Careers & jobs · Guide

How to choose a career

Choosing a career can feel like one huge decision. It's easier as a series of small ones - understanding what suits you, researching real jobs, trying things out, and keeping your options open. Here's a practical approach, with the free Australian tools that help.

AUSBUSINESS
Last reviewed · 3 min read
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Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
General information only. This guide is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. It doesn't take your circumstances into account. For advice about your situation, talk to a licensed professional.

In short

  • Start with you - what you enjoy, what you're good at, and what matters to you in a job.
  • Research real jobs - what people actually do, pay, conditions and demand - using free government career tools.
  • Test before you commit - talk to people in the job, try work experience, volunteering or a short course.
  • Look at where the work is heading, including how AI is changing tasks in many jobs.
  • A first career choice isn't permanent. Most people change direction several times.

Step 1: Start with you

Before looking at job titles, spend an hour on these questions. Write the answers down.

  • Interests: what do you enjoy doing, reading about or talking about? What do you lose track of time doing?
  • Strengths: what do people ask your help with? What subjects, tasks or jobs have you done well?
  • Work style: do you prefer working with people, things, ideas or data? Indoors or outdoors? Routine or variety? Alone or in a team?
  • Values: what matters most: income, security, flexibility, helping people, creativity, status, location?
  • Practical limits: how long can you study, what can you afford, and where do you want to live?

Free quizzes on the government’s Your Career website can help you put words to your interests and suggest occupations to explore.

Step 2: Research real jobs

Make a shortlist of five to ten occupations, then find out for each:

  • What people actually do day to day, not just the glamorous parts.
  • Pay at the start and after five years.
  • Demand: is employment growing, and where are the jobs?
  • Entry requirements: qualifications, licences, experience.
  • Conditions: hours, shift work, travel, physical demands, job security.

Government career sites such as Your Career bring together occupation profiles, pay, outlook and training pathways for Australian jobs.

Step 3: Talk to people who do the job

Nothing beats a 20-minute conversation with someone in the role. Ask:

  • “What does a typical week look like?”
  • “What do you enjoy most and least?”
  • “How did you get into it, and what would you do differently?”
  • “What’s changing in your field?”

Reach out through family and friends, LinkedIn, industry associations or alumni networks. Most people are happy to help someone curious about their work.

Step 4: Test before you commit

Try options cheaply before investing years in study:

  • Work experience or job shadowing.
  • Volunteering in a related area.
  • Casual or part-time work in the industry.
  • A short course or single subject before a full qualification.
  • Online taster courses, many of them free.

Pay attention to how you feel doing the work, not just whether you can do it.

Step 5: Look at where work is heading

  • Growing areas in Australia include health and aged care, construction and trades, technology and digital, and clean energy.
  • AI and automation are changing tasks in many jobs, especially routine writing, data and admin work. Jobs that combine technical skills with judgement, care, hands-on work or relationships tend to be more resilient. Whatever you choose, being confident with AI tools is becoming a useful skill.
  • Transferable skills, such as communication, problem-solving, digital literacy and working with people, are valuable in almost any career.

Step 6: Plan your pathway

For your top one or two options, map the route:

  • Training: TAFE or another vocational provider, university, apprenticeship or traineeship, or on-the-job learning. See Choosing courses and qualifications and Trades and apprenticeships.
  • Cost and time, and support such as Free TAFE places, student loans or employer-funded training.
  • First steps you can take in the next month.

Keep it flexible

Your first choice isn’t a life sentence. Most people change jobs and even careers several times. Build skills that travel, keep learning, and review your direction every year or two. See Changing careers.