Courses Compared: From the Underrated to the Overblown

Choosing what to study after school—or at any point in life—is a big decision. And while your interests should guide your choice, understanding the employment and salary outcomes of different fields is equally important.

In this guide, we explore how different courses stack up based on graduate employment rates, satisfaction, relevance to career, and starting salaries. Some high-profile degrees don’t offer the ROI you’d expect, while some lesser-hyped pathways quietly outperform. Here’s a breakdown of what you should know before making your move.

The Slow Burners

These courses take time to pay off but can lead to rewarding careers if you’re willing to stick with them.

Aeronautical Engineering

Still impressive on paper, but recent grads often face a slower entry into full-time work. Once employed, however, median salaries exceed $70,000. It’s a niche area that can be highly rewarding—eventually.

Education

Teaching is perennially essential, but job-hunting can take time, especially for new graduates. Around 24% start in part-time roles. However, full-time work is steady in the long run, with solid earning potential as you progress in your career.

Pharmacy

Graduates must complete a year of internship before full registration. While starting salaries are among the lowest (~$45,000), senior pharmacists can earn $90,000+. Long-term stability in health makes this a safe career bet.

Biological Sciences

Biology grads often pursue postgraduate education. Only ~66% say their job is directly related to their degree, and entry-level salaries sit under $50,000. It’s best suited as a foundation for research or healthcare pathways.

Architecture

Graduates often need a master’s degree to be registered. Only 60% gain full-time work within months, and entry salaries are modest. However, long-term prospects improve as more experience is gained.

Hidden Gems

These fields offer strong salaries and employment—even if they’re not always top-of-mind.

Construction

Construction grads start strong, with many earning $75,000+ in their early careers. Strong demand, especially in infrastructure and housing, continues to push job prospects upward in 2025.

Nursing

With only 5% of graduates unemployed after graduation and an average starting salary above $65,000, this is a reliable, purpose-driven career path. Demand remains high, especially in aged care and mental health.

Dentistry

Dentists are among the highest-earning grads, with starting salaries near $80,000 and low unemployment. Not for the faint-hearted, but definitely one of the most financially rewarding.

Rehabilitation and Allied Health

With Australia’s ageing population, roles like physiotherapists and occupational therapists are thriving. Employment rates exceed 80%, and demand is expected to grow significantly through 2030.

Courses That Don’t Always Pay Off Financially

Visual and Performing Arts

Passion projects dominate here. Over 50% of graduates struggle to find full-time work, and the average starting salary is ~$40,000. A creative calling—but not the most lucrative career path.

Physical Sciences

Despite being in a STEM field, employment outcomes lag. Over one-third of recent graduates report difficulty finding full-time roles, pointing to a disconnect between education and industry demand.

The Popular Kids (But Not Always Career-Ready)

These fields attract large numbers of students—but outcomes vary.

Humanities

About 41% of humanities grads are job-hunting four months after graduation. While versatile, humanities degrees rarely lead directly to specific roles without further study or work experience.

Psychology

A top enrolment choice, but only 40% of psych grads are career-ready without further study. Many pivot into HR, marketing, or counselling after upskilling. Salary: ~$48,000 entry-level.

Urban Planning

While often seen as high-growth, around 32% of grads are still looking for full-time work after four months. Entry salaries are competitive but vary with government funding and planning cycles.

Journalism

Only ~27% of journalism grads work as journalists shortly after graduation. However, many transition into PR, marketing, or digital media. It’s still a strong communication degree—just not a traditional newsroom path.

Reliable, High-Return Choices

Electrical Engineering

Boasts one of the highest graduate employment rates (86%). Starting salaries average $70,000, rising to over $170,000 for senior engineers. Strong across sectors like energy, infrastructure, and defence.

Surveying

With a skills shortage, demand is high and job placement is fast. 86.5% of grads find full-time work quickly, and wages rise quickly with experience.

Don’t Believe the Hype

Law

Prestigious, yes—but 1 in 5 grads are still seeking work months after graduating. Law is competitive, and entry salaries (~$55,000) don’t always match expectations. It can pay off—just not instantly.

Business & Commerce

Still a crowd favourite, but employment rates are middling (72%). Entry-level salaries hover around $50,000. It’s a broad field—success depends heavily on specialisation and job placement.

Top-Earning Fields in 2025

Mining Engineering

Still a top performer for graduates willing to work regionally. Employment rate: 95%+; salaries start around $90,000 and climb fast. Demand remains strong, especially in WA and QLD.

Medicine

Nearly 97% of medical grads are employed full-time thanks to structured internships. Starting salaries exceed $70,000 with huge upside in specialisations. Healthcare remains Australia’s most secure sector.

Top-Rated VET Courses (TAFE & Vocational Training)

Not all career success requires a degree. In fact, VET pathways deliver high satisfaction and job alignment across multiple industries. According to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER):

Highest Student Satisfaction

• Agriculture & Environmental Studies – 89.8%
• Society & Culture – 89.1%
• Food, Hospitality & Personal Services – 88.9%

Top Fields for Relevance to Work

• Architecture & Building – 89.5%
• Education & Training – 86.6%

Most Likely to Lead to Work

• Technicians & Trades – 88% employment rate
• 57% working in the same occupation they trained for

Want to go the VET route? Explore our TAFE and vocational course providers to get started.