Top 16 Highest Paying Jobs for Australians
Whether you’re still at school, searching for a new job due to fallout from COVID-19, or looking for a change in career path entirely, knowing the highest paying jobs in Australia might give you the push you need to pursue a particular career.
Although money shouldn’t be your only motivator for a new job, your earning potential is something worth considering as you make plans for your future.
The 16 highest paying jobs in Australia for 2022
All of the salaries noted in the below high-paying jobs are base average annual salaries, which means the workers within the occupations may be earning higher than this amount each year with bonuses and other perks.
With the high amount of skill and training required to be a medical professional or specialist, it’s no surprise that some of the highest paying jobs in Australia are in this field.
1. Anaesthetists
Average salary: $192,816 (payscale.com)
Anaesthetists are specialised medical doctors who have undertaken additional comprehensive training to administer anaesthesia to patients prior to a procedure or operation.
To practice as an Anaesthetist, you need to:
- Complete a medical degree at university, including a Bachelor’s {Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery} (4-6 years)
- Undertake an internship and residency in a hospital (2-3 years)
- Complete a Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (5-6 years)
As Anaesthetists continue to work and gain experience as internal medicine specialists, their salary will continue to rise.
2. Finance Director
Average salary: $166,068 (payscale.com)
Coming in at number two on our list is the role of a Finance Director. As the name suggests, a Finance Director is someone within a company that holds a leadership position, with a particular focus on the finances of the company.
This role may involve creating and implementing strategic plans around company finances, profit and loss reporting, managing a finance team, and financial forecasting.
There is no set pathway to become a Finance Director, but it is important to have a solid understanding of financial management, business, and accounting for the job, which may look like:
- Complete a Diploma of Business through TrainSmart Australia
- Complete a Bachelor degree in economics, finance, business, or accounting
- Complete an MBA or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam
- Take on leadership-based roles within finance teams. This experience will help to prepare you for a promotion to Finance Director after 10+ years of experience.
3. General Surgeon
Average salary: $160,000 (payscale.com)
Surgeons and medical practitioners are highly specialised doctors that work in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients who may require surgery.
They take the lead in the operating room, with expert knowledge of internal medicine, to ensure the doctors and nurses present can work as a team to care for the patient.
To be qualified as a General Surgeon, you need to:
- Complete a medical degree at university, including a Bachelor’s (4-6 years)
- Undertake an internship and residency in a hospital (2-3 years)
- Complete a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) (5-6 years)
After completing your fellowship, you may undertake training to sub-specialise in one of nine specific areas of medicine. By completing extra training, individuals can earn far more per year than the average income noted above.
4. Chief Executive Officer
Average salary: $155,631 (payscale.com)
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the most senior executive in an organisation, responsible for implementing strategies, managing day-to-day operations, and governing the organisation to meet targets and plans.
Unlike some other jobs that have a clear pathway, there isn’t a single correct way to work towards being a CEO.
To best understand the niches of running a business, most CEOs have undertaken a Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, or relevant industry, before undertaking a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
You could also start out with a Diploma of Project Management from TrainSmart Australia.
5. Senior Information Technology (IT) Project Manager
Average salary: $143,615 (payscale.com)
In a constantly evolving world that relies so heavily on technology, IT professionals have never been more important.
Senior IT Project Managers in Australia need to be quick thinking, well-organised professionals that can keep up to date with changing trends and technologies.
In particular, this high-paying job type requires people that can effectively manage the implementation and maintenance of computer systems, as well as manage other people within their team to achieve desired goals.
At TrainSmart Australia, there are a number of Diploma courses that can give you the theoretical and practical skills to work as a Senior IT Project Manager. These courses are:
1. ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology
2. ICT50220 Diploma of Information Technology (Advanced Networking)
3. BSB50820 Diploma of Project Management
6. Director of Operations
Average salary: $143,463 (payscale.com)
A Director of Operations is responsible for ensuring an organisation runs smoothly, with a focus on negotiating contracts, developing and implementing operational strategies, managing employees and their productivity, and generally ensuring each facet of the workplace is operating efficiently.
In a role like this, experience in a relevant industry – particularly in a senior leadership role – is key, as it prepares the individual with the skills and insight into a range of operational functions and processes.
A Diploma of Leadership and Management from TrainSmart Australia is a great place for individuals to hone their strategic leadership skills, with modules in topics such as marketing, business management, leadership and organisational change, managing risk, and strategic planning.
7. Python Developer
Average salary: $126,436 (payscale.com)
With a notably high annual salary and strange job title, the job of a Python Developer is worth delving into.
The term ‘Python’ refers to a specific computer programming language, so a Python Developer is someone that works within the IT space to design, code, and debug projects in the back-end of computers, websites, data analytics, and more.
Fun fact: websites like Google, Wikipedia, and Facebook all use Python.
While there is no specific career path necessary to qualify as a Python Developer, a good place to lay the foundations of your learning is with a Diploma of Information Technology from TrainSmart.
We also recommend gaining work experience as a Junior Developer so you can become more familiar with Python.
8. Psychiatrist
Average salary: $125,762 (payscale.com)
Often confused with psychologists, a Psychiatrist is a specialist medical doctor that works with patients to assess and treat mental health problems.
Psychiatrists use their expertise in psychology to understand patients’ needs, with the benefit of being able to prescribe medication to patients and admit them to a hospital if required.
To be qualified as a Psychiatrist, you need to:
- Complete a medical degree at university (4-6 years)
- Undertake an internship and residency in a public hospital system (2-3 years)
- Complete a Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP).
If you’re passionate about helping others with their mental health concerns but aren’t interested in undertaking a medical degree, you can study a Diploma of Mental Health with TrainSmart Australia to work in the healthcare industry as a Mental Health or Support Worker.
