What jobs pay well in Australia? This is a question that people who want to live and settle in Australia often consider. Although money is not the only motivation for job hunting, who would turn down the opportunity of getting the highest paying jobs in Australia? Australia, as a globally developed economy with a well-developed welfare system, is renowned for its high salaries and diverse job market. Nowadays, with the continuous expansion of core industries such as healthcare, finance and mining, the map of high-paying occupations has become increasingly clear. The medical industry still holds the “salary ceiling”, with annual salaries of surgeons, anesthesiologists and other occupations exceeding 400,000 Australian dollars. A number of popular positions with annual salaries exceeding 200,000 Australian dollars have also emerged in the fields of finance, engineering and technology. This article will conduct an in-depth analysis of 10 highest paid jobs in Australia in 2025, and also explore high-paying occupations for women and best paying paths without a degree, providing authoritative references for job seekers.
10 Highest Paying Jobs in Australia 2025
| 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Australia | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary |
| Surgeon | AU$472,475 |
| Anesthesiologist | AU$447,193 |
| Financial Trader | AU$355,233 |
| Internal Medicine Expert | AU$342,457 |
| Psychiatrist | AU$286,146 |
| Mining Engineer | AU$206,423 |
| Judges and Top Lawyers | AU$206,408 |
| CEO/ General Manager | AU$194,987 |
| Financial Investment Manager | AU$191,986 |
| Engineering Manager | AU$185,785 |
1. Surgeon
Occupational Profile: Surgeons are the top paying jobs in Australia, responsible for various surgical operations (such as cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, etc.), preoperative and postoperative care of patients, and diagnosis of complex cases, directly bearing the core responsibility for patients’ life safety.
Average Annual Salary: AU$472,475
Qualification Requirements:
- Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree, 4 years of medical university, and 3 to 6 years of residency training, with a total duration of 8 to 12 years.
- They must also be certified and registered by the Australian Medical Council (AMC).
- Perform surgeries (such as cardiac, neurological, orthopedic, etc.)
- Formulate treatment plans
- Guide medical teams
- Participate in medical research
2. Anesthesiologist
Occupational Profile: Anesthesiologist, another best paying jobs in australia, is an indispensable core role in the operating room, responsible for patient anesthesia management and vital sign monitoring during surgery to ensure the safe progress of the operation. Anesthesiologists need to closely collaborate with surgeons to assess the anesthesia risks of patients and formulate response plans.
Average Annual Salary: AU$447,193
Qualification Requirements:
- Medical degree (MBBS or equivalent) +5 years of specialized anesthesiology training (including residency);
- Registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Authority (AHPRA) is required.
- It is necessary to have the emergency response capability to handle complications of anesthesia.
- Preoperative assessment of the patient’s anesthesia tolerance
- Selection of anesthetic drugs and dosages
- Real-time monitoring of heart rate/blood pressure/blood oxygen saturation during the operation
- Postoperative analgesia management
- Participate in emergency and obstetric anesthesia
3. Financial Trader
Occupational Profile: Engaged in trading of financial products such as foreign exchange, stocks, futures, and derivatives, making quick decisions in highly volatile markets, and achieving asset appreciation for financial institutions or private clients. The fact that financial traders can become one of the highest earning jobs Australia is essentially the combined result of “risk pricing + skill scarcity + performance sharing”: they create profits for institutions by taking on market fluctuation risks and applying professional skills, and earn salary premiums through high turnover rates and high-intensity work. In Australia’s mature financial system, especially in the two major financial centers of Sydney and Melbourne, this profession is both a “wealth-creating machine” and an ultimate test of professional skills and stress resistance.
Average Annual Salary: AU$355,233
Qualification Requirements:
- A compound background in finance, mathematics and computer science
- Familiar with quantitative analysis tools (such as Python, R);
- The four major banks in Australia and international investment banks usually require the RG146 Financial Professional Qualification Certificate (which needs to be passed in English and covers contents such as financial markets and risk management).
- Analyze macroeconomic data and market trends
- Execute trading instructions
- Manage positions and risk exposure
- Optimize the trading algorithm
- Write transaction reports and report performance to clients or superiors
4. Internal Medicine Expert
Occupational Profile: Focusing on chronic disease management and diagnosis of difficult and complicated diseases (such as heart disease, diabetes, respiratory diseases, etc.), it does not require surgery but needs long-term tracking of patients’ health conditions. It is the “medical advisor” of general hospitals.
