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Australia's future job market

Australia’s employment outlook is being shaped by key industries and skill sets that are projected to grow over the next five years. Based on current economic trends and labour market conditions, the has identified high-skill occupations that are expected to be in strong demand by 2030.

Nationwide, * people, representing a 6.6% increase by 2030. New South Wales alone is expected to add 236,000 jobs, marking a 5.3% growth rate. Meanwhile, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) leads the country in percentage growth, with employment expected to expand by 9.2%.

This snapshot of what the future job market will look like from 2025 to 2030 provides useful information to understand workforce growth and trends. For those planning their careers or looking to upskill, these projections can help align study choices with areas of high demand. Here is what you can study to get there.

Projected employment growth by industry

1. Health Care and Social Assistance

The Health Care and Social Assistance sector offers a range of opportunities across Australia's healthcare system. Roles span from nurses, public health professionals, medical clinicians, support workers, and counselling. The most common entry into this category is through the Bachelor of Nursing or via study options within medicine, psychology or social work. The Department of Employment is predicting an increase of 283,000 people in this industry over the next five years.

2. Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector is associated with a high level of expertise and qualifications, covering roles like software developers, programmers, advertising and marketing professionals, and accountants. With a predicted increase of 145,000 jobs in this industry over the next five years, now is a great time to start a degree in a correlating field such as Computer Science and Information Technology or Public Relations.

3. Construction

The Construction industry is vital for Australia's infrastructure growth. Spanning planning, design, and building of infrastructure, it offers a wide range of career opportunities, from entry-level roles to technical and management positions. The sector forecasts an increase of 95,000 jobs in the industry over the next five years, and with approximately 86% of jobs being full-time, the construction industry provides strong prospects for stable and secure employment. Study areas include Engineering, and Business.

4. Education and Training

The Education and Training industry is set for strong growth, with an increase of 72,000 jobs in this sector over the next five years. This dynamic industry can be studied with a Bachelor of Education or postgraduate options, and delivers essential education and training services to people of all ages, spanning a wide range of settings from schools and universities to vocational training centres and government agencies. Careers in teaching and training are highly rewarding and are some of the most in-demand occupations across the country.

5. Accommodation and Food Services

The Accommodation and Food Services industry continues to grow, with an additional 55,000 jobs projected over the next five years. Study areas include Bachelor of Business majoring in Human Resource Management, Communications and Media, and Nutrition Science.

Thinking about your next career move or study path?

For those considering career options or further study, these trends highlight where future opportunities are most likely to be found. Want more information about your study options? taught in state-of-the-art facilities by industry professionals. At UOW, you’ll gain practical skills so that you graduate career-ready and equipped for the future of work.

* commissioned Victoria ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp (VU) to produce employment projections to May 2034, using the Victoria ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp Employment Forecasting (VUEF) model. The information in this article is correct as of October 2025.