Bachelor degrees in Australia with high graduate employment rates was one of those things I researched obsessively before coming here. I needed to know which degrees actually led to jobs, not just which ones sounded impressive. I needed real numbers, not marketing promises. And I needed to understand what those numbers actually meant.
Three years later, I’m finishing my Master’s at the University of Melbourne. I’ve watched friends graduate with different degrees, and I’ve seen how their job searches played out. Some degrees led to jobs quickly. Some degrees led to jobs eventually. Some degrees led to jobs that had nothing to do with the degree.
So here’s everything I know about bachelor degrees with high graduate employment rates in Australia, based on what actually happens to real graduates.
What Employment Rates Actually Mean
Let me start with this, because I got confused about it at first.
When universities talk about graduate employment rates, they’re usually talking about the percentage of graduates who are employed within a certain time period, usually four months after graduation. But here’s what they don’t tell you: employed doesn’t mean employed in your field. It doesn’t mean employed full time. It doesn’t mean employed at a good salary.
A graduate working at a cafe counts as employed. A graduate working part time in an unrelated field counts as employed. A graduate working in a job that doesn’t require a degree counts as employed.
So high employment rates don’t always mean good outcomes. They just mean most graduates found some kind of work.
That said, some degrees do have genuinely good employment outcomes. Some degrees lead to jobs in the field, at good salaries, with career prospects. And those are the degrees worth knowing about.
The Degrees That Actually Lead to Jobs
Based on real data and what I’ve seen, here are the bachelor degrees that consistently lead to good employment outcomes:
Nursing has excellent employment rates, usually 85% to 95% employed within four months, and most in the field. There’s a shortage of nurses in Australia, and the demand isn’t going away. Salaries start around $60,000 to $70,000, which is solid for a new graduate.
Engineering has good employment rates, usually 75% to 85% employed within four months. But it varies by specialisation. Civil engineering and mining engineering have better outcomes than some other specialisations. Salaries start around $65,000 to $75,000.
IT and computer science have good employment rates, usually 70% to 80% employed within four months. The tech industry is growing, and there’s demand for skilled workers. But competition is fierce, and you need to keep your skills current. Salaries start around $60,000 to $70,000.
Accounting has solid employment rates, usually 70% to 80% employed within four months. There’s always demand for accountants, and the profession is well regulated. But you’ll need to do further study for professional qualifications. Salaries start around $55,000 to $65,000.
Teaching has good employment rates, usually 75% to 85% employed within four months. There’s a shortage of teachers in many areas, especially in regional Australia. But you need to be registered, which requires further checks and qualifications. Salaries start around $65,000 to $75,000.
The Degrees That Are More Risky
Some degrees have lower employment rates or less clear pathways to jobs:
Arts and humanities degrees have lower employment rates, usually 60% to 70% employed within four months. Many graduates end up in jobs that don’t require their specific degree. That doesn’t mean the degree is worthless, but it means you need to be strategic about building skills and experience.
Science degrees vary massively. Some specialisations like data science or biotechnology have good outcomes. Others like pure mathematics or theoretical physics have fewer direct job pathways. Employment rates are usually 65% to 75%, but many graduates end up in unrelated fields or doing further study.
Business and commerce degrees are popular but competitive. Employment rates are usually 65% to 75%, but many graduates end up in generic business roles that don’t require a specific degree. You need to differentiate yourself with experience, internships, and specialisation.
Law degrees have decent employment rates, usually 70% to 80%, but the legal job market is competitive. Many graduates don’t end up as lawyers, and those who do often start in lower paid roles. You also need to do further study and practical training.
Why Employment Rates Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Here’s what I learned the hard way: employment rates don’t tell you about job quality, salaries, or career prospects.
A degree with 90% employment might mean 90% of graduates are working at cafes or call centres. A degree with 70% employment might mean 70% of graduates are working in well paid professional roles.
Employment rates also don’t separate international students from domestic students. International students often face additional challenges: visa restrictions, language barriers, lack of local networks, and employer preferences for local candidates.
I know international students with degrees that have high employment rates who still struggled to find jobs. I also know international students with degrees that have lower employment rates who found great jobs because they were strategic about building experience and networks.
