Top In-Demand Occupations in Australia for UK Professionals

Australia is a preferred overseas career destination for skilled workers who want to advance their careers. Its strong economy, good living standards, and open immigration laws make it appealing to professionals in different fields. Australia needs talented people in important jobs in industries that are growing, such as healthcare and IT. International professionals can avail of these perks by receiving an Australian work visa.

• Australia's economy is predicted to have 1.2 million new jobs by 2026.
• Due to the thriving of the tech sector, IT jobs should go up by 10% each year.
• With more older people, there will be a 15% rise in the need for healthcare workers.
• As more buildings are built, skilled trades like electricians and plumbers will grow by 8%.
• Australia's financial sector is getting bigger too, which means more chances for financial analysts and accountants.

*Want guidance to apply for Australia Work Visa? Let Y-Axis guide you with the process.

Why Work in Australia?

Australia is well-regarded for its many job options and good living conditions, drawing a lot of professionals because of its stable economy, good pay, and many social benefits.

• Good salaries can be found in areas like IT, engineering, and healthcare.
• There are helpful social benefits, such as healthcare, retirement savings, and paid time off.
• Australia offers healthy balance work and life because of flexible hours and a real concern for worker well-being.
• Cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane provide a great quality of life.
• Skilled workers can apply for Australia PR or permanent residency.

Most In-Demand Occupations in Australia 

Australia continues to prioritize occupations across multiple sectors facing critical skill shortages. This section combines high-demand roles, salary benchmarks, and estimated vacancy ceilings based on data from government sources and recruitment reports.

Sector	Key Occupations
Healthcare & Aged Care	Registered Nurses, General Practitioners, Midwives, Physiotherapists, Allied Health Workers
IT & Digital Tech	Software Developers, Cybersecurity Analysts, Data Scientists, Cloud & AI Engineers, Business Analysts
Engineering & Construction	Civil, Electrical, Mechanical Engineers; Construction Managers; Quantity Surveyors; Electricians; Carpenters; Plumbers
Trades & Technicians	Welders, HVAC Technicians, Mechanics, Metal Fitters, Chefs
Education & Social Services	Early Childhood Educators, Primary/Secondary Teachers, Social Workers, Vocational Lecturers
Logistics & Supply Chain	Supply Chain Managers, Truck Drivers, Warehouse Managers, Freight Coordinators
Finance & Professional Services	Accountants, Financial Analysts, Compliance Officers, Business Consultants, Solicitors

What salary can international migrants expect for these jobs in Australia?

Given below is a detailed overview of the top occupations in Australia along with the average salaries that skilled professionals can expect:

Occupation	Avg Annual Salary (AUD)
Registered Nurse	$85,000 – $95,000
Software Engineer/Developer	$105,000 – $125,000
Electrician	$75,000 – $100,000+
Data Engineer	$98,000
Civil / Mechanical Engineer	$90,000 – $130,000
HVAC Technician	$70,000 – $95,000
Project Manager (Construction)	$100,000 – $140,000
Early Childhood Educator	$55,000 – $75,000
Truck Driver / Logistics Supervisor	$70,000 – $110,000
Accountant / Financial Analyst	$75,000 – $110,000

Healthcare Sector

Australia's healthcare field is quickly growing because the population is aging and more people need medical care.

Job Role	Average Annual Salary (AUD)
Specialist Doctor	AUD 200,000 – AUD 350,000
General Practitioner	AUD 120,000 – AUD 220,000
Registered Nurse	AUD 70,000 – AUD 95,000
Pharmacist	AUD 80,000 – AUD 110,000
Physiotherapist	AUD 70,000 – AUD 100,000
Medical Laboratory Technician	AUD 50,000 – AUD 80,000
Radiologist	AUD 150,000 – AUD 250,000
Healthcare Manager	AUD 100,000 – AUD 150,000
Occupational Therapist	AUD 70,000 – AUD 95,000
Aged Care Worker	AUD 40,000 – AUD 60,000

Information Technology (IT)

The tech industry in Australia is still growing, so there's a big need for software developers, cybersecurity experts, and data scientists.

Job Role	Average Annual Salary (AUD)
Software Developer	AUD 80,000 – AUD 120,000
Data Scientist	AUD 85,000 – AUD 130,000
Cybersecurity Specialist	AUD 90,000 – AUD 150,000
Cloud Engineer	AUD 95,000 – AUD 140,000
AI Engineer	AUD 100,000 – AUD 160,000
IT Project Manager	AUD 95,000 – AUD 130,000
Network Engineer	AUD 70,000 – AUD 100,000
Business Intelligence Analyst	AUD 80,000 – AUD 120,000
UX/UI Designer	AUD 75,000 – AUD 110,000
DevOps Engineer	AUD 85,000 – AUD 125,000

Engineering

Engineering experts, especially in civil, mechanical, and electrical fields, are needed now because of the emphasis on infrastructure and renewable energy projects.

