in-demand jobs in australia
Labour shortages in Australia are creating more job opportunities for students. Source: Andrew Burton/Getting Images North America/ Getting Images/AFP

If moving to Australia to study and work has always been your dream, now is the perfect time to act on it. Step one? Aim to land one of the most in-demand jobs in Australia.

As the country faces labour shortages in several sectors, the list of most in-demand jobs in Australia for  2023 is a long one.

Out of the 20 largest employing occupations in the country, more than half reported that they are facing labour shortages, and the number of jobs advertised increased by 42 %.

As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are tapering off, the country is looking for ways to get its economy back on track.

The government recently announced that from July 1, it will let international students work part-time more and stay to work longer after graduation. 

International bachelor’s graduates will be allowed to stay in the country for an additional two years. PhD graduates can stay to work in Australia for up to six years after graduating.

With this new law in place and the country looking to address its many labour shortages, international students are in a great position to land a job in Australia.

To increase your chances further, focus on the five most in-demand jobs in Australia below:

in-demand jobs

As the country faces labour shortages in several sectors, including construction, the list of most in-demand jobs in Australia for  2023 is a long one. Source: Franck Fife/AFP

Five most in-demand jobs in Australia:

Construction manager

If you have a passion for building and constructing, you are in luck, as construction managers are in high demand in Australia. 

In this position, you will be in charge of planning, directing and overseeing all aspects of the building process, including designing, development and construction. 

It is one of the most sought-after professions in the industry, which means that there are many job opportunities available to graduates.

The employment of construction managers is expected to grow 8% by 2031, which is the fastest growth compared to other occupations.

The best part is that construction managers are amongst the highest paid in the country. The average salary for someone in this position is 133,596 Australian dollars annually.

Interested in becoming a construction manager?

Advance your skills by pursuing a Master of Construction Management, offered at several universities, including The University of Melbourne, The University of Adelaide, the University of New South Wales, Sydney and many more. 

Early childhood teachers 

There are over 1.3 million children across 974,600 families who are currently using early learning services.

As such, the need for qualified, skilled candidates to fill these roles is rising. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 18% increase in this area over the next decade

So if you are passionate about educating the future generation, now is the perfect time to pursue it. 

There are many opportunities for early childhood teaching, from working in a kindergarten to childcare centres. You will be responsible for nurturing their educational, social and emotional development. 

The average annual salary of an early childhood educator in Australia is A$79,353.

To qualify for this role, you must complete an accredited programme at a recognised university or higher education institution.

The University of Sydney, Central Queensland Unversity, Monash University and many more offer a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education programme. 

in-demand jobs

Nurses are short-staffed here, making it one of the most in-demand jobs in Australia. Source: Sebastien Bozon/AFP

Registered nurse

The healthcare industry in Australia is among the sectors facing labour shortages. 

The Health Workforce Australia (HWA) has predicted that at the rate things are going, the country will face a shortage of over 100,000 nurses by 2025 and more than 123,000 nurses by 2030

With the country desperately in need of nurses, now is the time to take up this opportunity to pursue nursing, as the possibility of securing a job is at its peak. 

A registered nurse works in several areas, including emergency, aged care, mental health, pediatric care and general practice.

To qualify as a registered nurse, you must complete a Bachelor of Nursing to equip yourself with the knowledge and skills needed for this role. 

The University of Technology Sydney, Griffith University and The University of Adelaide are among the top universities in Australia for nursing programmes.

The average salary of a registered nurse in Australia is A$80,555 a year. 

Civil engineer

The demand for civil engineers in Australia is at an all-time high this year. Due to the pandemic, the country faces skills shortages in the field. 

The vacancies have increased, with Queensland at 67%, New South Wales at 54%, and Victoria at 44%.

As a civil engineer in Australia, you can work in various fields, including transportation, water resources, construction and environmental engineering.  

You can work for the government, major construction companies or private firms to help maintain the country’s infrastructure. 

The average annual salary for a civil engineer in Australia is A$105,254.

If you are someone who has a passion for maths and science, is good at solving problems, and enjoys managing projects, now is the right time to apply to study in Australia.

The University of Melbourne, The University of Queensland and Melbourne Polytechnic are some of the top universities in the country for civil engineering. 

ICT business and system analysts 

A business analyst is required in almost every industry, from IT to financial services, health, retail and telecommunications.

As businesses become more technology-driven, the need to find workers to fill these roles increases.

Job openings for this role are expected to grow 27% by 2025.

Those in this industry will need to know how to find solutions to business problems, improve systems and processes and create new opportunities for success. 

The average annual salary of an ICT business analyst in Australia ranges between A$100,000 to $120,000.

To kickstart your career in this profession, you will first need to pursue a degree in business analytics. La Trobe University, Monash University and Deakin University offer excellent Bachelor of Business Analytics programmes.