Aussies provide local insight on the best and worst jobs for immigrants

Australia has increased its immigration intake, yet it now ranks as the 13^th most expensive destination globally[1], with a record 900,000 of the population taking on a second job last year[2]. To help incoming immigrants who may be figuring out how to make ends meet, new research from an immigration information platform has uncovered which industries deliver the best jobs, as voted by Australians. 

Immigration assistance and advice platform Immigration to Australia commissioned a survey of an independent panel of 1002 Australians to gauge their opinions on the best three and worst three industries to work in. Respondents were asked to choose the best and worst three industries for jobs for immigrants, from a list of 17 key industries in Australia and their corresponding average weekly salaries, using Australian Bureau of Statistics data. When making their decisions, respondents were asked to consider the wages and responsibilities of the jobs in those industries. The full results, with age and State breakdowns, can be found here: https://immigration2australia.com/best-and-worst-jobs-in-australia/.

The industries and average salaries presented to respondents were:

1. Mining ($2497 per week)
2. Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services ($1855 per week)
3. Financial and Insurance Services ($1700 per week)
4. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services ($1692 per week)
5. Public Administration and Safety ($1620 per week)
6. Information Media and Telecommunications ($1600 per week)
7. Construction ($1380 per week)
8. Transport, Postal and Warehousing ($1355 per week)
9. Manufacturing ($1300 per week)
10. Wholesale Trade ($1300 per week)
11. Education and Training ($1299 per week)
12. Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services ($1201 per week)
13. Health Care and Social Assistance ($1150 per week)
14. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing ($1100 per week)
15. Arts and Recreation Services ($1000 per week)
16. Retail Trade ($800 per week)
17. Accommodation and Food Services ($600 per week).

As per the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the median Australian employee earning is $1250 per week[3], while average weekly housing costs are $493 for owners with a mortgage and $379 for renters[4]. The average monthly cost of living for a family of four in Australia is $5540.80 ($1385.27 per week) excluding rent and $1573.10 ($393.28 per week) for a single person excluding rent.[5]

The best three industries for jobs: mining, construction and utilities

With the highest average salary, mining was chosen by the largest proportion (51 per cent) of respondents as the best industry for work. This came despite risk of serious injury and typically laborious job tasks. In 2021 there were six miner fatalities[6] and 117 serious injuries, of which 45 per cent involved fractures and 35 per cent involved wounds, lacerations, amputations and internal organ damage.[7]

The second-best industry for work is construction, chosen by 32 per cent of respondents – despite the industry’s 7^th place ranking on the pay-grade scale. The third best industry for work – chosen by 29 per cent of respondents – is electricity, gas, water and waste services.

Older Australians are more likely to view mining, construction, professional, scientific and technical services, manufacturing and health care and social services as better industries than younger Australians. In particular, a higher proportion of older respondents chose construction as a top industry for immigrants to work in: the industry was chosen by 41 per cent of over-65s, compared with 28 per cent of 35-54s and 26 per cent of under-35s.

Younger Australians are more likely to choose agriculture, forestry and fishing, electricity, gas, water and waste services, financial and insurance services, and arts and recreation services as top industries than older Australians. Electricity, gas, water and waste services was chosen by 38 per cent of under-35s, compared with 25 per cent of 35-54s and 23 per cent of over-65s.

Western Australia has one third of Australia’s mines, while Queensland has a quarter and NSW has one-fifth. Respondents in these states chose mining as a top-three industry residents more readily: 53 per cent in WA and an equal 52 per cent in Queensland and NSW.

With Sydney the financial hub of Australia’s business sector, it’s no wonder a higher proportion (28 per cent) of NSW respondents chose financial and insurance services as a top-three industry. This compares with an equal 20 per cent of Victorians and South Australians, 19 per cent of West Australians and 18 per cent of Queenslanders.

The worst three industries for jobs: retail, accommodation and food, and arts and recreation

Retail trade, which placed second last in the pay-grade scale, attracted the highest proportion of votes (46 per cent) for the worst industry for immigrants. Accommodation and food services followed closely behind, chosen by 45 per cent of respondents. Coming in at third place was arts and recreation services, chosen by a third (33 per cent) of respondents.

Younger Australians who are more likely to be working in accommodation and food services are more likely to choose this industry as one of the worst three industries in Australia: 47 per cent of under-35s chose this as a worst-three industry – compared with 45 per cent of 35-54s and 44 per cent of those 35-44s.

Mining, however, proved to be a polarising industry in Western Australia. Despite more than half of respondents in the state having chosen mining as the best industry, one third (35 per cent) perceive it as a worst-three industry. This compares with 21 per cent of Victorians, 20 per cent of South Australians, 18 per cent of Queenslanders and 16 per cent of NSW residents who chose mining as a worst-three industry.

Founder and CEO of Immigration to Australia Alon Rajic says: “While there is some correlation between best and worst industries and the wages these industries pay, it appears that a good proportion of Australians agree that some high-paying industries are not worth working in due to difficulty of their job tasks. We believe this local insight will prove valuable to the many immigrants moving to Australia this year, and who have little understanding of Australian industries, working conditions and salaries.”

The full results, with age and State breakdowns, can be found here: https://immigration2australia.com/best-and-worst-jobs-in-australia/

About Immigration to Australia
Immigration to Australia is an online platform that covers the practical things involved in Australian immigration, helping migrants to save time and avoid common costly mistakes. The content is based on the knowledge and practical experience of people who have successfully immigrated to Australia and includes tips for successful Australian immigration including types of visas, working and finding a job, studying, opening a business, culture, enjoying the Australian lifestyle, cost of living, and where to live. https://immigration2australia.com/