It’s one of the most common complaints of recent university graduates – no one wants to hire someone who has the qualification but no on-the-job experience. Young Aussies are now putting down the books and getting jobs straight out of high school, which some experts say is the smarter way to start your journey into the world of full-time work.
Although some careers require degrees, such as medicine, there are still a lot of opportunities for high-paying jobs that don’t require you to spend four years at university. If studying late into the night and living off instant noodles doesn’t appeal to you, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice to work in a well-paid job. The game has changed with employers looking beyond traditional university degrees, and are now looking to hire people with life and work experience.
A bachelor degree can cost up to $30,000 over the course of four years, which only increases the longer it takes for you to pay off your student loans. Starting your career without a HECS-HELP debt is a great benefit and means you can still earn the big bucks!
1. Real Estate Agent – $65,613-$89,713
Got the gift of the gab and the skills of a killer negotiator? Real estate has great earning potential with most real estate agents earning a base salary on top of a commission on sales. Sure you’ll have to work on the weekends but with Australia’s strong performing property market, working as a realtor means you’ll be making a motza.
To get your foot in the door, most real estate businesses offer traineeships and if you wish to continue further in this career, you will eventually have to earn a license qualification. You will need to become certified by taking a real estate course .
2. Personal or Executive Assistant– $64,438-$74,143
If you’re a team player, working as a personal or executive assistant is a great way to get office experience and learn under a business professional. Both roles provide secretarial support and would suit anyone who is a natural multi-tasker and has stellar organisational skills. An executive assistant goes a step further than a personal assistant and can also produce reports and assist with projects, usually for high-level executives.
A secretarial position can be a natural next step for anyone working in admin who has developed a strong understanding of the ins and outs of a business. Employers will sometimes be looking for a certificate-level qualification like a Certificate IV in Business Administration or Diploma of Business Administration.
3. Community Services Support Worker – $60,261-$72,591
Working as a support worker in the community services sector is a challenging yet highly rewarding career path. The work is very diverse, however it generally involves helping Australian families in need by empowering them with information and services. Community services is all about helping vulnerable individuals get back on track by providing support for their financial, health, family or social needs.
In terms of educational requirements, employers don’t always require you to hold a university degree but they do look favourably upon vocational qualifications such as a Certificate IV in Youth Work, a Certificate IV in Mental Health or similar courses in community services or social work.
4. Dental Assistant – $56,331-$72,572
A dental assistant (also referred to as a dental nurse) prepares patients for procedures and x-rays and helps with dental treatments. If you’re interested in becoming a dental assistant, you’ll need strong communication skills and the ability to multi-task and stay organised.
You won’t need a university degree to work as a dental assistant, but you will be required to complete some on-the-job training, which is usually paid for by the practice. Alternatively you can also complete a course like a Certificate III in Dental Assisting to make it easier to get a foot in the door.
5. Bookkeeper – $52,000-$64,000
If you’ve got a good head for numbers and an eye for detail, bookkeepers continue to be in hot demand. Bookkeepers usually work for small to medium businesses, and provide financial data input and organise things such as calculating wages and processing accounts payable and receivable.
Employers looking for a bookkeeper will commonly require good computer skills and a vocational qualification like a Certificate IV in Bookkeeping.
Want to upskill without the years of study and hefty debt university degrees come with? Check out our range of TAFE courses.