Job Role	Average Annual Salary (AUD)
Civil Engineer	AUD 75,000 – AUD 105,000
Mechanical Engineer	AUD 70,000 – AUD 100,000
Electrical Engineer	AUD 80,000 – AUD 110,000
Project Manager (Construction)	AUD 100,000 – AUD 150,000
Architect	AUD 80,000 – AUD 120,000
Structural Engineer	AUD 80,000 – AUD 110,000
Quantity Surveyor	AUD 60,000 – AUD 90,000
HVAC Engineer	AUD 70,000 – AUD 100,000
Building Services Engineer	AUD 75,000 – AUD 100,000
Construction Manager	AUD 95,000 – AUD 150,000

Skilled Trades

Australia's skilled trades are doing well, especially in electricity, plumbing, and building.

Job Role	Average Annual Salary (AUD)
Electrician	AUD 50,000 – AUD 80,000
Plumber	AUD 45,000 – AUD 70,000
Welder	AUD 45,000 – AUD 70,000
HVAC Technician	AUD 50,000 – AUD 75,000
Mechanic	AUD 45,000 – AUD 70,000
Carpenter	AUD 50,000 – AUD 75,000
Heavy Equipment Operator	AUD 55,000 – AUD 80,000
Construction Laborer	AUD 40,000 – AUD 60,000
Painter	AUD 40,000 – AUD 60,000
CNC Machine Operator	AUD 50,000 – AUD 75,000

Finance and Accounting

Australia's financial services are still expanding, so there's a need for financial analysts, auditors, and investment bankers.

Job Role	Average Annual Salary (AUD)
Financial Analyst	AUD 60,000 – AUD 90,000
Chartered Accountant	AUD 70,000 – AUD 100,000
Investment Banker	AUD 80,000 – AUD 130,000
Tax Consultant	AUD 60,000 – AUD 90,000
Auditor	AUD 50,000 – AUD 80,000
Risk Manager	AUD 80,000 – AUD 120,000
Financial Planner	AUD 65,000 – AUD 90,000
Credit Analyst	AUD 50,000 – AUD 80,000
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)	AUD 120,000 – AUD 200,000
Treasury Manager	AUD 75,000 – AUD 110,000

Education and Teaching

Australia's education field is growing, creating openings for teachers at the primary, secondary, and vocational levels.

Job Role	Average Annual Salary (AUD)
Primary School Teacher	AUD 45,000 – AUD 70,000
Secondary School Teacher	AUD 50,000 – AUD 75,000
ESL Teacher	AUD 45,000 – AUD 65,000
University Lecturer	AUD 75,000 – AUD 120,000
Academic Advisor	AUD 50,000 – AUD 75,000
Vocational Trainer	AUD 55,000 – AUD 80,000
Special Education Teacher	AUD 45,000 – AUD 70,000
School Administrator	AUD 60,000 – AUD 90,000
Curriculum Designer	AUD 55,000 – AUD 80,000
Teaching Assistant	AUD 30,000 – AUD 45,000

Australia Work Visa Options for UK Professionals

There are various Australia work visa options for UK professionals, including:

• Skilled Migration Visa (Subclass 189, 190, 491)
• Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)
• Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (Subclass 187)
• Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

Skilled Migration Visa (Subclass 189, 190, 491)

The Skilled Migration visas (subclasses 189, 190, and 491) let skilled workers get permanent residency in Australia. They're part of the country's General Skilled Migration program, which brings in skilled people to fill job gaps and help the economy. Each one has different requirements and advantages.

Detailed information about the subclasses of this visa type is given below.

Visa Type	Details
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)	This visa is based on a points system. Skilled workers can live and work in Australia permanently without a sponsor from an employer or a state/territory government.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)	This visa lets you become a permanent resident, but you need to be nominated by a state or territory government. A nomination gives you 5 extra points toward your score.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)	This is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers to live, work, and study in certain regional areas of Australia for 5 years. Afterward, you can apply for permanent residency (Subclass 191).

Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186) grants Permanent Residency in Australia to skilled workers sponsored by an Australian company. This program addresses key skill gaps by allowing people to live and work in Australia for the long term. There are three paths to this visa:

• Direct Entry
• Temporary Residence Transition
• Labour Agreement

Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)

The TSS visa (subclass 482) lets Australian businesses bring in skilled people from other countries if they can't find qualified Australian workers. It helps industries that lack certain skills. There are three types of this visa: Short-Term, Medium-Term, and Labour Agreement, and each has its own rules and time frame.

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (Subclass 187)

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (Subclass 187) used to be a permanent visa option for skilled workers who had an employer sponsor in regional Australia. It gave these workers the opportunity to live and work in specific regional areas, with a path to permanent residency and maybe even citizenship. Now, the RSMS visa is gone, replaced by the Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) visa. But, some people can still apply under the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the old 187 visa.

Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)

The Australian Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) is a short-term visa that lets young adults between 18 to 30 years old from certain countries travel and work in Australia for up to a year. It gives them a chance to earn money while they travel, but they can only work for one employer for six months.

Eligibility Criteria for Australia Work Visas

The eligibility criteria for Australian work visas are given below,

• A job offer from an Australian employer in an occupation that qualifies.
• A skills evaluation for your job.
• You must be able to show you are proficient in English (usually with an IELTS or TOEFL score).
• You must meet the age requirements (usually 18-45 years old).
• Proof that you have enough fund to support yourself while you are in Australia.

