If you are in Australia and wish to continue your studies here,  you may have planned the course you want to take up. While some students already know what they want to do, many are caught in the dilemma of the contributing factors that go into selecting a course.

These factors could be anything from the type of college or university they want to select, to the interest of the field, the big ‘WHY’ behind pursuing a certain career path, scholarship options, affordability, and so on. You could narrow down your options by knowing more about the skilled occupations that are currently trending in Australia.

The top trending skilled occupations in Australia

We’ve come up with a list of the top jobs that are most trending in Australia for 2022-23.

There are several reasons why you should continue to pursue a career in Australia after completing your studies in Australia. One of the many reasons is lifestyle, the salary and the favourable weather. 

It would be wise to check the occupations listed in the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) – mainly, Australia’s job shortage list.

The SOL list is updated on an ongoing basis by the DoHA with an existing list of over 200 occupations. The list enlists fields that are at present a shortage of experts in Australia, making it favourable for you to choose the kind of career you want to take up and leverage. If your skills are needed in the country, you will most certainly benefit from studying courses specific to those skills.

The top most occupations needed in Australia 2022-23

There are several skills required to meet the job shortages in Australia. 

• Registered Nurse Medical

There are a lot of different requirements that factor into the need for professional medical nurses. This means that Australia proves a suitable destination for any registered nurse or other medical staff looking to move to and work in a better environment. The medical industry is a growing industry coupled with the fact that there are several nurses and medical employees reaching their retirement age soon. That said, there is an ever increasing demand for nurses, giving high occupational ceilings for roles in this sector.

The healthcare industry overall has had the largest development and growth in 5 years. This growth is showing signs of shooting up in this year of 2022. The occupations in this industry which are the most in demand are nursing support, registered nurses, disabled and aged carers, personal care workers, and receptionists.

• Software Engineer and Application Programmers

Several companies rely on technology for innovation and business growth. This also means that organisations require custom software, and this requirement is met by software engineers and application programmers. At present, there is a growing and desperate need within the tech industry for software developers of various abilities. This includes those skilled in user experience, mobile and back-end design, front end and full stack developers. Almost every industry needs software to sustain their business growth. This means, a software engineer would be welcome in an organisation of any size. 

Software engineers have a flexible job role in the sense, they can work remotely, from anywhere. All they need is an internet connection to help them generate an income. The skills they need to acquire are highly transferable across countries and cultures, allowing them to travel and work for innovative companies across the globe. 

The job pays you well, which means that you can expect to make $120,000 per year if you are good at what you do. 

• Construction Project Manager

The construction industry always falls short of skilled workers, especially for technicians and trade workers such as electricians, carpenters, joiners and plumbers. It’s not surprising that these skills needed rank so highly on the most in demand list of professions. That said, there has been a demand for unskilled labourers as well. So, if you are experienced in the line of construction, you will have an easier time getting the invitation.

The QS News Ranking of 2022 has placed three Universities in Australia that offer master’s degrees in Construction Management. In the past decade, the need for construction managers has been growing, and by the year 2023, this number is expected to grow to 114,300.

• Accountant and Management Accountant

Most accountancy skilled professionals decided to remain in their existing roles when the pandemic struck in 2020. At the same time, many still maintain this mindset, further driving the candidate shortage.

In response, nearly 57 percent of accountancy and finance employers aim to increase salaries upon the next review pay. A huge demand in the commercial market are qualified accountants as skilled professionals in Australia.

Following the pandemic, there was an increased demand in financial scrutiny, which is still driving demand for those with strong technical training, experience in auditing or assurance processes and the willingness to go beyond the scope of their role and assist finance colleagues when necessary.

• Chief Executive and Managing Director

There is a growing demand for chief executives and managing directors at highly professional positions. Including the likes of those involved in accounting, IT, and other industries. Therefore, if you have the necessary and recognised qualifications in these kinds of positions, you are likely to find it easier to land a job in Australia.

• Engineers

There has been an ever increasing demand for engineers among its varied fields. This includes engineers required as skilled professionals in Australia for the fields, including civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, structural engineering, mining engineering, transport engineering, electrical engineering, petroleum engineering, and mechanical engineering.

If you are skilled in these areas, you have a higher chance of being accepted.

• Social Worker

Social workers and their skills are becoming a growing demand for jobs in Australia. It is one of the fastest growing occupations in Australia with the increase in population, inflow of migrants and social issues. The need for social workers is now crucial more than ever to address the concerns and enhance the morale of the people at the helm of society.

Selecting the right career path after studying in Australia

You must consider your reasons for choosing a particular career. Of course, as you pick a course to study, your reasons will define your level of commitment. So, ask yourself why you want to pursue a specific career among other fields.

Also, consider figuring out the future prospects of a career that you select. Once you select a specific course, you must also go beyond the curriculum and see what other skills you will need. As mentioned, your reason needs to be very strong. For instance, it’s not just the glittery or exciting part of the career that should pull your interest. Consider the prospects of the developments happening in that field. For instance, the tech industry is seeing major developments, and the future looks bright. So, you could figure your interests as a software engineer or application programmer. Likewise, there is a growing need for able management accountants.

Bear in mind the skills you’ll need to learn and build over the years to make yourself indispensable in the field. Try discussing your study options with family members, peers, colleagues, and even experienced professionals who are already in the field.

Here are a few tips you can consider while choosing a career path:

• Identify your interest – Getting career advice is easy but the first step is to identify your passions and where your interests and strengths lie. Pursuing a career in an area that you are not familiar with or have little interest in will leave you frustrated and bored.
   
• Be realistic about your goal – Interests are sometimes a fluid concept. Sometimes, your interests may not get you a high-paying job, so be mindful of what you select while you also think of future expenses.
  
  So, do your research in the following areas:
  • Will there be a fair amount of jobs that you can apply for in the chosen field?
  • Will the income be enough for the lifestyle you want to lead?
  • Does sitting in front of a computer like a nine to five job interest you, or are you more of an outdoor person?
  • If you are also looking for future growth in the career then check whether the path you select will lead you there.
  • What is the kind of work-life balance you are looking at? You may choose  flexibility of hours and location, and how significant it is for you to work in a team or solo.

Applying the above tips will help get you started until you reach a point to finally make a career choice.