When you're planning your education and future career, it’s helpful to find out which areas of study are related to high industry demand.
The Future of Jobs Report 2025, released by the World Economic Forum, identifies the largest and fastest-growing industries in the global economy over the next five years, with 78 million new jobs expected to be created worldwide by 2030.
Many of these future-focused careers align closely with courses offered by Australian universities. For example, Australia's universities consistently rank among the best in the world for subjects like artificial intelligence, healthcare, sustainability and education.
Where the jobs are growing
According to the Future of Jobs Report 2025, the top areas for new jobs worldwide relate to studies in:
- Information Technology (IT) and computing (including AI)
- Healthcare and life sciences (including nursing)
- Environmental sciences and sustainability
- Teacher education and training
- Agriculture and agritech
These areas are being shaped by major trends such as digital transformation, climate action and the growing importance of human-centred skills.
Australia's strengths in future-focused fields
Australia’s universities are globally respected, and leaders in the disciplines shaping the future workforce. Here are some examples of areas that Australia excels in:
Artificial intelligence (AI) and tech
The Future of Jobs Report 2025 showed that most of the top fastest-growing jobs are tech related. The top five jobs are:
- Big data specialists
- FinTech engineers
- AI and machine learning specialists
- Software and application developers
- Security management specialists.
Australian universities are paving the way in AI, data science, and computing. In the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject:
- 8 Australian universities are ranked in the world’s top 100 for Computer Science and Information Systems.
- 7 Australian universities are ranked in the world's top 100 for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
Health and life sciences
The Future of Jobs Report 2025 also showed that nursing, personal care aides, and social work and counselling professions, were among the top 10 largest growing jobs.
With a global shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, Australia is investing heavily in training the next generation.
Australia’s commitment to Health and life sciences education can be seen in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025:
- 17 Australian universities are ranked in the world's top 100 for Nursing courses.
- 6 Australian universities are ranked in the world's top 100 for Life sciences and Medicine.
- 6 Australian universities are ranked in the world's top 100 for Psychology.
- Monash University in Melbourne is ranked 4th in the world for Pharmacy and Pharmacology courses.
Sustainability and environment
Among the top 10 fastest growing jobs in the Future of Jobs Report 2025 were environmental engineers and renewable energy engineers.
Climate change and environmental protection are key priorities for governments and employers worldwide, and Australian universities are at the forefront of related teaching and research:
- The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability evaluates universities based on their ability to tackle the world’s greatest environmental, social and governance challenges. In the latest rankings, 14 Australian universities were in the top 100, with three of those in the top 20.
- The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking assesses the social and economic contributions of universities across the world. Australia has the most top 10 universities in the world with four universities in the overall category. Western Sydney University (WSU) ranks 1st in the world.
- In the QS World University Rankings by Subject, 8 Australian universities are ranked in the world's top 100 for environmental sciences.
Find out more about studying environmental sciences and sustainability in Australia.
Education
With both secondary and university teaching making it to the top 10 largest growing jobs, there’s never been a better time to pursue a career in education.
Australia is a global leader in this field with:
- 5 Australian universities ranked in the world’s top 50 for education and training courses in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025.
- 9 universities ranked in the world’s top 100 for education studies in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025.
Australian education providers offer world-class teaching qualifications, practical experience and a pathway to making lasting impact for future generations.
Head to our Masterclass library to watch some of Australia’s most renowned academics shine a light on the global issues defining our future.
Agriculture and agritech
Farmworkers and other agricultural workers are number one in the top 10 largest growing jobs.
Australia is known for its diverse ecosystems and natural environments, smart farming (agritech) know-how and sustainable agriculture practices, making it an amazing place to study agriculture.
Qualifications from Australian education providers meet the highest standards with 6 Australian universities ranked in the world’s top 100 for Agriculture and Forestry (Source: QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025).
Skills demand in Australia
Australia’s new Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) enables Australian employers to address workforce shortages by hiring skilled workers where there is a skills need. This can include hiring international graduates who are in Australia on a Temporary Graduate visa (TGV) subclass 485.
The Australian Government’s Core Skills Occupation List highlights the need to attract talent in high-demand areas such as those explored above.
Your future career starts here
There are 43 quality assured universities in Australia to choose from and so many courses to explore! Australia also offers programs on campus and at provider partners around the world.
Head to our Course Search tool to start exploring and enquiring today.