Top 10 Most Employable Degrees in Australia for 2024

Curious about what the most employable degrees in Australia are?

Look no further, because we’ve compiled a list to help you with deciding your future degree! We all know that making a choice can be a daunting and overwhelming task — passions and interests aside, it’s still important to consider your degree’s employability.

Read on to find out which degrees will land you a job in the future workforce!

#10 Dentistry

Percentage of graduates with a full-time job: 83.2%

Example Degrees:

• Bachelor of Science/Doctor of Dental Medicine (USYD)
• Bachelor of Dental Science (CSU)
• Bachelor of Dental Health Science (Griffith)
• Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours) (UQ)
• Bachelor of Oral Health (Melbourne University)
• Bachelor of Medical Science (Monash University)

While degrees in Dentistry are offered by a very limited number of universities in New South Wales, they usually offer immediate professional recognition after the degree, allowing you to practice dentistry as a graduate. It goes without saying that Dentistry is the study of teeth and oral health, with degrees requiring practical experience with dentist equipment to prepare you for the workforce.

It is one of the only medical degrees that does not require you to pass the GAMSAT for admission. The degree typically lasts 5-7 years but its one of the most employable degrees in Australia. 

#9 Law

Percentage of graduates with a full-time job: 84.5%

Example Degrees: 

• Bachelor of Laws (Monash, USYD, UNSW, UQ)
• Juris Doctor (Melbourne University, Monash, USYD, UNSW)

Law degrees are extremely popular, so there are very little Universities that don’t offer one. It is important to note that law is a very competitive industry, with many enrolments constantly increasing each year. Take it from a law student, law is not a guarantee for safe employment and good pay. This is because there are so many other students searching for the same goal in law – employment and high pay.

Note that depending on what you want to do with your law degree, you may have to complete other qualifications as well!

In a law degree you will study legal philosophy, corporate law, public law, criminal law, civil law and many other legal areas. Being a lawyer is a skill, so while it teaches you many soft skills like hard work and communication, fundamental skills in the law aren’t exactly transferable into other careers. So for your information, if you don’t want to be a lawyer, don’t study law!

#8 Business and Management

Percentage of graduates with a full-time job: 84.5%

Example Degrees:

• Bachelor of Accounting (UNE, UTS, Monash)
• Bachelor of Actuarial Studies (UNSW, MQ, ANU)
• Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (ACU)
• Bachelor of Applied Finance (MQ)
• Bachelor of Business (WSU, Monash, UTS, Griffith) 
• Bachelor of Commerce (Melbourne University)

Business and management span a vast diversity of degrees offered in Australian universities. Regardless of the degree you choose, you will learn various financial management skills that are highly desirable in today’s economy, making some of these the most employable degrees.

These skills include portfolio management, accounting, taxation, financial modelling, derivative pricing and strategic planning. Studying business and management allows work in multiple fields such as corporate finance, business management, bookkeeping, forensic accounting and market analysis. 

Tip: Many business and management degrees also offer Co-Op programs that allow you to kickstart your career with in-built internships and career opportunities!

Discover what it’s like to work in the following careers by clicking the links below:

• Consultant
• Accountant
• Actuary
• Marketer
• Business analyst
• Financial analyst

#7 Nursing

Percentage of graduates with a full-time job: 86.8%

Example Degrees:

• Bachelor of Nursing (ACU, WSU, UC, UNE, UON, UTS, USYD)

By studying Nursing, you’ll enter the workforce as one of the most trusted healthcare professionals so you can make a real difference in your community’s health and wellbeing. A degree in nursing enables you to work in a diverse range of speciality areas including critical care, mental health, aged care, paediatrics and operating theatres.

Most nursing degrees also require you to partake in placement programs that allow you to gain clinical experience so you are prepared to enter the workplace. Careers in nursing include working in the pharmaceutical industry, drug and alcohol centres, clinical research, trauma and emergency care, and public and private health care systems. 

Looking into pursuing a career in nursing? Find out what it’s like working as a registered nurse!

#6 Engineering

Percentage of graduates with a full-time job: 89.2%

Example Degrees:

• Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)/Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (UNSW)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (MQ, Monash)
• Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours) (UON)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Aerospace/Mechanical and Manufacturing/Mechanical) (UNSW)

Depending on the Engineering degree chosen, this is an excellent way to incorporate innovation with creativity and scientific knowledge. Studying engineering equips you with the skills and expertise to build things from infrastructure to machinery, to aircrafts.

You can study in areas such as fluid mechanics, geotechnical engineering, thermodynamics, aerospace engineering and power generation, depending on specialities. While the degree is typically quite long (around five years), studying engineering provides countless career opportunities, allowing people to work in defence, transport, aerospace, engineering, urban development, infrastructure and more. 

Check out the different types of roles you can land with a Bachelor of Engineering!

