8 high paying creative jobs in Australia
If you’re seeking out a creative career, good news: your skills are in higher demand than ever.
As automation continues to pervade the current job market – original thoughts, ideas, and innovation have rapidly grown in value. Over the past 30 years, Australia has seen a significant employment rise among jobs that are “mechanisation-resistant”; roles that require creative thinking and a human, inventive touch.
Below, SkillsTalk explore some of the country’s best paying creative jobs, and the qualifications needed to help you land the role.
What are the highest paying creative jobs?
- Video game designer
- Social media marketer
- Ethical hacker
- Project manager
- Web designer
- Public relations manager
- Software developer
- Retail manager
1. Video game designer.
Salary
According to 2020 Payscale statistics, the average video game designer in Australia currently earns $72,803 annually.
How to become a video game designer – ICT50215 - Diploma of Digital and Interactive Games
Through a ICT50215 - Diploma of Digital and Interactive Games, aspiring game designers can train themselves in the foundations of character and environment design; storyboarding; and animation.
Video game designer job description
What do video game designers do?
Video game designers typically work within a team, coding elements of a game to create an interactive and playable experience. They generally assist with storyboarding concepts to create an engaging, original narrative; and may focus their coding on a specific aspect of gameplay, such as environments, characters, AI interactions, or animation. Additionally, they may also be responsible for testing their code, ensuring the resulting gameplay is bug-free.
Demand for video game designers
According to SEEK, the video game design field can expect a 9.2% increase in job growth over the next five years.
Who is this job for?
Not only is the role a fulfilling one for those passionate about gaming – those with an interest in visual design, storytelling, and animation may also find themselves drawn to a career in video game design.
Of course, the job requires excellent skills in programming and system design (which is where a formal qualification may help!). One must also be an eager collaborator (as they’ll typically be working with other developers, art directors, and programmers in a team), and possess exceptional communication skills to succeed in this role.
2. Social media marketer.
Salary
According to 2020 Payscale statistics, the average social media marketer in Australia earns $71,818 annually.
How to become a social media marketer – 10118NAT - Diploma of Social Media Marketing
A 10904NAT - Diploma of Social Media Marketing can help familiarise students with digital marketing strategies across the most common social media platforms. Individuals will learn to create (and manage) engaging social media content, develop e-mail marketing strategies, and effectively build a strong brand presence online.
Social media marketer job description
What do social media marketers do?
Social media marketers are tasked with crafting a distinctive, engaging online presence for a specific company. Using the most popular social media platforms (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.), these professionals create various types of media content (such as videos, online contests, blog posts, etc.) to draw in their target audience – and effectively build their brand’s online following.
Demand for social media marketers
According to SEEK, social media marketers can expect a 21.7% job growth in the coming five years.
Who is this job for?
Those with a knack for creative, innovative ideas will be best suited for a job in social media marketing – as the role requires clever, out-of-the-box marketing strategies for a brand to stand out in the now-saturated online space. Analytical and research skills are also valuable to keep atop the latest social media tools, trends, and technologies.
3. Ethical hacker.
Salary
According to 2020 Payscale statistics, the average ethical hacker earns $102,231 annually in Australia.
How to become an ethical hacker – ICT50120 Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security)
Aspiring ethical hackers can sharpen their knowledge of security concepts and technologies through an ICT50120 Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security). Students will learn how to design, configure, and maintain effective security systems; apply the latest intrusion prevention strategies; and implement encryption tactics, among other skills.
Ethical hacker job description
What do ethical hackers do?
Through their extensive knowledge of cybersecurity and common hacking methods – ethical hackers purposefully break into a business’ security system, pinpointing any faults or vulnerabilities before malicious actors get to them first. Performing these regular “penetration tests” ultimately help a company upgrade and improve their security practices as necessary.
Demand for ethical hackers
According to SEEK, information security analysts can expect an 18.3% job growth in Australia within the next five years.
Who is this job for?
Those with extensive technical knowledge of networking systems and security software (i.e. firewalls, routers, encryption tools, etc.) will find success in the role of an ethical hacker. Analytical skills and keen attention to detail are also a must; along with the creativity to circumvent existing safeguards and come up with new, stronger security solutions.
4. Project manager.
Salary
According to 2020 Payscale statistics, the average project manager earns $98,296 annually in Australia.
How to become a project manager – BSB50820 - Diploma of Project Management
To strengthen their skills in project planning, budgeting, risk assessment, and task delegation; aspiring project managers may find a BSB50820 - Diploma of Project Management valuable in advancing their career. Students will learn to successfully manage a project from conception to completion, with training in areas such as financial planning, leadership, and quality control.
Project managers job description
What do project managers do?
Project managers are responsible for overseeing the end-to-end process of company projects. Through creative strategies and a strong, ultimate vision, these individuals establish the goals, timeline, and budget for a project – ensuring all tasks are delegated to the right talents, all members are provided with adequate resources, and problems or risks are kept to a minimum.
Demand for project managers
According to SEEK, Australian project managers can expect a 6.2% job growth in the coming five years.
Who is this job for?