9. Senior Lawyer
Average salary: $124,759 (au.indeed.com)
Much like some of the previous highest paying jobs, which belong to a range of highly skilled professionals, internal medicine specialists, and technology-savvy individuals that have spent years training and studying, becoming a Senior Lawyer also takes a lot of study, hard work, perseverance, and time.
Senior Lawyers have generally been practising in law for at least five years or more, with their experience making them great mentors and trusted members of any organisation or law firm.
To become a Lawyer in Australia, you need to:
- Complete a Bachelor of Law (LLB) undergraduate degree or a Juris Doctor (JD) postgraduate degree (3-4 years)
- Complete Practical Legal Training (<1 year)
- Be admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court and hold a practising certificate.
- Complete supervised practice at a law firm (18-24 months)
10. Wellbeing Manager
Average salary: $123,510 (au.indeed.com)
Rather than relying on the Human Resources department to take care of ongoing employee wellbeing, more companies are employing a dedicated Wellbeing Manager, who is responsible for developing, delivering, and reporting on wellbeing strategies within the workplace.
To work as a Wellbeing Manager, there are no set qualifications required. However, a background in any of the following undergraduate degrees may be beneficial:
- Bachelor of Human Resource Management
- Bachelor of Health Science
- Bachelor of Business
With the uncertainty and fear resulting from the ongoing pandemic around the world, the role of Wellbeing Manager is worth its weight in gold.
11. System Architect
Average salary: $120,668 (payscale.com)
With workplaces and schools now so heavily reliant on the use of technology for day-to-day work, having an efficient, reliable IT network is essential to productivity.
That is where a System Architect plays a crucial role in the architecture of not just each individual computer system, but the entire network within your business.
A Systems Architect needs to know a computer system and network from the inside out, so one or multiple of the qualifications below may be favourable to employers:
- A Diploma of Information Technology (Advanced Networking) from TrainSmart Australia.
- A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Software Engineering.
- A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.
On average, it will take 3-4 years to complete the above courses, with any real-world experience in the industry beneficial to show future employers.
12. Mining Engineer
Average salary: $120,001 (payscale.com)
In Australia, Mining is the single largest sector – so it comes as no surprise that Mining Engineers and workers have made their way onto our high-paying jobs list.
Mining Engineers play a pivotal role in planning, evaluating, and overseeing the mining process – from the planning stage through to the construction and safe operation of the mine on a daily basis.
To be a qualified Engineering Manager on a mine site earning a considerable average income, individuals should have:
- A Bachelor of Engineering, majoring in mining or geotechnical engineering.
- A graduate engineering working for a mine.
Once qualified and experienced, a Graduate Mining Engineer can move up to a more senior engineering role and earn a higher income.
13. Orthodontist
Average salary: $111,903 (payscale.com)
Orthodontists and general dentists often get confused, but there is a distinct difference between the two.
A Dentist is qualified to cover a wide range of issues with your teeth, while an Orthodontist is a medical professional with specialist training in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dental problems, specifically issues with the alignment of the teeth and jaw.
To become an Orthodontist, you need to:
- Complete an Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registered general dental degree (undergraduate)
- Have the equivalent of at least two years clinical experience as a dentist.
- Complete an accredited postgraduate degree in orthodontics (Doctorate/Masters)
- Become registered as a Specialist in Orthodontics.
If you are passionate about putting a smile on the face of others, consider a rewarding career in orthodontics.
14. Cyber Security Engineer
Average salary: $95,000 (payscale.com)
We’re spending more and more time on devices such as mobile phones, laptops, and tablets, with ready access to the internet.
So it probably comes as no surprise that Cyber Security Engineers are the high-paid people working behind the scenes to defend businesses and individuals from hacking, data loss, and other threats online.
To become a Cyber Security Engineer, you need to undertake a Bachelor’s degree directly in cybersecurity or undertake an undergraduate degree in IT or computer science before doing a postgraduate course specialising in cybersecurity.
With a widespread reliance on safe access to devices and the internet, jobs in this sector are likely to experience steady growth and increased demand, so they are well worth considering as a professional occupation
15. Data Scientist
Average salary: $92,450 (payscale.com)
If you love numbers, complex problems, and analysing big data, a career as a Data Scientist might be the right one for you.
In a nutshell, Data Scientists use analytics, modelling, statistics, and computer science to analyse aspects of a business. The analysed data is then used within a business to increase revenue, better understand customers, and make decisions about how a business should operate.
To become a Data Scientist, you need to:
- Undertake a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, such as IT or mathematics.
- Undertake a postgraduate degree (Graduate Diploma or Masters) in data science.
If you’re not quite ready to head straight to university, you can study a Diploma of Information Technology over 12 months through TrainSmart Australia.
16. Commercial Pilot
Average salary: $91,713 (payscale.com)
Although the current pandemic may have had an adverse impact on our ability to travel for now, following a career in aviation can prepare you for airline travel to return to more regular levels in the coming years.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) notes there are three stages to become a Commercial Pilot:
- Learn to fly through an accredited training school;
- Obtain your recreational or private pilot licence; and
- Achieve your commercial pilot or air transport pilot licence.
Obtaining a Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Aeroplan) through a certified training school or university, along with completing a considerable number of flight hours, will put future pilots on the right flight path to becoming qualified and employed Commercial Pilots.
Work Towards Your Dream Career with TrainSmart Australia
There are many factors to consider when finding a job that is right for you, such as flexibility, company culture, income, educational opportunities, and stability.
However, how much you are compensated for your skills and work still plays a key role in any decision.
With courses across a range of industries and markets, the team at TrainSmart Australia can teach you the skills to get you into one of the high-paid professions above.
To find out more about a range of courses from one of Australia’s leading training providers, visit the TrainSmart Australia website today.