Required Documents for Australia Work Visa

To apply for an Australian work visa, the following documents are required.

• A passport that will not expire for at least six months.
• A job offer from an Australian company.
• Documents that show your education and work history.
• Proof that you can speak English well (like IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE scores).
• Medical checkups and a police report (if asked for).
• The visa application form and proof that you paid the fee.

Australia Work Visa Application Process

The process to apply for an Australian work visa is given below.

Step 1: Get a job offer from an Australian company, or see if you can apply for skilled migration.
Step 2:  Make sure you meet the requirements for your job, age, education, and language skills.
Step 3: Collect the documents you'll need, like proof of your education, job history, and language abilities.
Step 4: Send in your visa application through the Department of Home Affairs or the right immigration channels.
Step 5: Wait for your visa to be approved, then get your work visa and information on how to enter Australia.

Australia Work Visa Processing Time

Detailed information about the processing time for Australia work visa is given below.

Visa Type	Estimated Processing Time
Skilled Migration Visa (Subclass 189)	6 to 12 months
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa	6 to 9 months
Temporary Skill Shortage Visa	2 to 6 months
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme	6 to 12 months
Working Holiday Visa	1 to 3 months

Cost of Australia Work Visa

Detailed information about the application cost of Australia work visa is given below.

Visa Type	Estimated Application Fee (AUD)
Skilled Migration Visa (Subclass 189)	$4,240
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa	$4,240
Temporary Skill Shortage Visa	$1,290 – $2,645
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme	$4,240
Working Holiday Visa	$495

Benefits of Working in Australia

The benefits of working in Australia are given below.

• Good pay and benefits compared to other countries.
• Healthcare and social security are included.
• Lots of vacation, sick days, and parental leave.
• Options for permanent residency and, after that, citizenship.
• A high quality of life, with great things to do and a good work-life balance.

Emerging & Green Job Roles in Australia

As Australia accelerates its digital and environmental transformation, several new specialist occupations have been added to the skilled migration lists. These roles are increasingly prioritized under skills-based visa pathways to support the country’s long-term sustainability and innovation goals.

Professionals with expertise in emerging technologies and clean energy are now in higher demand than ever. These roles are vital to driving Australia’s transition towards a greener economy and advanced digital infrastructure.

In-Demand Emerging & Green Occupations:

• AI / Machine Learning Engineer

Contributing to smart automation, data innovation, and national AI strategy.

• Quantum Computing Engineer

Supporting research and development in next-generation computing solutions.

• Renewable Energy Engineer

Leading solar, wind, and battery infrastructure projects.

• Green Hydrogen Technician

Specialising in the design and operation of hydrogen-based clean energy systems.

• Climate Change Analyst

Supporting policy development, risk assessment, and environmental strategy.

Note: These roles are now recognised under skilled migration programs such as the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189), State/Territory Nomination (subclass 190/491), and Global Talent Visa streams.

How-To Guide for Job Seekers: Step-by-Step Application Process

You can follow these steps to apply for a job and migrate to Australia through skilled pathways:

Step 1: Check if Your Occupation is in Demand

Review the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) on the official Australian Department of Home Affairs website to see if your profession is eligible.

Step 2: Get a Skills Assessment

Have your qualifications and experience assessed by the relevant assessing authority (e.g., Engineers Australia, ACS, ANMAC).

Step 3: Take an English Language Test

Meet the minimum language requirements (IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL) as required for your visa type.

Step 4: Calculate Your Points Score

Use the points calculator to ensure you meet the eligibility threshold (usually 65 points or higher) for General Skilled Migration (GSM).

Step 5: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Create a profile on SkillSelect and submit an EOI, detailing your qualifications, work experience, and language proficiency.

Step 6: Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If selected, you will receive an ITA for a visa (e.g., subclass 189, 190, or 491).

Step 7: Lodge Your Visa Application

Submit your visa application through ImmiAccount, attach required documents, and pay the relevant visa fees.

Step 8: Health and Character Checks

Complete police clearance and undergo a medical examination with approved panel physicians.

Step 9: Await Visa Decision

Processing time varies by visa type. Monitor your ImmiAccount for updates and correspondence.

Step 10: Move to Australia and Begin Your New Role

Once approved, make travel arrangements and begin your job and settlement journey in Australia.

Tips for UK-Based Applicants

• Start your visa application early because processing can take months.
• Customize your CV to Australian standards and show off your skills.
• Check out the job market in your field to know the demand and expected salary.
• Keep up with the latest visa news and rules.
• Consider using a migration agent to make your visa application easier.

How Can Y-Axis Help You?

Y-Axis assists UK professionals seeking work in Australia by providing:

• Help filing visa applications for Skilled Worker, Employer Nomination, and other visa types.
• Job search guidance for those in high-demand fields such as IT, engineering, and healthcare.
• Resume improvements to meet Australian job market standards.
• Support after arrival for relocation and settling-in needs.