What Actually Matters for Getting a Job
Based on what I’ve seen, here’s what actually matters:
Your degree matters, but less than you think. Employers care more about your skills, experience, and how well you can do the job. A relevant degree helps, but it’s not everything.
Work experience matters a lot. Internships, part time work in your field, volunteer work, projects. Anything that shows you can actually do the work. I know students who got jobs because of their work experience, not because of their degree.
Networking matters. Most jobs aren’t advertised, or they’re filled through referrals. Building relationships with people in your industry helps you hear about opportunities and get recommendations.
Your attitude and communication skills matter. Can you work in a team? Can you communicate clearly? Can you solve problems? These soft skills matter more than your specific degree.
Your visa status matters. Some employers prefer candidates who don’t need visa sponsorship. Some are open to it. Some actively recruit international students. Understanding your visa options and being able to explain them clearly helps.
The Reality for International Students
Let me be honest about this, because I wish someone had been honest with me.
International students face additional challenges in the job market. Employers sometimes prefer local candidates. Visa restrictions limit work options. Language barriers can be an issue. Lack of local networks makes it harder to hear about opportunities.
That said, many international students do find good jobs. The ones who succeed usually have: relevant work experience, strong English skills, good grades, and a strategic approach to job searching.
Some degrees are better for international students than others. Nursing, engineering, IT, and accounting tend to have better outcomes because there’s genuine demand and employers are more open to international candidates.
Some degrees are harder for international students. Law, journalism, and some arts fields can be more challenging because they rely heavily on local networks and cultural knowledge.
How to Choose Based on Employment Outcomes
If employment outcomes are important to you, here’s how to think about it:
Look at employment rates, but also look at what graduates actually do. Check if graduates are working in their field, at what salaries, and with what career prospects.
Talk to recent graduates. They’ll tell you the real story about job searching, what employers are looking for, and what the market is actually like.
Consider your visa situation. Some degrees lead to jobs that are on skilled migration lists, which can help with PR. Others don’t.
Think about work experience opportunities. Some degrees have better internship and work placement programs. Some industries are more open to hiring students for part time work.
Be realistic about competition. Popular degrees are competitive. You’ll need to work hard, build experience, and differentiate yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bachelor degree has the highest employment rate in Australia?
Nursing typically has the highest employment rate, usually 85% to 95% employed within four months. But high employment rates don’t always mean good outcomes. Look at what graduates actually do, not just whether they’re employed.
Do employment rates apply to international students?
Not necessarily. Employment rate data usually combines international and domestic students. International students often face additional challenges, so their outcomes might be different. Talk to international student graduates to get the real picture.
Can I get a job with a degree that has low employment rates?
Yes, but you’ll need to be strategic. Build work experience, develop relevant skills, network actively, and be flexible about your career path. A degree with lower employment rates doesn’t mean you can’t get a job, it just means you need to work harder to stand out.
Should I choose a degree based on employment rates?
Not entirely. Employment rates are one factor, but also consider: what you’re interested in, what you’re good at, what your long term goals are, and what the actual job market is like. A degree you hate with high employment rates might not be worth it.
How do I find out real employment outcomes for a degree?
Talk to recent graduates, check university career services for data, look at industry reports, and search job sites to see what’s actually available. Don’t just trust university marketing materials.
Do employment rates change over time?
Yes. Job markets change, industries grow and shrink, and demand for different skills shifts. A degree with good employment rates now might not have good rates in three or four years. But some degrees are more stable than others.
Final Thoughts
Bachelor degrees with high graduate employment rates in Australia aren’t a guarantee of a job. They’re an indicator of demand, but you still need to work hard, build experience, and be strategic about your career.
Don’t choose a degree based only on employment rates. But don’t ignore them either. Look at what graduates actually do, talk to real graduates, and be honest with yourself about what you want and what you’re willing to do to get it.
I’ve made plenty of mistakes since landing in Melbourne, but each one taught me something. The biggest lesson? Your degree matters, but your skills, experience, and attitude matter more. Focus on building those, regardless of which degree you choose.
If you’re still planning your study journey, check out my guides on best bachelor degrees for international students and how to build work experience while studying. And if you’re already studying, start building experience now. Don’t wait until graduation. The students who get jobs are usually the ones who started preparing early.