TL;DR — Highest Paying Jobs in Australia for International Graduates
The median graduate starting salary in Australia is AUD 75,000 across all fields (QILT 2024). Engineering graduates earn the highest at AUD 80,000, followed by teaching (AUD 78,800) and IT (AUD 75,300). With experience, salaries in fields like software engineering, mining, finance, and healthcare can reach AUD 150,000–300,000+. Many of the highest-paying occupations are also on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List, offering a pathway to permanent residency.
Australia consistently ranks among the highest-paying countries for graduates globally. The full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings reached AUD 2,051.10 per week (approximately AUD 106,657 per year) as of November 2025, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
For international graduates specifically, starting salaries are strong relative to other countries, and Australia’s post-study work visa (Subclass 485) gives you two to four years to build your career and earning potential before needing to secure sponsorship or a PR pathway.
Source: ABS Cat. 6302.0 — Average Weekly Earnings, Australia (abs.gov.au).
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey tracks employment and salary outcomes for Australian university graduates four to six months after completion.
| Field of Study | Median Salary (AUD/yr) | PR Eligible? |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering | $80,000 | Yes (MLTSSL) |
| Teaching / Education | $78,800 | Yes (MLTSSL) |
| IT / Computing | $75,300 | Yes (MLTSSL) |
| Science & Mathematics | $72,400 | Some roles (MLTSSL) |
| Nursing | $72,000 | Yes (MLTSSL) |
| Business & Management | $72,000 | Accounting yes (MLTSSL) |
| All fields median | $75,000 |
Source: QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024 — qilt.edu.au.
These figures represent median salaries for all graduates (domestic and international combined). International graduates in the same roles earn the same pay — Australian workplace law prohibits pay discrimination based on visa status or nationality.
Beyond graduate starting salaries, these are the occupations that offer the highest earning potential for international graduates who build careers in Australia.
| # | Occupation | Salary Range (AUD/yr) | On MLTSSL? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgeon / Medical Specialist | $300,000–$600,000+ | Yes |
| 2 | Psychiatrist | $200,000–$400,000 | Yes |
| 3 | Mining Engineer | $150,000–$250,000 | Yes |
| 4 | ICT Manager / IT Director | $160,000–$250,000 | Yes |
| 5 | Financial Manager | $140,000–$250,000 | Yes |
| 6 | Software Engineer (Senior) | $130,000–$200,000 | Yes |
| 7 | Petroleum Engineer | $130,000–$200,000 | Yes |
| 8 | Dentist | $120,000–$200,000 | Yes |
| 9 | Data Scientist / AI Specialist | $120,000–$180,000 | Yes |
| 10 | Civil / Structural Engineer | $100,000–$160,000 | Yes |
Sources: Hays Salary Guide FY26/27; ABS occupation data. Ranges reflect experience from mid-career to senior level.
Note that medical specialist roles (1–2) require additional Australian training and registration beyond a university degree. Engineering, IT, and finance roles are more directly accessible to international graduates with the right qualifications and skills assessment.
One of the biggest advantages of studying in Australia is that many of the highest-paying occupations are also on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), making them eligible for permanent residency through the Subclass 189, 190, or 491 visa pathways.
| Career Path | ANZSCO Codes | Assessment Body | Grad Salary → Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 261313 | ACS | $75K → $200K |
| Civil Engineer | 233211 | Engineers Australia | $80K → $160K |
| Registered Nurse | 254499 | ANMAC | $72K → $110K |
| Accountant | 221111 | CPA / CA ANZ | $65K → $150K |
| Secondary Teacher | 241411 | AITSL | $79K → $120K |
| Electrical Engineer | 233311 | Engineers Australia | $80K → $170K |
| ICT Business Analyst | 261111 | ACS | $70K → $160K |
| Mechanical Engineer | 233512 | Engineers Australia | $78K → $160K |
Source: Department of Home Affairs — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au (Skilled Occupation List, ANZSCO codes).
Strategic insight: When choosing your course in Australia, consider both the starting salary and the long-term earning potential combined with PR eligibility. A nursing graduate may start at AUD 72,000 (lower than engineering), but nursing has one of the fastest and most certain PR pathways due to high demand and low competition in SkillSelect.
Australian salaries grow significantly with experience. The difference between a graduate salary and a mid-career salary is typically 35–50 per cent, with further growth at the senior level.
| Experience Level | Typical Salary Range (AUD/yr) | Multiplier vs. Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate (0–1 year) | $65,000–$80,000 | 1.0x |
| Early career (2–4 years) | $80,000–$100,000 | 1.2–1.4x |
| Mid-career (5–7 years) | $100,000–$130,000 | 1.4–1.7x |
| Senior (10+ years) | $120,000–$180,000+ | 1.7–2.5x |
Sources: QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024; Hays Salary Guide FY26/27.
Fields with the steepest salary growth include IT and software engineering (where senior developers and architects can earn 2.5–3x their graduate salary), mining and resources engineering, and finance/financial management. Healthcare also sees strong growth, but the trajectory depends on specialisation and additional qualifications.
Where you work in Australia significantly affects your earning potential. However, higher salaries in major cities must be weighed against higher living costs.
| State/Territory | Avg Weekly Earnings (AUD) | Approx Annual (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| ACT (Canberra) | $2,249 | ~$116,900 |
| WA (Perth) | $2,189 | ~$113,800 |
| NSW (Sydney) | $2,087 | ~$108,500 |
| National average | $2,051 | ~$106,700 |
| VIC (Melbourne) | ~$2,000 | ~$104,000 |
| QLD (Brisbane) | ~$1,950 | ~$101,400 |
| SA / TAS | ~$1,800–$1,850 | ~$93,600–$96,200 |
Source: ABS Cat. 6302.0 — Average Weekly Earnings, Australia, November 2025 (abs.gov.au).