#5 Teacher Education

Percentage of graduates with a full-time job: 89.6%

Example Degrees:

• Bachelor of Education (Primary) (ACU, MQ, WSU, UQ, Monash)
• Bachelor of Education (Secondary) (MQ, UNSW, UQ, Monash)
• Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) (ACU, UNE, UON, Monash)
• Master of Education (Melbourne University)

Teachers and education professionals are given the privilege of shaping young people’s minds by providing them insight into the world around them. Regardless of your degree, as a student of teacher education, when you enter the workforce, you will be able to inspire inquiry and support the learning of young students.

You will be able to influence lives and teach in specific subjects as the degree often requires a placement in a school to prepare you for entering the workforce. Graduates will be able to teach in government and non-government schools.

Wondering what other roles you can end up in with a Bachelor of Education? Check out our list of jobs you can aspire to with the degree!

#4 Veterinary Science

Percentage of graduates with a full-time job: 89.9%

Example Degrees:

• Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (USYD)
• Bachelor of Veterinary Technology (CSU)
• Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Biosciences (LTU)
• Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Science major) (Melbourne University)
• Doctor of Veterinary Science (Melbourne University)

Veterinary studies gives you the fundamental and applied knowledge of domestic and wildlife animals to enhance their wellbeing and welfare. You will study animal health in a diverse range of areas such as biotechnology, animal physiology, genetics, microbiology and ecology.

Many degrees offer hands-on study with some universities having their own wildlife sanctuaries, while others having an in-built internship that gives you practical contact with animals. By studying veterinary studies, you could pursue many careers including becoming a national parks and wildlife services officer, reproductive technologist (animal and human), biosecurity researcher, veterinarian, public health policymaker and veterinary cardiologist. 

Learn about what it’s like to work as a vet!

#3 Rehabilitation

Percentage of graduates with a full-time job: 96.5%

Example Degrees:

• Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) (USYD)
• Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science (UNE, UTS)
• Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (ACU, WSU, UON, SCU, UQ, Monash)
• Bachelor of Exercise Physiology (UNSW)

Studying Rehabilitation allows you to help those whose abilities are impaired across a variety of circumstances through your study of the human body and functions. You may be working with children with learning disabilities, assisting elderly patients to return to daily function after a hip replacement, or aiding an athlete after a ligament tear.

After studying in subjects such as exercise physiology, biomedics and anatomy, your degree will often require you to participate in clinical placements. As one of the most employable degrees, Rehabilitation will open up career opportunities as an occupational therapist, rehabilitation consultant, strength and conditioning specialist, etc. 

Curious about a career as a physiotherapist? Learn more!

#2 Medicine 

Percentage of graduates with a full-time job: 93.0%

Example Degrees:

• Bachelor of Medical Science (MQ, UTS, ANU)
• Doctor of Medicine (paired with a Bachelor’s degree) (USYD, UNE, UNSW, WSU, Melbourne University, Monash, Deakin)

A degree in medical field allows you to develop an understanding of the human body structure, functions and disease processes. You can be working to improve the health of others in a variety of medical fields such as immunology, metabolic biochemistry, genetics, anatomy and physiotherapy.

Admission into a Doctor of Medicine can be extensive, most requiring a high ATAR/IB and GAMSAT result, however, there are also many transfer processes available. Many medical degrees also have prerequisite subjects. 

Check out what it takes to become a general practitioner!

#1 Pharmacy

Percentage of graduates with a full-time job: 96.2%

Example Degrees:

• Bachelor of Pharmacy (CSU, UON, USYD, QUT, UQ, Monash)
• Bachelor of Pharmacy and Management (USYD)

As an integral part of health services, Pharmacy teaches you the best use and management of medications. It combines scientific knowledge, such as subjects in medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical studies, and biology, with practical skills such as health counselling, dispensing and medication management.

You will be an essential service to people of all backgrounds and ages, providing advice for common ailments, and preparing and formulating medications. Some degrees will require clinical placements and many also provide professional accreditation.

By studying in pharmacy, you will be able to work as a community pharmacist, hospital pharmacist and industrial pharmacist (such as in drug production). 

Check out what it’s like to be a pharmacist!

There you have it!

A stock-standard bachelor degree is not the only option out there! Check out all the different types of tertiary qualifications here!

The top 10 most employable degrees in Australia. While it is important to select a degree that you are passionate about and eligible for, it is important to recall the end goal of finishing a degree; getting a job. We’ve given you some of the most employable degrees, now it’s up to you to decide what you’re doing with your future!

Our BEST advice for you is to attend a University Open Day! Explore the campus, talk to current students, and get advice on your degree choice. Use our Comprehensive List of Open Day Dates for Universities to plan ahead!

Jacinda Yang graduated in 2018 and is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) at the University of Sydney. She has been an avid writer and reader for as long as she can remember, dipping into public speaking competitions, short stories, slam poetry and even the dark, unmentionable days of Wattpad fiction. These days you can find her bingeing Netflix comedy specials or guiltily still indulging in young adult novels.