Careers Guide

Do you want to enter the world of public health? Well, the good news is that this is a field with a huge demand and is only expected to grow. 

What this means for you as an individual is that there are many jobs available, but it doesn’t just stop there because there are so many benefits to becoming a public health professional.  

When talking about ‘public health, ‘we’re referring to the overall health of the country’s people, and public health workers are responsible for ensuring this health. 

This means their responsibilities can involve tracking and preventing disease outbreaks, educating people about how to live a healthy lifestyle, and conducting research into the causes of diseases.  

In this article, we’re going to look at all the benefits of becoming a public health professional in Australia.  

What are the responsibilities of a public health worker?

There are many different jobs within the industry, all geared towards improving the overall health of the public. 

With so many different positions, there are also many responsibilities specific to each job. While one health worker might specialise in identifying dangerous diseases or the spread of a new virus, another would be responsible for educating groups on health protocols. 

Here are some examples of the different responsibilities public health professionals will tackle on a daily basis: 

●Preventing and developing strategies to stop bullying in schools 

●Preventing cancer and researching potential causes 

●Helping develop vaccines for diseases 

●Exploring the causes of and further preventing autism 

●Developing policies around smoking to prevent lung disease and secondhand-smoke in communities 

●Promoting sustainable habits to protect the greater environment 

●Developing reproductive health programs to prevent infant mortality and disease 

●Educating people about the effects of drugs and alcohol to prevent addiction 

●Implementing safety standards in organisations to protect workers 

●Developing nutrition programs in schools to ensure children eat healthy 

●Ensuring distant communities have access to quality healthcare and services 

Benefits of working as a public health professional 

It’s important to weigh up the benefits of any job before choosing to do it. The healthcare industry requires individuals to be compassionate and work extremely hard. So, in light of that, we need to consider how the benefits make it worth it. 

Here are the benefits of working as a public health professional: 

1.Job satisfaction 

First on the list is job satisfaction. As a public health professional, you might be in the middle of a war, helping refugees escape a country or caring for the wounded. 

The fact that you’re making a real difference in people’s lives can be extremely satisfying. The same goes for if you’re working in a lab. 

There, you’ll be faced with new challenges and opportunities to research new diseases. There’s always something new to learn and explore.  

2.Job security 

Healthcare is a necessity in the world today, and public health professionals usually play a huge role in discovering the cause of illnesses and helping to provide solutions. 

This means that they’ll always be needed, offering you job security.  

3.Various available roles 

Another great benefit of becoming a public health professional is that this role offers you a variety of different career choices. 

In fact, public health professionals could secure a position at almost any healthcare organisation that’s working toward providing quality health services to the country. When you have a degree in public health, like having a Master’s in Public Health, you could become a: 

●Health Education Specialist – this is a public health worker who is dedicated to educating individuals and groups. In this position, your aim will be to help improve health and well-being through research, organising and facilitating programs, and engaging with the community.  

●Community Health Worker – as a community health worker, your job will be to connect communities with health services, provide screenings, and educate them on pressing health matters. 

●Public Health Researcher – being a public health researcher means you’ll be responsible for analysing data to build health policies and programs better. 

●Environmental Health Officer – as an environmental health officer, your goal is to help ensure environmental health and safety, and this will generally include inspecting food, water, and facilities of different areas 

●Medical Editor – this public health worker reviews and edits health-related content to ensure accuracy and clarity.  

●Public Policy Writer – this personal will research and write about health legislation and policies with the goal of inspiring action to help better the health of the public.  

●Demographer – a demographer analyses population data and uses the information to produce reports and statistics on health outcomes. 

●Health Care Administrator – anyone in this role manages the business operations of medical facilities to ensure smooth functioning.  

●Refugee Coordinator – this type of public health worker does the wonderful work of assisting refugees transition to new communities by providing training, support, and mental health services.  

As a public health professional, you can work in almost any setting. Businesses might hire you as a health consultant to educate their staff and provide training, or you might land a government position that requires you to work alongside hospitals and other healthcare professionals.  

4.You can travel the world 

Being a public health worker is a career move that suits people who want to work anywhere. 

Countries all over the world need healthcare professionals, especially third-world countries that are poverty-stricken. 

So, these countries would love to have more public health professionals to boost their healthcare, and as a bonus, you get to explore the world.  

