Best Jobs in Australia 2026: In-Demand Careers with High Pay and Visa Pathways

Australia's 2026 job market needs skilled workers in healthcare, IT, mining/construction, and engineering. Salaries range from AUD$118k base for FIFO roles to $850k+ for medical specialists. These sectors boom because of aging populations, tech growth, and AUD$120 billion infrastructure pipelines (Info Apksundays, 2025; Aussie Work, 2025). Skilled migrants, international students, job seekers, and graduates eyeing visas or PR can use roles on PMSOL/MLTSSL lists like subclass 189/190/491 for faster pathways, especially with 65+ points, skills assessments, and English proficiency (EduProfound, 2025; Simon Mander, 2025; Department of Home Affairs).

This won't work if you lack relevant qualifications, experience, or points (65+ required for most visas). Graduate hiring has slowed, with postings down 24% from 2023 peaks (Indeed Hiring Lab, 2025; ABS). Check the Evidence Pack table below to find your best match by salary, demand, and migrant suitability.

Top In-Demand Sectors Shaping Australia's 2026 Job Market

Healthcare, IT, mining/construction, and engineering drive Australia's 2026 demand, powered by an aging population, digital transformation, and infrastructure booms. National fill rates sit at 69.7%, with regional shortages hitting harder at 64.3% versus metros. This creates openings for skilled migrants in health professions, tech work, and trades (PSS Removals, March 2025).

Healthcare grows steadily from public health priorities and facility expansions, with doctors earning AUD$200k–$350k for GPs (MedRecruit, 2024). IT thrives in Sydney and Melbourne hubs like Silicon Beach, driven by cybersecurity, AI, and cloud needs (CareerWidth, 2025). Mining and construction benefit from resource sectors and a AUD$120B pipeline, while engineering faces ongoing shortages (Info Apksundays, 2025). Graduate demand lags skilled roles after a 24% postings drop since 2023, but shortages persist (Indeed Hiring Lab, 2025).

Healthcare and IT give migrants the strongest entry points because shortages won't let up.

Highest Paying Jobs Australia 2026: Salary Breakdowns by Role

Medical specialists and FIFO mining roles lead 2026 pay, with doctors reaching AUD$200k–$850k+ and FIFO bases at AUD$118k plus 50–70% loadings from shifts, weekends, and holidays. Pay reflects experience levels, with private practice pushing physicians over AUD$600k (MedRecruit, 2024; Aussie Work, 2025; StudiesInOverseas, 2025).

IT managers and professors hit AUD$130k–$200k, while surgeons and anesthetists exceed $600k in large organizations (Remitly, 2025). Expect 3.5% annual wage rises amid GDP growth below 4% unemployment (industry data, 2024). For migrants, FIFO in Pilbara offers premiums but roster trade-offs; medical roles provide stability if your qualifications line up.

Medical specialists and FIFO mining lead pay, with IT close behind for skilled entrants.

Healthcare Jobs Australia Salary 2026 vs. IT/Tech Demand

Healthcare beats IT in top pay (GPs AUD$200k–$350k, specialists $350k–$850k) but requires advanced qualifications; IT cyber and software engineers offer AUD$150k–$200k with faster entry on PMSOL (MedRecruit, 2024; StudiesInOverseas, 2025; Simon Mander, 2025). Healthcare suits long-term PR seekers despite training; IT fits competitive city hubs but faces saturation risks.

Healthcare offers stability and high pay; IT gives quicker access for tech skills.

Best Jobs for Migrants: Skilled Occupation Lists and PMSOL 2026

PMSOL/MLTSSL/STSOL put health (nurses, aged care), tech (cyber and software engineers), trades (electricians, diesel mechanics), and engineering (civil and renewables) first for visas 189/190/491 (NovenAI, 2025; Simon Mander, 2025). Confirm your occupation on lists via Department of Home Affairs. Skilled migrants fill 60%+ of key roles; you need 18–44 age, 65+ points (invites often 75–90), skills assessment, Competent English (EduProfound, 2025).

