Top 7 most enjoyable jobs in Australia
What are the most enjoyable jobs in Australia? Landing a job is hard enough on its own, but landing one that fulfills you – now that’s a tougher challenge. Yet, it remains the ultimate career goal for most of us.
To achieve job happiness, it thus makes sense to pursue roles offering greater autonomy and higher salaries.
Alongside job security, company culture, pay, and a healthy work-life balance; qualifications play a crucial role in landing an “enjoyable” job. Professional training equips one with the skills to pursue their desired field, leading to greater “job fit”, and thus, greater work satisfaction.
We explore some of Australia’s most enjoyable jobs and industries – along with tips for landing a fulfilling job, and how upskilling can help.
The best industries that report the happiest people
In a recent survey by The Wellbeing Lab, findings reported high levels of job satisfaction among those in:
- Consulting.
- Science and Technology.
- Social Services.
On an individual job level, management and director roles (CEOs, COOs, and CFOs, etc.) were unsurprisingly cited as having the highest levels of happiness. These positions were almost twice as likely to be thriving than the roles under them. Therefore – the higher up on the ladder you are, the greater your job satisfaction.
As mentioned, high “job fit” influences much of these happiness levels.
The most satisfied workers reported having their work valued and supported by colleagues, as well as having a passion for their tasks. Autonomy and strong, engaging relationships also played a major role with satisfaction.
Those who reported unhappiness felt “less in control “of the work they did and experienced less support from those in their team.
Whether you want to create an impactful career in the community services industry, or grow and make moves in a business start-up, these careers will be sure to challenge and provide you with the greater job satisfaction you'll need to succeed.
Top 7 most enjoyable jobs in Australia
- Counsellor.
- Managing Director.
- Java Developer.
- Project Manager.
- Brand Manager.
- Social Media Manager.
- HR Manager.
1. Counsellor.
Counsellors rank among the top five roles of highest job satisfaction, with weekly earnings averaging at $1,584, above the all-jobs average of $1,460 (source: JobOutlook). The ability to work on a flexible schedule and aid people’s lives for the better lends to greater rates of happiness and fulfillment among those in the industry. Additionally, it's an ideal career path for those who enjoy solving problems, meeting new people, and building new relationships.
Recommended course: CHC51015 - Diploma of Counselling
2. Managing Director.
Being high up the employment chain, it’s no wonder that managing directors experience high levels of job happiness. This role provides those with innovative vision and strong leadership skills the opportunity to direct a business towards financial success. Extensive experience is often required to achieve this position, though workers enjoy a high average salary of $120,000.
Managing directors are expected to experience a 0.7% job growth in the next five years, according to SEEK.
Recommended course: BSB50420 - Diploma of Leadership and Management
3. Java Developer.
As our society grows ever-reliant on technology, the industry increasingly requires new workers to keep up with demand – one such role being a Java Developer. Demand for these professionals are plenty, and continues to rise as the coding language remains a staple in developing new online platforms and applications.
Talent.com mentions that the average salary for a Java Developer is $130,000 per year.
Recommended course: ICT40120 - Certificate IV in Information Technology (Programming)
4. Project Manager.
The ability to exercise one’s leadership and people skills make project management an often fulfilling role for many. Though ranking lower in the chart above, the role provides plenty of autonomy – as you’re in charge of guiding a team to project success, in whatever creative ways you see fit. You’ll also have the opportunity of working with others from various backgrounds, build new relationships, and contribute to the overall growth of your company.
The average salary of a Project Manager in Australia is $122,853 per year, according to Indeed.
Recommended course: BSB50820 - Diploma of Project Management
5. Brand Manager.
Brand managers are tasked with the creative responsibility of shaping, upholding, and if necessary – revisioning their company’s public image. With the freedom to think out-of-the-box and being an often dynamic, fast-paced field (with constant new challenges and insights); the role ranks among SEEK’s top ten job titles of high employee satisfaction.
According to Payscale, the average salary of a Brand Manager in Australia is $80,733 per year.
Recommended course: BSB50620 - Diploma of Marketing and Communication
6. Social Media Manager.
If you're someone that's creative and enjoys personally using social media channels to update your friends and family on what you're up to, you may benefit from working as a social media manager.
Social media managers typically work for an organisation, business or agency where they manage both organic and paid content across popular platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. They are usually very creative and have both analytical and visual design skills to create engaging content to build brand awareness and authority.
Plus, working as a social media manager means you'll have the flexibility of either working remotely or work to a hybrid work schedule as most of the work can be done at home.
The average salary of a social media manager in Australia is $92,729 per year (according to Talent.com).
Recommended course: 10904NAT - Diploma of Social Media Marketing
7. HR Manager.
As an HR manager, you'll be responsible for directing and coordinating activites that relate to human resources and workplace relations. You'll be responsibile in taking care of the recruitment process so that means you'll be hiring and interviewing staff. You'll also be the one taking care of other functions that directly impact you, which includes payroll and company benefits.
HR managers typically work across a number of industries, so if you enjoy work that includes variety and helps build the organisational structure of a business, then you'll find this to be a rewarding role - particularly if you have excellent people skills.
The average salary of a HR manager in Australia is $125,000 per year (according to Talent.com).
Recommended course: BSB50320 - Diploma of Human Resource Management
4 tips on landing a job you’ll love
- Outline your interests and current skillset.
- Do a skills audit.
- Do your research.
- Look at flexibility and the average salary it offers.
Finding a job you love can be a challenge, though there are few ways to make your hunt easier.
1. Outline your interests and current skillset.
Online career quizzes, such as Job Outlook’s, can help you match your work style and passions to the best-fitting career paths available. Determining these choices grant you a helpful starting point for what ideal job to look for.
2. Do a skills audit.
Do you currently have the abilities to pursue these roles? If you find yourself desiring a role that you’re currently less-than-skilled for – an internship, course, or apprenticeship can help equip you for employment success.
3. Do your research.
Job satisfaction isn’t solely dependent on how well your skills and interests match the role – but also how well the role matches you. More specifically – your lifestyle and financial needs.
4. Look at flexibility and the average salary it offers.
Do a background search on the company to determine if their company culture is a good fit. Each of these factors also play a crucial part in how likely you’ll feel satisfied on the job.
Upskilled currently offers a wide range of qualifications across plenty of Australia’s thriving industries – from community services to information technology. Be sure to enquire about a course today by calling 1300 009 924 to make a move on a career you genuinely enjoy!
Editor's note: This article was originally published in August 2020. Content has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
)
)