Final Thoughts 

Public health professionals are at the forefront of the healthcare system, and their job is to care for the health of the country. 

Though their responsibilities are many and include everything from identifying diseases, their causes, and how to stop their spread, there are many wonderful benefits from working within this industry.  

Does the thrill of solving problems and the excitement of pushing the boundaries through innovation and technology light up your spirit? 

If so, a career path in engineering might just be the best option for you! 

And with Australia projected to have a shortage of 200,000 engineers by 2040 and higher than average earnings, it is one of the most sought-after careers by many students. 

This career guide will show you the necessary steps and qualifications on how to become an engineer in Australia. 

Who is an Engineer?

An engineer is a professional who uses mathematical and scientific principles to solve technical problems. 

Engineering spans over multiple disciplines and industries. 

A career in engineering allows you to contribute to amazing projects and shape technological development in different industries. 

Size of the Industry

There are over 200,000 engineers in the Australian workforce. 

The engineering industry is one of the most diverse industries, having several branch segments such as 

• Aeronautic engineering, 
• Chemical engineering 
• Civil engineering, 
• Electrical engineering, 
• Electronic engineering, 
• Mechanical engineering, 
• Mining engineering, 
• Telecommunication engineering 
• and many others. 

Generally, statistics show a progressive projected growth of engineering-related professions by 2026.

Popular Locations

About 77.3% of engineers live in capital cities. New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia have the most share of employers for all the engineering specializations listed below. 

Here is the percentage of engineers (in different disciplines) in each state and territory of Australia.

Industries Where Engineers Are Needed

The Professional Scientific and Technical Services industry employs the majority of engineers in Australia. 

Other industries employing engineers in Australia are:

• Construction
• Mining Industry
• Manufacturing
• Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services
• Information, Media and Telecommunications
• Healthcare and Social Assistance
• Other Industries

Hours of work

In Australia, the average hours worked by an Engineer is 42.6 hours per week in their primary job. However, engineers working in teaching roles could be working up to 52.7 hours per week.

These hours are less than the working hours average for all jobs in Australia (44 hours per week). (Source: Labour Market Insights).

Age

The average age of engineers in the Australian workforce is 37 to 39 years, which is younger than the all-jobs average of 40 years. 

Gender

The engineering field is a mostly male-dominant industry with 87% of males accounting for the entire workforce in Australia.

The females account for 13% of the engineering workforce in Australia. 

What are some of the skills required to become an Engineer in Australia?

Becoming an engineer in Australia requires a combination of several technical, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. 

Here’s a list of skills that are often required or beneficial for aspiring engineers:

• Technical Proficiency
• Critical Thinking
• Problem-Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Creativity and Innovation
• Communication Skills
• Teamwork
• Analytical Skills
• Time Management
• Adaptability
• Attention to Safety
• Project Management
• Ethical Understanding
• Computer Literacy

Usually, the specific skills required can vary based on the engineering discipline you choose. 

What are the tasks and duties of an Engineer in Australia?

Here are some tasks and duties that engineers commonly perform in Australia:

• Designing and Planning: Engineers create detailed plans, blueprints, and specifications for projects, considering factors like functionality, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
• Project Management: Engineers oversee projects from conception to completion, managing budgets, timelines, resources, and coordinating with various teams.
• Prototyping: Engineers create prototypes or models to test and modify before the main proper implementation.
• Problem-Solving: Engineers identify, analyse and solve complex technical challenges, finding practical solutions to address issues in various fields.
• Collaboration: Engineers work closely with other professionals, such as architects, designers, technicians, and clients, to ensure projects align with goals.
• Quality Control: Engineers ensure that products, systems, or structures meet quality standards and specifications by implementing rigorous testing and inspections.
• Construction Oversight: For civil engineers, overseeing construction projects involves monitoring progress, compliance with plans, and addressing issues that arise on-site.
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD): Engineers use specialised software to create detailed 2D and 3D models of designs, facilitating visualisation and analysis.
• Maintenance and Repairs: Engineers develop maintenance schedules and protocols to ensure the long-term functionality of systems and equipment.
• Risk Assessment: Engineers evaluate potential risks associated with projects, systems, or structures and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Regulatory Compliance: Engineers ensure that designs and projects adhere to relevant regulations, codes, and safety standards.
• Training and Documentation: Engineers prepare manuals, guidelines, and training materials to assist users in operating and maintaining systems.

