10 In‑Demand Jobs for 2025 (Australia): Future‑Proof Your Career
Australia’s job market is reshaping fast. Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) projects employment to grow by about 950,000 people by May 2029 and by ~2 million (to 16.3 million) by May 2034, with Health Care & Social Assistance, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, and Education the main engines of growth.
At the same time, the skills we need are changing. The World Economic Forum’s latest global survey finds 44% of workers’ core skills will be disrupted by 2027, and the fastest‑growing roles cluster around AI, data, and sustainability.
Below is a practical guide to ten roles with strong demand signals in 2025, what they do, typical Australian pay, why demand is rising, and smart training paths, especially through nationally recognised VET qualifications.
1) Cybersecurity Specialist
Cyber professionals protect organisations from attacks, secure data, and manage incident response. Demand is consistently high across government and industry, reflected in thousands of live vacancies each month. Typical advertised pay for a Cyber Security Analyst is AU$100k–$120k. If you’re pivoting into the field, look for the ICT50220 – Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security) specialisation.
Why now: Digital transformation and cloud adoption have widened the attack surface, while regulatory expectations around privacy and critical infrastructure have risen.
2) AI & Machine Learning Engineer
AI/ML engineers build and deploy models that automate decisions and power new products, from recommendation engines to computer vision. Global employer surveys rank AI & ML Specialists as a top fast‑growing job family. Australian ML Engineer roles commonly advertise total comp around the AU$130k–$170k range, depending on level. Upskilling routes include data/AI programs or an ICT50220 stream with advanced programming and data units.
Why now: Companies are moving from pilots to production AI; productivity gains are already showing up most clearly in professional and tech services.
3) Renewable Energy Technician (Solar, Storage & Wind)
Technicians install, commission and maintain renewable systems and batteries, with strong activity across grid‑scale and rooftop. A job‑ready entry is UEE32020 – Certificate III in Renewable Energy (ELV); for rooftop PV/battery work and access to SRES incentives, installers/designers must meet Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) requirements (the scheme transitioned from CEC to SAA in 2024).
Why now: JSA’s Clean Energy Generation study finds employment tied to the energy transition is among the strongest growth areas over the next decade as Australia pursues net zero.
4) Healthcare Professionals (with a focus on Nursing)
An ageing population, chronic disease, and telehealth are increasing the need for clinical roles. Advertised pay for Registered Nurses typically sits around AU$85k–$90k, with higher earnings in advanced practice, remote, and shift‑loaded roles.
Why now: Health remains the largest growth engine in JSA’s outlook and is forecast to add the most jobs to 2034.
5) Data Scientist
Data scientists turn messy datasets into decisions, building pipelines, models and dashboards that guide strategy. Typical advertised salaries are ~AU$115k–$135k. Pathways include university postgrad diplomas/certs or an ICT50220 stream that emphasises data engineering/analysis units.
Why now: As every function becomes data‑driven and AI‑assisted, organisations need specialists to ensure quality data, sound models, and measurable business impact.
6) Digital Marketing Strategist
Strategists own the digital growth engine: audience strategy, content, paid media, conversion and analytics. Typical Australian pay bands cluster around AU$75k–$95k, with senior roles higher. For a nationally recognised marketing pathway focused on platforms and campaigns, the 10904NAT – Diploma of Social Media Marketing is current.
Why now: Even traditional sectors have shifted acquisition and brand to digital channels, sustaining demand for measurable, multi‑channel marketing.
7) Software Developer
Developers design and build the software under everything from finance to health to logistics. Typical advertised salaries are AU$85k–$105k, with higher pay in senior or specialist roles. Strong pathways include ICT50220 – Diploma of IT (programming streams) with portfolio projects that mirror real work.
Why now: Software remains a core growth engine within the broader Professionals group, JSA’s decade outlook shows the strongest absolute gains in skill‑intensive roles.
8) E‑Commerce Specialist
These specialists run online stores end‑to‑end: merchandising, CX, conversion, marketplaces, logistics and analytics. E‑commerce Manager roles typically advertise AU$100k–$120k. Note that there is no “Diploma of Business (E‑Commerce)” on the national register; a credible pathway is BSB50120 – Diploma of Business (Digital Transformation) combined with e‑commerce units such as BSBTEC501 – Develop and implement an e‑commerce strategy and retail unit SIRXECM003 – Design an e‑commerce site.
Why now: Online retail continues to normalise at a higher base than pre‑pandemic and is integrated with physical channels, creating steady demand for people who can run the full digital P&L.
9) Cloud Computing Expert
Cloud architects and engineers plan and run cloud infrastructure, security and cost optimisation. Typical advertised pay for Cloud Engineers is AU$120k–$140k. A popular entry is ICT50220 – Diploma of IT (Cloud Engineering/Architecture), the training package includes dedicated cloud security and serverless/microservices units.
Why now: Cloud is the backbone of digital transformation; it’s also where cybersecurity and AI workloads live, keeping demand resilient.
10) Leadership & Change Roles
From team leaders to operations and ICT managers, organisations need people who can navigate transformation, align teams and deliver outcomes. Typical IT Manager salaries sit around AU$130k–$150k, with executive roles higher. The BSB50420 – Diploma of Leadership and Management builds core people, delivery and change capability transferrable across sectors.
Why now: As technology and regulation shift, companies prioritise leaders who can translate strategy into delivery while building adaptable teams.
How to Adapt (and Stay Employable)
Reskilling beats waiting. WEF’s data shows the skills mix is evolving quickly; analytical thinking, creative problem‑solving and tech literacy are rising in importance. Combine those core capabilities with a role‑specific qualification or micro‑credential and build a tangible portfolio (projects, labs, case studies).
Networking still matters. Follow industry bodies, join meetups, and contribute to forums or open‑source projects. In fields like cyber, cloud or data, hands‑on evidence, labs, GitHub repos, cloud certifications, carries real weight with hiring managers.
Where Upskilled Fits
If you want a nationally recognised pathway delivered online, Upskilled offers programs aligned to the roles above, including:
ICT50220 – Diploma of Information Technology (Cyber Security) and ICT50220 – Diploma of IT (Cloud Engineering)—with industry‑relevant units drawn from the current training package.
10904NAT – Diploma of Social Media Marketing for digital and social campaign roles.
BSB50420 – Diploma of Leadership and Management for people‑leadership and delivery fundamentals.
For renewable energy entry pathways, pair UEE32020 – Certificate III in Renewable Energy (ELV) with SAA‑recognised training for rooftop solar/battery accreditation where applicable.
Salary Snapshot (Indicative, Australia)
Cyber Security Analyst: AU$100k–$120k.
AI/ML Engineer: often ~AU$135k median to ~AU$170k+ for senior roles.
Cloud Engineer: AU$120k–$140k.
Data Scientist: AU$115k–$135k.
Software Developer: AU$85k–$105k.
E‑commerce Manager: AU$100k–$120k.
Digital Strategist: AU$75k–$95k.
Registered Nurse: AU$85k–$90k (higher with allowances/advanced practice).
Note: Salaries are indicative national ranges from current Australian sources; seniority, location, sector and loadings (e.g., shift work, overtime) can move figures materially.
Final Word
If you’re choosing a path for 2025, aim for roles that solve important problems (security, health, affordability, decarbonisation) and sit close to technology change (AI, cloud, data). Combine a recognised qualification with practical evidence of skill and you’ll stay ahead of the curve.
)
)
)
