The Grad Stats Are Out – and Here Are the Biggest Earners

Choosing a university degree is a major decision—and it often comes with one big question: What will I earn after I graduate? Whether you’re preparing to enrol or considering a career change, the latest data from the Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS) offers insight into which qualifications lead to strong salaries and job prospects in Australia.

This guide breaks down the top-paying graduate degrees, employment trends, and how satisfaction levels stack up in 2025.

Graduate Employment in 2025: A Stable Outlook

The Australian graduate labour market continues to recover and stabilise following the disruptions of recent years. As of the latest GOS data:

• 79.5% of graduates from bachelor’s degrees found full-time work within four months of finishing their course
• The graduate unemployment rate sits around 3.1%, well below the national average for young adults

In other words, a university degree still offers a strong foundation for career security—especially when combined with work-integrated learning and transferable skills.

Top-Earning Graduate Degrees in Australia (2024–25)

While salary shouldn’t be the only factor when choosing a career path, it’s worth knowing which qualifications deliver higher-than-average earnings early on. According to the GOS and Labour Market Insights data, these are the highest median graduate starting salaries:

• Medicine: $85,000
• Dentistry: $85,000
• Optometry: $80,000
• Engineering: $75,000
• Information Technology / Computer Science: $72,000

These salary levels reflect full-time earnings within the first year of completing a bachelor’s degree. Not surprisingly, degrees in healthcare, engineering, and IT and computer science continue to dominate the top spots due to sustained skills shortages and strong industry demand.

Graduate Salaries by State and Territory

Location can also influence what you earn after graduation. In 2024, the highest median starting salaries were recorded in:

1. Western Australia
2. Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
3. Northern Territory

Western Australia’s strong performance is largely tied to its thriving resources, engineering, and healthcare sectors. In contrast, Victorian graduates reported the lowest median starting salaries—likely due to higher competition and cost of living pressures in metropolitan areas.

With more employers embracing hybrid and remote work, regional salary gaps may continue to shrink over time.

Are Graduates Still Satisfied with Their Studies?

Yes—very much so. In 2024:

• 85% of recent graduates reported being satisfied with their university experience
• Students rated quality of teaching, learning resources, and career preparation highly

These results are based on over 100,000 responses from graduates of Australian universities and private higher education providers.

Degrees Offer Long-Term Benefits—Not Just a First Job

While salary matters, long-term value lies in the ability to pivot, grow and upskill. As Dr David de Carvalho, CEO of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, said:

“A degree offers not just a first job—but a foundation for a lifetime of adaptability, opportunity and growth.”

Whether you’re a school leaver, mid-career professional or parent returning to work, building a future-focused qualification is one of the smartest investments you can make.

Ready to begin? Explore online and flexible course options in fast-growing industries like healthcare, tech, business and education.