The tasks and duties of engineers can vary based on their discipline, whether it’s civil, mechanical, electrical, aeronautic, chemical, or any other specialisation.

How much do Engineers Earn in Australia? 

Engineering is considered to be one of the highest paying professions in Australia.

The average earning of an engineer in Australia is $105,000. 

Keep in mind that the earnings of engineers mostly depends on the skills, type of field and experience levels. 

Here are the average weekly earnings for jobs in the engineering discipline:

• Electrical Engineering- $2,538
• Mining Engineering- $3,252
• Telecommunication Engineering- $2,099
• Mechanical Engineering- $2,410

The above data has been sourced from the Australian Government website, Labour Market Insights. 

Essential steps to becoming an Engineer in Australia

The first decision to make is to decide which type of engineer you want to be. 

This would help you streamline your focus on the academic and experiential journey to embark on. 

However, there are generally required steps for you to take to become an engineer in Australia. 

Step 1: Choose an Engineering specialisation

The first step is to decide what exact field you would like to start a career path in. 

As mentioned earlier, several skills are cross-functional in the various fields of engineering.

Nevertheless, it is important that you pick out an area of specialisation and focus your training and academic studies on it. 

Here are some of the engineering specialisations you can pick from:

• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Software Engineering
• Robotics Engineering
• And others

Step 2: Complete an Engineering Degree 

The second step in becoming an engineer in Australia is to complete an engineering degree from an accredited institution in Australia. 

For engineering study, there are two main degrees. They are the Bachelor of Engineering and Master of Engineering.

Bachelor of Engineering

To become a recognised engineer in Australia, you need to complete a Bachelor’s in Engineering degree. 

This program usually takes up to 3–4 years of full-time study or up to 6 years of part-time study in any Australian institution. 

Most international students are required to undertake full-time study. Domestic students, however, can choose to do the study part-time.

To be qualified for a bachelor of engineering degree, you must meet the following requirements:

• Completed a Year 12 or equivalent 
• Meet the university’s English Language proficiency requirements. For tests such as PTE, IELTS and TOEFL

As an international student you should also have the following

• Valid Passport
• Student Visa

The cost of studying engineering in Australia varies depending on the institution and location you choose to attend.

The estimated cost of a Bachelor degree in Engineering ranges from $25,000 to $40,000 per year. 

As an international student, you can leverage on the available financial aid programs and government scholarships.

Master of Engineering

The Master of Engineering degree is a higher academic qualification in the engineering field. 

This program is more advanced and is highly recommended for students who wish to gain a more practical industrial experience in the engineering field. 

This program takes 2 years if you have a related undergraduate degree in engineering. Otherwise, it can take up to 3 years, depending on the school. 

These are the requirements for this degree: 

• Completed a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field
• Meet the university’s English Language proficiency requirements. For tests such as PTE, IELTS and TOEFL
• Student Visa
• Valid Passport

The estimated cost of a Master’s degree ranges from $30,000 to $50,000 per year. 

Step 3: Obtain Experience

The next step is to obtain as much experience as you can in the industry, ideally 3 years as an graduate engineer. 

You can achieve this through internships, volunteer work and traineeships in engineering companies. 

This experience will better position you for employment opportunities in the future and also help you build a great network with professionals in the industry. 

In some states, this work experience serves as a requirement when obtaining a professional license to become an engineer.

Step 4: Registration with appropriate organisation

After completing a degree from an accredited institution, getting a registration with professional engineering bodies in Australia is usually the next step.

There are some recognised licensing bodies for engineers in Australia which certify that their members are experienced, qualified and chartered. 

They also provide additional certification and professional development opportunities to their members like Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) or Registered Professional Engineer (RPEng) from Engineers Australia.

This serves as a career boost for engineers in the industry and access to a network of top engineering professionals. Some of these bodies are:

• Engineers Australia
• Professional Engineers Australia.

Popular Universities To Study Engineering In Australia

As per the QS World Rankings, the University of New South Wales is ranked as the number 1 university to study engineering in Australia. 

