Thinking about a new job or career change in 2026? You’re not alone. New SEEK data reveals the roles Australians are racing to fill — with some paying up to $225,000 a year.
Health Sector Leads the Way
According to fresh figures from job platform SEEK, healthcare remains the country’s most in-demand industry. Despite job ads overall falling 1.9 per cent year-on-year, the sector is still battling shortages across hospitals, clinics, and aged-care facilities.
Nursing and general practice roles are leading the charge. Aged care nursing jobs have recorded some of the biggest ad growth on SEEK, with registered nurses in this area earning an average salary of $90,000, while theatre nurses average around $100,000. Both categories are expected to grow by 13.9 per cent over the next five years.
For those at the top of the medical chain, the numbers climb even higher. General practitioners earn an average of $225,000 per year, with job growth projected at 10.2 per cent over the same period. The increase reflects Australia’s growing population and ongoing demand for primary care services.
The broader aged and disability support sector is also holding strong. Support workers in this field earn between $73,000 and $75,000, and SEEK projects a massive 28 per cent five-year growth as the country’s ageing population continues to expand.
Beyond Health: Construction and Warehousing on the Rise
Outside of healthcare, several other industries are heating up. The construction sector is benefitting from rising dwelling approvals and a modest recovery in the housing market. Job ads for forepersons and project managers have increased steadily this year, with salaries of $140,000 and $135,000 respectively. Both positions are expected to grow by 10.2 per cent in the next five years.
Meanwhile, warehouse and distribution roles are climbing too. SEEK data shows a 3.3 per cent increase in ads for warehousing, storage, and logistics jobs — a trend linked to Australia’s growing appetite for online shopping.
Hospitality and Tourism Make a Comeback
The hospitality and tourism sector is quietly rebounding as well. Bar and beverage roles are up 5.8 per cent year-on-year, signalling a strong recovery after years of staffing struggles. Employers across hotels, restaurants, and bars are reporting longer hiring times and increasing pay rates to attract workers, details Yahoo Finance.
A Tight Job Market with High Rewards
While competition remains fierce across most industries, SEEK’s analysis shows that demand is still outpacing supply in key areas. The jobs offering the highest combination of growth and pay include high-acuity nursing (up 10 per cent), general practitioners (up 8.8 per cent), and theatre and recovery nursing (up 8.2 per cent).
As Australia’s workforce evolves, one thing is clear: sectors tied to population growth, care, and infrastructure are likely to remain at the heart of the country’s job market — and for those with the right skills, 2026 could bring plenty of opportunity.