Average Annual Salary: AU$342,457
Qualification Requirements:
- Medical degree + internal medicine residency (3-4 years) + specialist certification (such as the FRACP qualification from the Royal Australian College of Physicians)
- Diagnose complex diseases
- Formulate a long-term treatment plan
- Interpret medical images (such as CT, MRI) and laboratory reports
- Guide general practitioners
- Participate in multidisciplinary consultations (such as in the oncology team)
5. Psychiatrist
Occupational Profile: Treating mental disorders (such as depression, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia), improving patients’ mental health through medication, psychological intervention, and social support. As mental health issues in Australia intensify, the demand for psychiatrists is growing at an annual rate of over 8%, which is one of the reasons why this position has long remained among the 10 highest paid professions in Australia.
Average Annual Salary: AU$286,146
Qualification Requirements:
- Medical degree + Psychiatry training (5 years, including rotation in child/adult psychiatry) +AHPRA registration
- It is necessary to have the ability of psychological counseling and communication
- Assess the patient’s mental state
- Prescribe drugs
- Provide cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Collaborate with the community mental health team
- Write a mental health assessment report
6. Mining Engineer
Occupational Profile: Relying on Australia’s mineral resource advantages (such as iron ore, lithium and coal), mining engineers have also made it onto the top 10 list of highest salary jobs in Australia. This occupation is mainly responsible for mining area exploration, mine design, production management and safety assessment. Western Australia and Queensland mining areas often offer “high salaries + housing subsidies + overseas project opportunities” to retain talents.
Average Annual Salary: AU$206,423
Qualification Requirements:
- Mining engineering, geological engineering or related degrees
- Passed the Engineer Australia (EA) professional assessment
- Familiar with digital management tools for mines (such as MineSched and AutoCAD)
- Formulate mining plans (open-pit/underground mining)
- Supervise the operation of mines
- Optimize resource recovery rate
- Ensure environmental compliance (such as wastewater treatment)
- Manage the safety risks of mines
7. Judges and Top Lawyers
Occupational Profile: Judges are responsible for hearing civil, criminal or commercial cases and making legal judgments. Top lawyers (such as barristers) who focus on high-end legal services (such as mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, cross-border disputes) and charge by the hour (up to AU$1,000 per hour) are regarded as one of the most well paid jobs in Australia.
Average Annual Salary: AU$206,408
Qualification Requirements:
- Law degree (LLB or JD) + Lawyer’s practice qualification (Practical Legal Training required)
- Judges must have at least 10 years of legal experience and be appointed by the government
- Judge: Preside over court hearings, interpret legal provisions, guide juries, make judgments and write reasons;
- Lawyer: Provide legal consultation, draft legal documents, represent clients in court, and negotiate settlement agreements
8. CEO/ General Manager
Occupational Profile: Be responsible for the overall operation of the enterprise, formulate strategic goals, manage the team, and control financial performance. Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (accounting for over 95%) have a strong demand for local talents with cross-cultural management capabilities, and the entry threshold is relatively low. After accumulating 2 to 3 years of industry experience, international students can enter this relatively low-threshold but best paid jobs in Australia through internal promotion.
Average Annual Salary: AU$194,987
Qualification Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or above (MBA preferred)
- More than 10 years of industry experience (including 5 years of management experience);
- It is necessary to possess strategic planning, financial analysis, team leadership and crisis management capabilities
- Formulate business plans and budgets
- Approve major investment decisions
- Appoint and remove senior executives
- Maintain the relationship between shareholders and stakeholders
- Promote enterprise innovation and digital transformation
9. Financial Investment Manager
Occupational Profile: Manage investment portfolios for institutions or high-net-worth clients, involving diversified asset allocation such as stocks, bonds, funds, and real estate, with the goal of achieving long-term returns while controlling risks.
Average Annual Salary: AU$191,986
Qualification Requirements:
- Degree in Finance/Economics
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) or FRM (Financial Risk Manager) certification is preferred.
- Familiar with investment analysis tools (such as Bloomberg, Morningstar)
- Assess the client’s risk tolerance
- Design personalized investment strategies
- Execute trading instructions
- Track market dynamics and asset performance
- Regularly report investment returns and adjustment suggestions to clients
10. Engineering Manager
Occupational Profile: Coordinating the entire process of engineering projects, including design, construction, cost control and delivery, is commonly seen in infrastructure (such as highways and Bridges), energy (such as photovoltaic and wind power), and manufacturing. The infrastructure boom in Australia has driven up the demand for engineering managers and made this profession one of the highest paying jobs in AUS.