Here is a list of some of the popular institutions that offer Engineering courses in Australia:

• University of New South Wales 
• University of Melbourne
• University of Sydney
• Monash University
• Australian National University 
• University of Queensland 
• University of Technology Sydney 
• Queensland University of Technology
• RMIT University
• Curtin University
• University of Western Australia 
• University of Adelaide
• Griffith University
• Swinburne University of Technology
• Deakin University

Future Growth of Engineers In Australia

Embracing the concept of an evolving world, the future of engineering in Australia shines bright. As industries advance and technology surges forward, engineers stand as one of the main characters to lead the way. 

With a positive projected growth of 10.5% by 2026, the demand for innovative minds is increasing in the engineering industry. 

From civil to software, mechanical to environmental, biomedical to aeronautic, engineers are at the forefront of progressive change. 

If you consider starting off a journey in any field of engineering, then you’re on a path to career success!

Do you enjoy mixing drinks and entertaining people while providing them with a welcoming and soothing atmosphere? 

If so, bartending just might be a great career option for you! 

In this article, you will discover all the necessary information needed on how to become a Bartender in Australia. 

Who is a Bartender?

Bartender is a person who is responsible for preparing, mixing and serving alcohol to the patrons at licensed venues. 

These venues could include bars, restaurants, casinos, taverns and others. 

Bartending is a very delicate and technical job that requires good skills and knowledge of how to mix and serve drinks. 

It also includes taking orders, keeping track of stock, and keeping the bar area clean and clean. 

Bartending involves crafting unique and special cocktail mixes while providing an exceptional atmosphere. The role of a bartender goes beyond pouring drinks but giving customers a memorable experience of a lifetime! 

Size of the Industry

There are over 46,500 bartenders in the Australian workforce currently. Statistics show that bartender and barista jobs are expected to grow by 7.7% by 2026, making this career a good choice.

Popular Locations

About 56% of the Bartenders live in capital cities in Australia. 

New South Wales has the largest share of employers of bartenders in Australia relative to the size of its population. 

Below is the percentage of bartenders in different areas of Australia by state and territory:

• New South Wales 42.4%      
• Queensland 19.4%    
• Victoria 17.6%      
• Western Australia 8.8%
• South Australia 6.9%
• Tasmania 2.2%
• Australian Capital Territory 1.8%
• Northern Territory 0.9%

Industries Where Bartenders Are Needed

The Accommodation and Food Services industry employs up to 89.5% of the bartending workforce.

Other industries account for the remaining 10.5% of the bartending workforce population in Australia. The industries include:

• Arts and Recreation Services 5.1%
• Other Industries 2.5%
• Retail Trade 0.7%
• Manufacturing 0.6%

Hours of work

In Australia, around 28% of employed Bartenders work full-time hours in all their jobs combined. 

Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their primary job. 

This is similar to the working hours average for all jobs in Australia (44 hours per week). 

Age

The average age of Bartenders in the Australian workforce is 24 years, which is younger than the all-jobs average of 40 years. 

A large share of workers (36%) are within the age bracket of (20 to 24) years.  

Gender

With over 46,500 bartenders in Australia, females account for 51% of the entire workforce, while males account for 49%. 

What are some of the skills required to become a Bartender in Australia?

Here are some of the necessary skills you are required to have to become an exquisite bartender:

• Excellent Mixology skills
• Social skills
• Listening skills
• Time management
• Teamwork
• Physical Fitness
• Technical skills
• Creativity skills
• Conflict resolution skills
• Knowledge of local liquor laws and regulations

What are the tasks and duties of a Bartender in Australia?

Being a bartender requires great people skills and expertise in handling customers, inventory (drinks and equipment) and other tasks attached to the job role. 

Here are some of the tasks and duties of a Bartender in Australia:

