Fastest Growing Occupations in Australia: Pathways and future for International students

Australia has been one of the most preferred destinations of the International students for education and work for decades. As per the latest KPMG report released in May 2025, care economy jobs in health and childcare making them the fastest growing occupations in the Australian market between 2014 to 2014. KPMG Australia analysis also reveals that Tech & IT Professionals, Marketers, HR Professionals, Chefs  & Cooks and Truck & Delivery Drivers round out the list as the current economy and the prioritisation of wellbeing and health significantly alter Australia’s occupational structure. This report serves as a valuable guide for International students for selecting qualifications/courses that can align them with the current and future workforce requirements of the Australian job market.

Here’s a detailed description of the fastest growing jobs in Australia in 2025 and the relevant courses that the students can opt for:

 

●      Aged & Disabled Care Workers (+98%)

Registered nurses, aged care workers, and other healthcare professionals are highly sought after due to the aging population. The careers in this sector are expected to rise exponentially in the coming years as the older population of the country, who have no one to take care of, are looking forward to care support and therefore the Government of Australia is prioritising this sector as one of the crucial areas for providing jobs.

Relevant courses: Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), Certificate IV in Ageing Support, and various nursing degrees and postgraduate qualifications. For aspiring nurses, Bachelor of Nursing or Diploma of Nursing (enrolled nurse) are common entry points, with further specialization available through advanced diplomas or master’s degrees

 

●      IT and Tech: Tech & IT Professionals (+55%)

Software developers, data analysts, cyber security specialists, and other tech professionals are in high demand as businesses embrace technology.

In 2025, the Australian IT sector is projected to see strong growth, particularly in areas like cloud computing, cyber security, and AI. High-demand roles include software developers, data scientists, and cyber security specialists. Specific areas with high demand are:

●       Cloud Computing

●       Cyber security

●       AI

●       Software Development

●       Data Science

 

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Relevant courses; Bachelor of Information Technology, Bachelor of Computer Science, and Bachelor of Cyber Security. Postgraduate options such as Master of Information Technology and Master of Data Science are also widely available

 

●       Marketing, Advertising and PR (+40.9%)

Australia’s marketing, advertising, and public relations (PR) sector offers diverse job opportunities, ranging from entry-level roles to senior management positions. Specific roles include marketing executives, specialists, managers, and directors, as well as those focused on digital marketing, content creation, social media, and PR strategies

Relevant courses: Bachelor of Marketing, Diploma of Social Media Marketing

 

●       Nurses and Midwives (+29%)

The demand for nursing jobs in Australia is higher than ever, with the healthcare sector continuously growing to meet the needs of an aging population and evolving medical advancements. Similarly Midwives are in demand and midwifery has excellent rates of employment.

These professionals can find opportunities in hospitals, community health centres, aged care facilities, and other healthcare settings, including remote locations

Relevant courses: Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery, Diploma of Nursing, and postgraduate options like Graduate Diplomas and Master’s degrees in various specializations

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●       Allied Health Workers (+83.9%) –

Allied health professionals in Australia have diverse career opportunities, with high demand in various settings like hospitals, aged care facilities, disability services, and community health centres. They can work in specialized roles like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and more, with many finding employment in private practices, rehabilitation clinics, and even the sports and fitness industry.

Relevant courses: Certificate III and IV to Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. These courses cover various specializations, including allied health assistance, mental health, medical imaging, and specific therapies like physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

 

●       Human Resources Professionals (+41.2%) –

The Australian human resources (HR) sector offers substantial job potential for professionals, with ongoing demand across various industries.  The overall market is vibrant with opportunities, particularly for junior to mid-level roles like HR Advisors and HR Business Partners.  The Australian Government projects a significant increase in HR manager positions by 2025, further highlighting the sector’s growth potential

Relevant courses: Bachelor of Business (HR), Diploma in Human Resources Management –

 

 

●       Chefs, Cooks and Kitchen Hands (+26.1%) –

The hospitality sector provides opportunities for chefs to work globally, with Australia being a stepping stone for international careers. Chefs and cooks in Australia have high job potential, with the sector experiencing strong demand and career growth opportunities. This is due to factors like the expanding hospitality industry, a surge in tourism, and an increased need for skilled culinary professionals. The Australian government has also acknowledged the importance of this profession, including chefs on its Skills Priority List and investing in vocational education and training

Relevant courses: Certificate III and IV in Commercial Cookery, Diploma of Hospitality Management.

 

●       Early Childhood & Child Care (+52.5%) and teachers (+23.6%)

In Australia, there’s a high demand for teachers, lecturers, and childcare workers, especially in rural and remote areas. This is due to population growth, government initiatives supporting early childhood education, and a lack of local training opportunities in rural areas which is resulting in fewer qualified professionals, making it difficult to fill positions. Many regional towns are expanding, leading to increased demand for childcare and educational services. Older teachers are retiring, creating a need for new teachers. Another important reason is that the parents and carers returning to work or study and thus increasing the need for childcare and early childhood programs. There’s a significant shortage of early childhood educators in many areas, particularly in rural and remote regions. There’s a strong demand for teachers with expertise in specific areas like special and inclusive education, math, science, and technology.

Relevant courses: Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary) , The Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education is designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a discipline other than early childhood. This one-year program provides a pathway to become a qualified early childhood teacher, preparing you to teach children from birth to five years old.

 

●       Engineering (+14.9%)

Australia is investing heavily in infrastructure, requiring a skilled workforce to build and maintain roads, railways, and other public works. Civil, electrical, mechanical, and mining engineers are needed for infrastructure and energy projects as currently Australia is facing an engineering skills shortage. These fields are vital for the country’s growth. The shift towards sustainable energy sources like solar and wind power, strong mining industry base creates significant demand for electrical, mechanical and mining engineers. 

Australia has also recently introduced the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) which identifies occupations critical to Australia’s economy, with  engineering professions among the most in-demand. This will help Australia align with its labour market needs and address the skill shortages.

Relevant courses: Bachelor of Engineering (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical), along with specialized fields like Construction Management, Building and Construction Diplomas, and relevant trade certifications. 

 

●       Construction and Trades:

Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and construction managers are needed for booming construction and housing markets. According to data shared by The Australian Bureau of Statistics, construction is the third largest industry in Australia – both by its share in the total national GDP and also by the number of people it has been employing. With a steady growth, employment has been increasing in this industry. Occupations that are in demand:

●       Electricians

●       Construction Managers

●       Plumbers

●       Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians

●       Building and Plumbing Labourers

●       Civil Engineering Professionals

●       Carpenters and Joiners

●       Insulation and Home Improvement Installers

●       Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers

●       Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics

●       Concreters

Relevant courses : In the Australian Construction and Trades sector, a range of courses are available, from entry-level certificates to higher-level diplomas and degrees. Popular choices include Carpentry, Bricklaying, Plastering, and Electro technology. There’s also a strong focus on specialized trades like Engineering Fabrication, Automotive Technology, and Commercial Cookery.