Average Annual Salary: AU$185,785
Qualification Requirements:
- Relevant degrees such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering
- PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification
- More than 5 years of engineering experience (including 2 years of management experience)
- Formulate project plans and schedules
- Coordinate cross-departmental teams (such as designers, construction teams, and supervisors)
- Monitor the project budget and quality
- Solve technical problems
- Ensure that the project complies with safety and environmental protection regulations
- Ensure the compliant delivery of the project
Highest Paying Jobs in Australia for Females
In the Australian workplace, women hold significant positions in fields such as healthcare, education, and finance. The following are the most high-paying jobs in Australia suitable for women:
1. Registered Nurse
Average Annual Salary: AU$79,550 – AU$97,568
Professional Advantages:
- The proportion of women in the nursing industry exceeds 70%, and the demand is strong (it is estimated that the shortage of nurses will reach 100,000 by 2030).
- Positions in remote areas can earn immigration bonus points (such as the 491 visa).
- Flexible working hours (such as part-time or shift work).
- Daily patient care (such as medication administration, wound treatment)
- Monitor vital signs
- Assist doctors in diagnosis and treatment
- Health education (such as diabetes management)
- Record medical archives
2. CPA/ Tax Accountant
Average Annual Salary: AU$70,000 – AU$90,000
Professional Advantages:
- The proportion of women in the accounting industry is 52%, which is higher than the industry average (48%).
- Accountants in the mining, government and defense sectors enjoy leading salaries. (CPA/ tax accountant is indeed one of the highest paying professions in Australia for female in terms of working environment and salary level.)
- Work-life balance can be achieved through remote working
- Preparation of financial statements
- Tax declaration (for individuals/Enterprises)
- Budget analysis
- Cost control
- Audit support
- Provide tax planning advice
3. Preschool Teacher
Average Annual Salary: AU$65,000 – AU$85,000
Professional Advantages:
- Preschool teacher is a women-dominated profession, with women accounting for over 80%. It is a suitable and nice career that pays well in Australia for women.
- The federal government plans to increase early childhood educators’ salaries by 15% (with a weekly increase of 249 Australian dollars starting from December 2025).
- There is a shortage of preschool teacher across Australia. Positions in remote areas can earn bonus points for immigration.
- Design early education courses (such as cognitive and social skills development)
- Organize games and activities
- Evaluate the development level of children
- Communicate with parents
- Maintain classroom security
4. Medical Practitioner (Occupational Therapist/Optometrist)
Average Annual Salary: AU$80,000 – AU$120,000
Professional Advantages:
- The Medical practitioner can be said to be a female-friendly position in the medical field and also a high income job in Australia.
- For instance, occupational therapists who help patients regain their ability to live independently (such as in stroke rehabilitation) have a high demand and a stable working environment.
- Optometrists can open their own clinics independently, offering high flexibility.
- Occupational therapist: Assess patients’ functional impairments, formulate rehabilitation plans, and guide the use of assistive devices (such as wheelchairs and prosthetic limbs);
- Optometrist: Eye examination, prescribing glasses/contact lenses, screening for eye diseases (such as glaucoma).
5. Psychological Counselor
Average Annual Salary: AU$75,000 – AU$100,000
Professional Advantages:
- Women have strong empathy and are suitable for the field of mental health.
- As society pays more attention to psychological issues (such as adolescent depression and workplace stress), the demand is increasing by 10% annually.
- One can work part-time or open a private clinic.
- Individual/group psychological counseling
- Psychological assessment (such as using the MMPI scale)
- Crisis intervention (such as suicide prevention)
- Mental health education (such as school and enterprise lectures)
Highest Paying Jobs in Australia Without A Degree
Australia is also a highly inclusive city in terms of employment. Even without a bachelor’s degree or above, one can still enter the following highest paying jobs in Australia through vocational training or short-term certificate courses:
1. Loan Manager
Average Annual Salary: AU$133,903
Qualification Requirements:
- Certificate IV in Credit Management
- It can be obtained through five months of online part-time study without a university degree.