• Greeting customers and taking their orders: Bartenders are responsible for taking the customers’ orders and delivering them as quickly as possible.
• Preparing drinks: Bartenders are primarily responsible for preparing, mixing and serving drinks (both alcoholic and nonalcoholic) to the customers. 
• Clean and maintain bar area: Hygiene and general cleanliness of the bar is very compulsory before opening up to customers. Bartenders are responsible for cleaning top surfaces and ensuring the bar is neat at regular intervals. 
• Maintain inventory and alcohol supplies: Ensuring adequate and proper recording of stock supplies is a very important duty of the bartender. This helps in proper bookkeeping and preventing stock out of drinks and other bartending materials.
• Restocking Supplies: Just as bartenders take note of stock supplies, they also place orders to restock the bar.
• Adhere to legal requirements: Bar tenders must keep themselves up to date with the various liquor-related laws in Australia and in the state or territory they are going to work in. For example, the legal drinking age in Australia is 18 years or older.
• Keep track of daily sales: Bartending also involves keeping book records of the number of drinks sold, and the cash received at day end from sales.
• Create and update the drinks’ menu: As much as preparing drinks, bartenders prepare the drink menu and create several signature unique mixes on the menu for the customers.
• Communicate customers’ food orders to the kitchen: Asides from drinks, bartenders also take customers’ food orders in bar settings. They need to make sure to pass the information to the kitchen for prompt serving.

How much do Bartenders earn in Australia? 

Bartenders’ salaries differ according to the region where they work, their experience in the industry, their qualifications and their employer. 

However, average full-time earnings are $1143 per week. The average hourly pay for bartenders is $30.49.

The annual salary for a Bartender in Australia is around $59,000.

Essential steps to become a Bartender in Australia

If you want to become a bartender in Australia, there are some essential steps you need to follow. 

It is important to know that before you can start a career in bartending you must be 18 years or older and must have completed your Year 12 education. 

Although, there is no specific formal qualification required to become a Bartender in Australia, but having a certification to serve alcohol is a must. 

The processes needed to become a bartender are as follows: 

Step 1: Get a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) Certificate

In Australia, if you work in the hospitality industry, you need an RSA certificate to sell or serve alcohol. 

You are legally required to have this certification as a bartender as you will be dealing with alcohol and serving it to customers. 

This is a short course that can be completed in less than a day through TAFEs and other hospitality and private training institutes. 

If you would like to take this course, then you can check EOT as they are delivering this course online from $39 only.

If you would like to undertake this course, you can use one of the links below to register:

RSA course from $49 only (online) here:

• (All Australia except NSW, VIC) https://www.eot.edu.au/?pcid=1403
• VIC RSA: https://www.eot.edu.au/?pcid=1412
• NSW RSA: https://www.eot.edu.au/?pcid=1404 

The cost of this course varies depending on your region. On average, this course costs $49 to $165 depending on if you are doing it online or face to face and the institution delivering the course.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a Certificate of Attainment. 

Step 2: Take Short Courses         

As mentioned earlier, you don’t necessarily need to have formal qualifications to become a bartender, but having one will help in the long run.

You can take some informal courses or formal qualifications to level up the game in the industry. 

Some of the informal short courses you can undertake include:

• Bartending Foundational Course
• Advanced Bartending Course
• Cocktail Making Course

These short courses can last from a day to a few weeks and can cost from 100 to $3000.

If you want to undertake a formal qualifications in the hospitality industry in Australia, then you can consider to 

• Certificate II in hospitality
• Certificate III in hospitality
• Certificate IV in hospitality

These certifications can be completed within 6 to 12 months, depending upon the level and it can cost from $3000 to $15,000.

These certifications will not only help you learn about the hospitality industry but can help you stand out from the competition and demonstrate your expertise in the industry.

These certifications can also open up the door for other opportunities in the hospitality industry. 

You can work in restaurants, hotels, parties, pubs, cruise ships, catering companies etc. This certification can be completed within 6 to 12 months.

Step 3: Gather Experience

Experience is everything in this industry. 

When starting your career as a Bartender, you can work as a Barback or Bartender assistant before getting a full-time job as a bartender.

To learn how to be an excellent bartender, it’s best to work alongside an experienced bartender, so you can learn how things are done on the job.

Step 4: Build your network

Last but not the least, build your network by attending industry events and joining professional organisations. 

This can help you stay up-to-date on industry trends and connect with other professionals in the field.

By following these essential steps, you can become a successful bartender in Australia and build a rewarding career in the hospitality industry.

Future growth of Bartending in Australia

The future growth of bartending is expected to increase positively due to so many factors. 

The ever-growing hospitality industry in Australia has given rise to the need for more bartenders, creating a steady demand for them. 

With the growing number of bars, hotels, and other hospitality venues, the demand for highly skilled bartenders who can create outstanding cocktails and exceptional customer experience.

Also, the positive influence of social media on this profession has made it a decent career choice.