Sector snapshot: healthcare

Posted 13 Apr 2015, by Vivien Luu

Thinking of joining the healthcare industry but not sure where to start? Or perhaps you're working out your next move and want to see what areas are on the up. We've put together a comprehensive overview of the sector so that you can weigh up your options, compare salaries and make an informed decision about your future – so don't wait any longer!

1. What does the industry look like?

Data from Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency 2013 industry reports.

The health sector has a strong outlook for growth and great employment prospects.

According to the Department of Employment, the industry can expect to grow by 16.3% between 2013 and 2018, which equates to an additional 229,400 jobs.

This growth can be attributed to:

Australia's ageing population
The National Disability Insurance Scheme

2. Which areas in healthcare will boom?

According to the Deloitte's Positioning for Prosperity report.

3. Will it be easy to find a job?

Healthcare workers can expect good employment prospects, however job opportunities vary between different professions and specialties.

Occupations	Future employment (from 2013 - 18)	Future job openings (from 2013 - 18)
Care workers Registered nurses	> 12.1%	> 50,000
Doctors (GP) Psychologists Healthcare managers	> 12.1%	10,001 - 25,000
Occupational therapists Radiographers Nurse managers Midwives	> 12.1%	5,001 - 10,000
Podiatrists Anaesthetists Surgeons Psychiatrists Doctors (other)	> 12.1%	≤ 5000
Dental assistants Physiotherapists Paramedics Massage therapists Dentists	8.5 - 12%	10,000 - 25,000
Dietitians Speech pathologists Nurse educators	8.5 - 12%	≤ 5000
Enrolled nurses Medical technician Pharmacists Optometrists Dental hygienists Complementary health therapists	5.1 - 8.4%	10,001 - 25,000

Data from the 2014 Australian Jobs report.

4. What about qualifications and training?

The health industry is one of the most highly skilled sectors with many health occupations demanding a tertiary qualification. Moving into the future, this trend will continue.

In 2011, 76% of health professionals held a bachelor degree or higher.

According to projections from the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency, by 2025 between 79% and 85% of health workers will have a university education.

5. What's the pay like?

Data from the 2014 Australian Jobs report.

7. What does my competition look like?

Occupations	Part-time %	Female %	Median age
Ambulance officers and paramedics	14	33	40
Anaesthetists	25	25	39
Care workers, nursing support and personal	58	81	43
Care workers, special	37	68	40
Carers, aged and disabled	64	82	48
Complementary health therapists	51	69	48
Dental assistants	47	98	31
Dental hygenists, technicians and therapists	42	64	44
Dental practitioners	40	32	42
Dietitians	54	95	32
Managers, health and welfare services	14	72	49
Message therapists	61	70	37
Medical imaging professionals	23	62	35
Medical practitioner, general	20	43	43
Medical practitioner, other	17	54	44
Medical technicians	42	77	41
Midwives	53	100	47
Nurse educators and researchers	26	91	50
Nurse managers	20	88	49
Nurses, enrolled	52	91	45
Nurses, registered	48	90	43
Nursing support and personal care workers	58	81	43
Occupational therapists	37	89	31
Optometrists and orthoptists	23	56	31
Pharmacists	27	64	35
Physiotherapists	35	60	35
Podiatrists	22	49	31
Psychiatrists	25	37	45
Psychologists	32	81	41
Speech pathologists and audiologists	40	93	34
Surgeons	13	18	45