Steps for visa alignment:

• Confirm occupation on lists via Home Affairs: Check PMSOL/MLTSSL/STSOL (pros: fast-track invites; cons: competitive).
• Secure skills assessment (6–10 weeks): Essential for engineers and trades (pros: validates qualifications; cons: costs $500+).
• Pass English test: IELTS/PTE required (pros: boosts points; cons: retakes common).
• Upload to ImmiAccount (passport, experience letters): Final step (pros: PR pathway; cons: delays if documents incomplete).
  Nurses in telehealth excel regionally for PR; skip if you're under 65 points or have no experience.

PMSOL health and tech roles give migrants the clearest visa paths with strong demand.

FIFO and Tradie Jobs Pay: Mining/Construction Outlook 2026

FIFO mining averages AUD$118k base +15–250% loadings (afternoon shifts +15–17.5%, holidays +150–250%), yielding 50–70% uplifts, especially in Pilbara (Aussie Work, 2025). Trades like electricians and construction managers hit $100k+ amid $120B infrastructure (Info Apksundays, 2025; Leapscholar, historical, 2024).

Entry steps: Gain AQF certs or Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), get your skills recognized for sites (Remitly, 2025). High pay trades lifestyle for remote rosters.

FIFO and trades deliver top regional pay but demand roster flexibility.

Regional vs. City Jobs: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane Pay Differences

Regional roles face 64.3% fill rates, worsening shortages in SA health and trades and QLD mining and infrastructure for 2032 Olympics (PSS Removals, 2025; ICAustralia, 2025). Project management pays $220k–$260k in Melbourne and Sydney; Brisbane booms on infrastructure (Remitly, 2025). Skilled workers thrive regionally for PR despite graduate slowdowns (Indeed Hiring Lab, 2025).

Regional shortages boost PR chances over city competition.

Evidence Pack

Job Decision Matrix

Graduate and Entry-Level Opportunities Amid Cooling Market

Graduate postings fell 24% from 2023 and 20% below 2024, with early 2025 at 16% under prior year, amid 1.1M job-ready unemployed (Indeed Hiring Lab, 2025; ABC/ABS, 2025). Engineering grads hold 87% employment (Engineers Australia, historical, 2021–22). Choose trades or vocational paths over saturated graduate roles.

Skilled trades outperform cooling graduate markets.

FAQ

Which jobs are on Australia's Skilled Occupation List 2026?
PMSOL/MLTSSL/STSOL feature health (nurses, aged care), tech (cyber and software engineers), trades (electricians), and engineering (civil and renewables), updated annually by Home Affairs (NovenAI, 2025; Simon Mander, 2025).

What are FIFO jobs Australia salary expectations?
Bases average AUD$118k +50–70% from loadings (shifts +15–250%), highest in Pilbara mining; lifestyle involves remote rosters (Aussie Work, 2025).

Best paying jobs in Sydney vs. Melbourne 2026?
Project management at $260k Sydney vs. $220k Melbourne; IT and health stronger in both, with Sydney's tech hubs edging ahead (Remitly, 2025).

Healthcare jobs Australia salary for migrants?
GPs $200k–$350k, specialists $350k–$850k; PMSOL priority helps PR for nurses ($85k–$150k) with AQF certs (industry data, 2024).

In-demand IT tech jobs Australia 2026?
Cyber and software engineers ($150k–$200k) on PMSOL, booming in Sydney and Melbourne for AI, cloud, and cybersecurity (CareerWidth, 2025; Simon Mander, 2025).

Graduate jobs Australia 2026 outlook?
Postings down 24% from 2023 and 20% from 2024; engineering at 87% employed, but pivot to skilled trades amid 1.1M job-ready pool (Indeed Hiring Lab, 2025).

Apply This to Your Situation

1. Does your skill match PMSOL, health, or tech lists?
2. Can you score 65+ points (age, experience, English)?
3. Prefer city pay or regional PR paths?

Next Steps

Check your occupation on the Department of Home Affairs lists and get a free skills assessment. Search Seek or Indeed for 2026 postings in target states, focusing on regional shortages.