Salary is one of the main reasons Indian students choose Australia. But the highest paying jobs in Australia are not all open to fresh international graduates, and the figures you see online often mix averages, tax data and old surveys. This guide uses official Jobs and Skills Australia data to show which occupations pay most, which ones suit international graduates, and how to reach them, checked on 28 October 2026.
- Jobs and Skills Australia reports median weekly earnings of 3,905 dollars for surgeons and 3,620 dollars for specialist physicians in May 2025
- Its occupation profiles show 3,519 dollars a week for engineering managers and 2,537 dollars for software and applications programmers
- The national minimum wage is 26.44 dollars an hour from 1 July 2026.
What Are the Highest Paying Jobs in Australia?
Medical specialists top the list. Jobs and Skills Australia reports median weekly earnings of 3,905 dollars for surgeons in May 2025. Engineering managers, mining engineers and ICT managers also earn well above 3,000 dollars a week. These are median earnings for full-time workers before tax across all experience levels, not graduate salaries.
| Occupation 2026 | Median weekly earnings | About per year |
|---|---|---|
| Surgeons | 3,905 dollars | 203,000 dollars |
| Specialist physicians | 3,620 dollars | 188,000 dollars |
| Engineering managers | 3,519 dollars | 183,000 dollars |
| Mining engineers | 3,518 dollars | 183,000 dollars |
| ICT managers | 3,310 dollars | 172,000 dollars |
| ICT business and systems analysts | 2,697 dollars | 140,000 dollars |
| Industrial, mechanical and production engineers | 2,614 dollars | 136,000 dollars |
| Electrical engineers | 2,553 dollars | 133,000 dollars |
| Software and applications programmers | 2,537 dollars | 132,000 dollars |
| Civil engineering professionals | 2,217 dollars | 115,000 dollars |
| Registered nurses | 2,192 dollars | 114,000 dollars |
| Accountants | 2,003 dollars | 104,000 dollars |
Yearly figures are the weekly median multiplied by 52 and rounded, so treat them as a guide. Earnings for each job vary with experience, location and employer. Jobs and Skills Australia says its next data update is expected in November 2026, so check the occupation profiles for the latest numbers before you choose a course.
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Engineering, IT, nursing and accounting are the most realistic high paying paths for international graduates, because they have clear entry routes, steady demand and links to skilled visas. Medical specialist roles pay most but need Australian registration and many years of training, so they are a long-term goal rather than a first job.
Nursing is a strong option because demand is steady across the country, but you need registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board through Ahpra before you can work as a registered nurse. Engineers and accountants should check that their degree is accredited by Engineers Australia or CPA Australia, because accreditation affects both jobs and skills assessments for visas.
Mining and resources roles pay well but are often in remote areas and favour candidates with local experience. Management roles such as ICT manager or engineering manager usually come after several years in the field. Plan your first job as a step towards these, not as the end point.
How Much Do Fresh Graduates Earn in Australia?
Graduate salaries are much lower than the occupation medians. A salary site citing the 2025 Graduate Outcomes Survey reports a median of 77,000 dollars for undergraduates in full-time work four to six months after finishing, with medicine at 85,900 dollars and engineering at 82,500 dollars. Postgraduates with work experience often earn more.
These graduate figures come from a secondary source, so check the official QILT reports for your field. Your first salary depends heavily on whether you have local work experience, internships and a professional accreditation. Part-time work in your field during study can make a real difference to your starting pay.
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Choose a course linked to occupations in demand, get professional accreditation such as Engineers Australia or CPA Australia where relevant, gain local experience through internships and part-time work in your field, and use your post-study work visa to build two or three years of Australian experience before moving to senior roles.
Our study abroad coach advises linking your degree to real job openings, and checking Australia's skilled occupation and shortage lists before you pick a university and location. Regional study can add post-study work time, which gives you longer to build experience. Networking with alumni and industry groups often leads to better roles than online applications alone.
Do High Paying Jobs Help With Australian PR?
They can. Many skilled visas depend on your occupation being on a skilled list, and employer sponsorship needs a salary at least equal to the Core Skills Income Threshold, which migration guides put at 79,423 dollars from 1 July 2026. Higher pay, experience and in-demand skills improve your options.
Rules change often, so check the Department of Home Affairs website for the current threshold and occupation lists before you plan. A high paying job alone does not guarantee permanent residence, but skilled work in a listed occupation, strong English and Australian experience together give you the best chance.
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Courses in engineering, computer science and IT, nursing, accounting and data science lead to the high paying roles most open to international graduates. Medicine and dentistry lead to the highest pay but are long and competitive. Mining and petroleum engineering pay well but depend on the resources sector and remote work.
Location matters too. Mining and resources jobs are concentrated in Western Australia and Queensland, while finance and technology roles cluster in Sydney and Melbourne. Regional areas can offer faster hiring and extra post-study work time, but fewer employers. Compare where jobs in your field are before you choose a city, not just where the university is ranked highest.
Pick a course you can succeed in and that has clear accreditation in Australia. Check that the course leads to the occupation you want and whether employers in that field hire international graduates. A slightly lower paying job with good sponsorship prospects can be a better long-term choice than a top paying one that is hard to enter.