health and social care.

The highest-paying jobs in healthcare include surgeons, anaesthetists and obstetricians, often topping the list due to the complexity of their work. Other high-paying healthcare jobs include psychiatrists, general practitioners and emergency medicine physicians. Dentists and orthodontists earn competitive salaries, especially in private practice. Senior healthcare executives and medical directors also earn high remuneration through leadership roles.

Healthcare and social assistance jobs comprise professions aimed at improving physical and mental well-being. These include roles like doctors, nurses, paramedics, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. In the social care sector, jobs include aged care workers, social workers, mental health support staff and disability support workers.

As a social worker, you support people-facing issues such as mental health struggles, housing instability, family violence and financial hardship. You work with individuals, families, and communities to cope with challenges and improve their well-being. As a social worker, you assess client needs, provide counselling, connect them with services and advocate for their rights. You work in various settings, including hospitals, government agencies, schools and aged care.

To become a social worker in Australia, you need a bachelor's degree in social work or a related degree accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). If you already hold an undergraduate degree, you can pursue a qualifying master's degree, such as a Master of Social Work. After graduating, apply for AASW membership and complete the practical fieldwork placements during your studies to gain essential hands-on experience.

Average social worker salaries range from $85,000 to $105,000 per year based on qualifications and experience. Entry-level social workers start with a lower remuneration due to limited experience, while senior social workers command higher salaries. Remuneration can vary depending on qualifications, location, experience and area of specialisation. For instance, specialised roles, like clinical social workers, attract higher remuneration.

As an assistant in nursing, you are a healthcare support worker who provides essential care to patients under the supervision of registered or enrolled nurses. In Australia, an assistant in nursing may work in hospitals, aged care facilities and community health settings. The duties of an assistant in nursing include helping patients with daily activities like feeding and bathing or monitoring vital signs.

Travel nursing is a specialised role where qualified nurses take on short-term positions in various healthcare facilities, often across different regions and states. As a travel nurse, you work in hospitals, remote community clinics and aged care homes experiencing staff shortages. Travel nurse jobs allow you to explore new locations while gaining diverse clinical experience. You perform all the duties of a licensed nurse, including patient care, health monitoring and patient monitoring.