Project management may be best suited for those with creative problem-solving abilities, strong leadership skills and exceptional communication – both verbal and written. The ability to work well under pressure is also a must, as the job often encounters quick turnarounds, heavy client demands, and unexpected disruptions.
5. Web developer.
Salary
According to 2020 Payscale statistics, the average web designer earns $56,778 in Australia.
How to become a web designer – ICT50120 Diploma of Information Technology
A ICT50120 Diploma of Information Technology can equip aspiring web designers with an advanced knowledge of HTML, CSS, and Javascript – the three programming languages required to craft dynamic, innovative web pages.
Web developer job description
What do web developers do?
Web developers are responsible for creating functional, interactive, and aesthetically pleasing websites for individual clients or businesses. Possessing excellent coding skills, they may work on either the back-end, technical aspects of a website – or the front-end, graphic design elements (depending on the role, some may work on both).
Demand for web developers
According to SEEK, web development in Australia can expect a 9.2% job increase in the next five years.
Who is this job for?
Web developers are generally creative people, as they need a keen eye for visual styles and details to craft distinctive, engaging, and professional-looking websites. Due to often tight deadlines, they must also possess excellent time management and the ability to work under pressure. Interpersonal skills are also a must, as web developers typically work closely with clients and other team members (i.e. graphic designers, content creators, etc.) to successfully meet project needs.
6. Public relations officer.
Salary
According to 2020 Payscale statistics, the average public relations officer earns $59,639 in Australia.
How to become a public relations officer - BSB40820 Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication
A BSB40820 Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication can help one sharpen the skills required to successfully build a company’s positive public image. Students will learn to analyse consumer trends and behaviour; launch both online and offline campaigns; and keep atop the latest market trends and demands.
Public relations officer job description
What do public relations officers do?
Public relations officers are responsible for upholding a successful, positive brand image for a company – and typically develop a variety of marketing and media strategies to achieve this. They liaise with media outlets and press organisations; prepare news releases; write speeches and public presentations; and distribute media press kits, among other tasks that may help in creating positive publicity for a business.
Demand for public relations officers
SEEK statistics show that public relations officers in Australia can expect a 14% job growth in the next five years.
Who is this job for?
The creatively-inclined and research-driven can find plenty of success in the role of a public relations officer. This job typically requires clever, innovative campaign strategies and extensive market research to craft the positive image of a brand, both online and offline. Quick thinking and creative problem-solving are also needed in cases of damage control; and of course – strong interpersonal and communication skills are vital.
7. Software developer.
Salary
According to 2020 Payscale statistics, the average software developer earns $69,147 in Australia.
How to become a software developer - ICT50120 Diploma of Information Technology
A ICT50120 Diploma of Information Technology can help equip aspiring professionals with technical skills in the three most common programming languages: HTML, CSS, and Javascript. With these tools, students will learn the essentials of software product design; debugging and testing; and the development of cloud computing services, among other skills.
Software developer job description
What do software developers do?
Software developers are responsible for building, testing, and maintaining computer programs according to specific client or business needs. This software will vary depending on the company and/or industry. Some may also customise existing network and system programs to improve their functionality.
Demand for software developers
SEEK statistics show that Australia’s software development field can expect a whopping 23.4% rise in job growth in the next five years.
Who is this job for?
Those with a strong programming skillset across various languages (such as C++, Python, PHP on top of HTML/CSS/Javascript) and familiarity with a wide range of operating systems (i.e. Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, etc.) may find the best success in a software development role. Problem-solving skills and creativity are also a must to build innovative programs that improve or enhance work processes.
8. Animator.
Salary
According to 2020 Payscale statistics, the average animator earns $55,055 in Australia.
How to become an animator - ICT40120 Certificate IV in Information Technology (Web Development)
Those looking to pursue the artistic job of an animator may find valuable training through a ICT40120 Certificate IV in Information Technology (Web Development). Students will equip themselves with technical skills in web design, along with effective work practices in the digital media industry.
Animator job description
What do animators do?
Whether it’s for games, commercials, television shows, or big-budget films – animators are tasked with designing, modelling, and animating the cartoon elements of the content. Skills in both 3D and 2D animation are often a must. Animators typically assist with a project’s storyboarding process, and work alongside other artists, developers, and marketing experts to create a successful product.
Demand for animators
According to SEEK, Australian animators can expect a 13.6% job growth in the next five years.
Who is this job for?
Animators are creative professionals with a talent for crafting unique, original, and intriguing visual concepts. Excellent communication and collaboration skills are vital, as they usually work within a larger team. Familiarity with a wide range of software is often necessary (i.e. Flash, Maya, Morpheme, etc.) – though due to constant software upgrades and developments, animators must also be willing to update their industry knowledge and skills with time.
Looking to launch your creative career?
The need for creative skills in Australia is unwavering – and is only set to grow as repetitive tasks are replaced through automation.
To get started on your creative career path, Upskilled currently offers a wide range of courses across varying creative professions – including video game design, marketing, and plenty others – to equip you with the formal qualifications you need to succeed.
Best of all, each course is delivered online, helping you study according to your personal needs and schedule.
Pursue Australia’s creative industries today, and enquire about a course today.
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