Key insight: Western Australia and the ACT consistently pay above the national average, driven by mining/resources (WA) and government/public sector employment (ACT). NSW salaries are high but so is the cost of living in Sydney. Regional areas typically pay 10–15% less than capital cities, but the significantly lower cost of living can result in higher disposable income.
Some industries are particularly favourable for international graduates — offering strong salaries, sponsorship willingness, and PR pathway alignment.
Technology and IT: Australia’s tech sector has a persistent skills shortage. Software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity analysts, and cloud architects are in high demand. Starting salaries are competitive (AUD 75,000–85,000) with rapid growth. Most IT roles are on the MLTSSL, and skills assessment through ACS is straightforward for graduates with relevant degrees.
Engineering: Civil, mechanical, electrical, and mining engineers are all in demand, especially for infrastructure projects and the resources sector. Engineers Australia assesses qualifications via the Competency Demonstration Report (CDR). Graduate engineers who gain work experience during their post-study work visa are well-positioned for PR.
Healthcare: Nursing and allied health professions offer excellent job security, competitive pay (especially with penalty rates for shift work), and the fastest PR pathway. Registered nurses are consistently among the most-invited occupations in SkillSelect rounds.
Accounting and finance: Accounting remains on the MLTSSL despite high competition in SkillSelect. Completing a CPA or CA programme during your post-study work visa strengthens both your earning potential and PR prospects. Senior accountants and financial managers earn well above the national average.
Education: Secondary teachers, especially in STEM subjects, are in demand across Australia. Teaching offers job stability, good starting salaries, and a clear PR pathway through AITSL assessment. Regional teaching positions often come with additional benefits and faster PR processing.
Choose your course strategically: The highest-paying occupations in Australia almost all require specific degree qualifications assessed by specific bodies (ACS for IT, Engineers Australia for engineering, ANMAC for nursing, CPA/CA ANZ for accounting). Ensure your Australian degree is accredited by the relevant assessment body before you enrol.
Gain Australian work experience: Employers value Australian work experience. Use your post-study work visa to gain relevant professional experience — even starting in a junior role builds your resume and professional network. Many Nepali graduates find their first role through university career services or graduate programmes.
Consider regional opportunities: Regional areas often have less competition for jobs, and many employers in regional Australia are actively looking for graduates. You also gain additional PR pathway benefits (extra points, longer post-study work visa). A regional graduate earning AUD 75,000 with low living costs may have more disposable income than a Sydney graduate earning AUD 85,000.
Build professional networks: Join professional associations relevant to your field (Engineers Australia, ACS, CPA Australia). Attend industry events, connect with professionals on LinkedIn, and engage with your university’s alumni network. Many high-paying positions are filled through professional networks rather than job advertisements.
Invest in professional development: Beyond your degree, consider obtaining additional certifications that boost your earning potential. For IT: AWS/Azure/GCP certifications. For accounting: CPA or CA programme. For engineering: Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) status. These investments typically pay for themselves within the first year through higher salary offers.
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The median full-time starting salary for Australian university graduates is approximately AUD 75,000 per year across all fields, according to the QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024. Engineering graduates earn the highest median at AUD 80,000, followed by teaching at AUD 78,800 and IT at AUD 75,300.
Yes. Under the Fair Work Act, employers must pay international graduates the same rates as Australian citizens and permanent residents in the same role. Pay discrimination based on visa status or nationality is illegal. International graduates are entitled to the same minimum wage, award rates, penalty rates, and superannuation as any other worker.
Software engineering, civil engineering, nursing, accounting, and teaching all offer both strong salaries and a clear pathway to permanent residency through the MLTSSL. Software engineers can earn AUD 130,000–200,000 at the senior level. Mining and petroleum engineering offer even higher salaries (AUD 150,000–250,000) but positions are concentrated in Western Australia and regional areas.
The ACT (Canberra) and Western Australia (Perth) consistently have the highest average full-time earnings. The ACT averages approximately AUD 116,900 per year, driven by government and public sector employment. Western Australia averages approximately AUD 113,800, driven by the mining and resources sector. However, cost of living varies significantly — regional areas often offer better value despite lower nominal salaries.
Salaries typically grow 20–40% within the first five years of a graduate’s career. A graduate starting at AUD 75,000 can expect to earn AUD 100,000–130,000 by mid-career (5–7 years). In high-growth fields like IT and engineering, the increase can be even steeper. Professional certifications and skills assessment completion also contribute to faster salary growth.
Most high-paying occupations require a relevant university degree (bachelor’s or higher) plus professional registration or skills assessment. Engineers need assessment by Engineers Australia, IT professionals by the Australian Computer Society (ACS), nurses by ANMAC, and accountants by CPA Australia or CA ANZ. Completing your degree at an Australian university accredited by the relevant body streamlines this process.
Sources: ABS Cat. 6302.0 — Average Weekly Earnings, Australia, November 2025 (abs.gov.au) · QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024 (qilt.edu.au) · Department of Home Affairs — Skilled Occupation List (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) · Fair Work Ombudsman — fairwork.gov.au (minimum wage, workplace rights) · Hays Salary Guide FY26/27.
Originally published July 2026. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