- Basic mathematical and communication skills are required
- Connect the loan demands of banks and customers
- Evaluate the borrower’s credit record and repayment ability
- Formulate financing plans (such as mortgage loans, car loans)
- Track the progress of loan disbursement
- Assist customers in resolving repayment difficulties
2. Architectural Certification Engineer
Average Annual Salary: AU$114,317
Qualification Requirements:
- Certificates related to Building supervision (such as Certificate IV in Building and Construction)
- 3-5 years of experience in the construction industry (such as carpentry, construction team leader)
- Familiarity with Australian building regulations (such as NCC) is required
- Review the compliance of architectural drawings
- Inspect the construction quality (such as structural safety and fire protection standards)
- Issue building permits
- Resolve disputes between the property owner and the construction party
- Submit the government regulatory report
3. Mining Operator
Average Annual Salary: AU$113,982
Qualification Requirements:
- Mining safety training (such as MSHA certification)
- Heavy machinery operating license (such as Heavey Rigid licence, Abbreviation HR licence)
- No academic qualifications are required but physical endurance is needed. One of the hard but top earning jobs in Australia without a degree.
- Some positions require the FIFO (Fly-In, Fly-Out) mode
- Operating mining equipment (such as loaders, dump trucks, drill rigs)
- Daily equipment maintenance
- Collect ore samples
- Comply with the safety regulations of the mining area (such as the safety distance for blasting operations)
4. Refrigeration Technician
Average Annual Salary: AU$103,755
Qualification Requirements:
- Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
- 2 years of apprenticeship experience (under the guidance of a senior technician);
- Hold refrigerant handling licence
- Installation/maintenance of commercial refrigeration systems (such as supermarket freezers, cold storage)
- Detect faults (such as leakage, circuit problems)
- Replace parts
- Ensure that the equipment complies with environmental protection standards (such as ozone protection)
5. Construction Supervision
Average Annual Salary: AU$106,840
Qualification Requirements:
- Building Management Certificate (such as Certificate IV in Building Supervision)
- 5 years of experience in the construction industry (such as construction management, carpentry);
- Familiarity with project management software (such as Procore) is required.
- Supervise the construction progress and quality
- Coordinate with subcontractors (such as electricians and plumbers)
- Manage construction site safety (such as scaffolding inspection)
- Report the progress of the project to the owner
- Control project cost overruns
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Conclusion About Highest Paying Jobs in Australia
Highest paying jobs in Australia feature a dual-track system of “high threshold + high responsibility” and “technology + experience”: Traditional occupations such as healthcare and law rely on long-term educational investment, while occupations like financial traders and mining engineers require a combination of technology and industry dividends. Women have significant advantages in fields such as nursing, accounting, and education. Positions that do not require academic qualifications, such as loan managers and construction certification engineers, also offer opportunities for skilled talents. No matter which path is chosen, continuous learning (such as RG146, EA certification) and accumulating local experience are both key. It is recommended that job seekers, in light of your own backgrounds, target growth sectors such as healthcare, new energy, and digital transformation to achieve dual career and income growth.
FAQs on Highest Paying Jobs in Australia
What is the highest paid work in Australia?
The highest paid work in Australia is consistently Surgeons, followed by anaesthetists, internal medicine expert and psychiatrists in medical fields. Financial trader in financial fields is also one of the best paid jobs in AUS.
What are the top 10 highest paying jobs in Australia?
Top 10 highest paying jobs in Australia are Surgeon, Anesthesiologist, Financial Trader, Internal Medicine Expert, Psychiatrist, Mining Engineer, Judges and Top Lawyers, CEO/ General Manager, Financial Investment Manager, and Engineering Manager.
How much does the average Australian earn?
The average annual earnings for the Australian full-time worker is around AU$102,741, or calcluate as average weekly earnings to about AU$1,975.80. While, the median annual earnings approximately reach to AU$67,600. Average income is more affected by high income than median income. However, if the average annual salary of a certain position still far exceeds the overall average annual salary in Australia, it is obvious that this job must be among the best paying jobs in Australia. If one wants to understand the median salary level of Australian workers, it is more appropriate to compare the median salary.
Is $50 an hour good in Australia?
Yes, AU$50 per hour is a very good wage in Australia for a full-time worker. Suppose you work 38 hours a week, AU$50 per hour means you can earn AU$98,800 a year, much greater than the median annual earnings, AU$67,600. So, if you are a full-time worker in AUS and can earn AU$50 an hour, you are considered to get a high income job in Australia.
