complete a one-year internship at a hospital.
- Complete a minimum one-year hospital residency.
- Apply to and complete a fellowship at the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA).
Some of the most common skills and traits that anaesthetists need to have are:
- Emotional resilience & working under pressure.
- Excellent resource and time management.
- Strong communication skills.
- Good manual dexterity, etc.
Internal Medicine Specialist
Average salary: $310,848
Another medical profession made the top of the highest-paid salaries in Australia. The average annual taxable salary of internal medicine specialists in Australia is $310,848. Internal medicine involves applying scientific knowledge and clinical skills to prevent, diagnose, and treat internal diseases. These health issues can be simple or complex, as well as acute or chronic.
The route to becoming an internal medicine specialist in Australia typically requires you to:
- Apply to and graduate with an accredited medical degree such as a Bachelor of Medical Studies.
- Complete a one-year internship or work as a postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) doctor.
- Complete a minimum one-year hospital residency.
- Apply for and complete a fellowship with The Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
Some skills and traits that make good internal medicine specialists include:
- Research and analytical skills.
- Physical stamina.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Good organization, etc.
Financial Dealer
Average salary: $279,790
The next job that made the highest-paid list is that of the financial dealer. At an average of $279,790 annual taxable income, this is quite a lucrative career for people in Australia. A financial dealer’s responsibilities include advising and informing clients on various financial markets or products, as well as strategically buying and selling securities and commodities on their behalf.
Some relevant degrees you can choose from to become a financial dealer in Australia are:
- Bachelor of Finance
- Bachelor of Accounting
- Bachelor of Economics
- Bachelor of Business
There are also a variety of postgraduate programs that you can study to specialize or gain more information in a specific field. Further, you will need to apply for an AFS Licence from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
As for skills, financial dealers should possess the following:
- Deep understanding of finance and financial markets.
- Analytical and planning skills.
- Working under pressure.
- Research skills, etc.
Psychiatrist
Average salary: $252,691
The need for mental health workers is on the rise in many countries around the world, so it is no surprise that psychiatrists made the list of Australia’s highest-paid jobs. With a median taxable annual salary of $252,691, psychiatrists play a crucial role in dealing with the rising rate of mental and behavioural conditions in Australia.
The daily responsibilities of psychiatrists include assessing patients’ physical and mental symptoms, diagnosing, providing psychological treatment, and prescribing medications.
The common route to becoming a psychiatrist in Australia requires you to:
- Graduate with an accredited medical degree such as a Bachelor of Medical Studies.
- Complete a minimum one-year internship at a hospital.
- Complete a minimum one-year residency program.
- Apply for and complete the psychiatry training program at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).
Typical skills and traits that good psychiatrists should have are:
- Empathy and compassion.
- Good communication and listening skills.
- Emotional resilience.
- Problem-solving, etc.
Other Medical Practitioners
Average salary: $232,903
At this point, you are likely sensing a pattern here; many medical professionals are highly appreciated and well-compensated in Australia. The category of other medical practitioners is sixth on the list, with an annual taxable salary of $232,903. Medical practitioners (doctors) are licensed professionals who deal with the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, physical illnesses, injuries, and disorders.
If you want to follow the standard pathway to become a medical practitioner in Australia, you should:
- Graduate from an accredited medical degree program such as a Bachelor of Medical Studies.
- Complete a compulsory one-year internship at a hospital and obtain general medical registration by the Medical Board of Australia.
- Complete a residency program at a hospital.
- Apply and complete a fellowship through a specialty medical training program.
Some skills that make good medical practitioners include:
- Exercising high medical standards.
- Good communication skills.
- Self-discipline.
- Empathy & compassion, etc.
Judicial or Other Legal Professionals
Average salary: $189,538
Another highly-paid category of jobs in Australia includes judicial or other legal professionals, at a yearly taxable salary of $189,538. This type of work involves hearing legal issues in courts and tribunals, interpreting laws, analysing them, providing legal advice, and drafting legislation.
The pathway to working as a judicial or another legal professional in Australia typically requires you to:
- Complete a Bachelor of Law program or equivalent.
- Complete a Practical Legal Training (PLT) program to get a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP).
- Apply for admission as a legal practitioner in your state or territory.
Soft skills for judicial or other legal professionals include:
- Excellent written and oral communication.
- Good negotiator.
- Analytical and research skills.
- Organisation skills, etc.
Mining Engineer
Average salary: $188,083
As the fourth largest mining country in the world and with over 350 operating mine sites in the country, it is no surprise that Australia values mining engineers. These professionals made the list of the highest-paying jobs with an annual taxable income of $188,083. A mining engineer’s responsibilities include managing mining operations, i.e. planning and supervising mineral extractions.
To become a mining engineer in Australia, you will need to:
- Complete a Bachelor of Engineering degree with a major in mining or geotechnical engineering.
- Some jurisdictions require engineers to achieve registration.
As a mining engineer, you will be expected to have the following skills:
- Analytical skills.
- Decision-making.
- IT skills.
- Good organisational skills, etc.
Engineering Manager
Average salary: $161,514
Engineering managers play an important role in ensuring optimal operations of engineering projects and teams. As such, they are highly compensated in Australia, with an annual taxable salary of $161,514. Their daily work consists of planning, designing, and managing engineering projects, which also involves dealing with project budgets and resources.
To become an engineering manager in Australia, you will have to follow this route:
- Complete a Bachelor of Engineering degree (general) or with a specialisation in an engineering field of your choice.
- Gain experience through entry-level and mid-level jobs.
- Optional: complete a Master of Engineering Management degree or obtain a Graduate/Diploma Certificate in Engineering Management.
Some common skills for engineering managers include:
- Problem-solving.
- Detail-oriented.
- Delegation skills.
- Project management, etc.
Financial Investment Advisor or Manager
Average salary: $155,882
Financial investment advisors and managers are last on the list, but just as important to various industries and individuals in Australia. This job has an average annual taxable income of $155,882 and entails developing, implementing, and advising on financial plans and investment strategies for companies or individuals.
To become a financial investment advisor or manager in Australia, you will usually need to:
- Complete a relevant undergraduate degree such as a Bachelor of Economics or Bachelor of Finance.
- Obtain a license or registration from AFS (Australian Financial Services) or ASIC (Australian Security and Investment Commission).
- Optional: complete a Master of Financial Planning degree or obtain a Graduate Diploma/Certificate in Financial Planning.
As for skills, a financial investment advisor or manager should possess the following:
- Excellent communication.
- Research and analytical skills.
- Detail-oriented.
- Negotiation and business management skills, etc.
These were some of the highest-paying jobs in Australia. We hope to have satisfied your curiosity or provided some useful information if you’re searching for motivation for a specific field of study in Australia.
