Find your career fit

Jobs and Skills Australia report median earnings of $84,136 per year for enrolled and mothercraft nurses and $112,112 per year for registered nurses.

These are the skills that nurses will typically rely on in the workplace:

• care and empathy
• staying calm under pressure
• good problem-solving
• attention to detail
• teamwork
• resilience
• adaptability.

• you like being useful when someone’s having a rough day
• friends come to you because you’re caring and helpful
• you’re curious about people – what they’re feeling, what they need
• you can handle awkward or uncomfortable moments
• you care about fairness, and you notice when someone’s being ignored or not listened to
• you get along with different kinds of personalities
• you bounce back after a tough moment and keep showing up
• you like the idea of a job that has real impact, even in small everyday ways.

Uni

• Bachelor of Nursing (HBNB)
• Bachelor of Midwifery/Bachelor of Nursing (HBMA)

TAFE 

• Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121)
• Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (HLT33021)
• Certificate III in Individual Support (CHC33021)
• Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CHC43015)
• Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (HLT43021)
• Certificate IV in Disability Support (CHC43121)

Example pathway 

If you don't meet the entry criteria for the Bachelor of Nursing, you could:

1. start with the Free TAFE-eligible Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121)
2. study for two years
3. transition into the second year of the Bachelor of Nursing (three years instead of four years full-time).

Jobs and Skills Australia report median earnings of $132,912 per year for ambulance officers and paramedics (full-time).

These are the skills that paramedics rely on in the workplace:

• staying calm under pressure
• clear communication
• quick decision-making
• compassion and respect
• attention to detail
• teamwork
• situational awareness
• resilience.

• you don’t freeze when things get hectic – you get focused
• you like variety and being out in the real world 
• you’re good at talking to people and helping them feel safe
• you can make decisions with imperfect information
• you’re curious about health and the human body
• you’re practical – you like solving problems, step by step
• you can handle uncomfortable moments without panicking or checking out
• you bounce back after a tough day and keep showing up

Uni

Bachelor of Paramedicine (HBPD)

TAFE 

• Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport (HLT31120)
• Diploma of Emergency Health Care (HLT51020)

Example pathway 

If you don't meet the entry criteria for the Bachelor of Paramedicine, you can:

1. start with the Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport (HLT31120) for six months
2. step up to the Free TAFE-eligible Diploma of Emergency Health Care (HLT51020) for seven months full-time
3. move into the Bachelor of Paramedicine (three years full-time).

This pathway would qualify you for registration as a paramedic in Australia. 

Jobs and Skills Australia report median full-time earnings of about $104,000 per year for primary school teachers and about $112,632 per year for secondary school teachers.

These are the skills that teachers rely on in the workplace:

• clear communication
• patience
• confidence and leadership
• organisation and time management
• creativity and flexibility
• building trust
• resilience and energy.

• you like helping people “get it”
• you enjoy being around kids, even when they’re a bit chaotic
• you can lead a room
• you’re fair – you notice who’s being left out
• you can be kind and firm at the same time
• you like variety
• you’re curious and keep learning
• you care about making a difference, even in small everyday moments.

Uni

• Bachelor of Education (P-12)
• Bachelor of Education (Primary)
• Diploma of Education Studies

TAFE

• Certificate IV in School Based Education Support (CHC40221)
• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121)
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121)

Example pathway

If you don't meet the entry criteria for any of VU’s education uni degrees, you can:

1. start with the Free TAFE-eligible Certificate IV in School Based Education Support (CHC40221), giving you a chance to get school experience while supporting teachers.
2. move into the Bachelor of Education (Primary) to teach primary school students or Bachelor of Education (P-12) to teach from prep all the way through to Year 12. 

Median full-time earnings are approximately $86,320 per year for early childhood (pre-primary school) teachers.

These are the skills that early childhood educators rely on in the workplace:

• patience 
• creativity and play-based learning
• safety-first thinking
• strong observation
• organisation and routines
• emotional steadiness in noisy, messy moments
• respect for different cultures and family needs
• willingness to keep learning.

• you’re full of energy and like being on your feet
• you’re naturally playful
• you genuinely like kids – not just “they’re cute” but “i like talking to them”
• you’re great at explaining things simply
• you’re patient with repetition (kids are often repetition machines)
• you notice when someone’s left out and you do something about it
• you like building routines and making spaces feel calm and safe
• you care about fairness, kindness and helping people feel confident.

Uni

• Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education
• Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
• Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching
• Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Leadership

TAFE

• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121)
• Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121)
• Diploma of Teacher Education Preparation (22602VIC)

Example pathway 

If you don't meet the entry criteria for any of VU’s bachelor degrees in early childhood, you can:

1. start with the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121) to build entry-level skills and start working in an early learning setting
2. step up to the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC50121) to move into more senior educator/room leader roles.

Both of these courses are eligible for Free TAFE.

If your goal is to become a qualified early childhood teacher, you can continue into the Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching. 

Median full-time earnings for solicitors average at about $95,056 per year. Keep in mind, law is a big and diverse industry with plenty of opportunities for wage growth as you build experience and specialised expertise.

These are the skills that lawyers and solicitors rely on in the workplace:

• clear communication
• strong attention to detail
• logical thinking and problem-solving
• research and information skills
• confidence to ask good questions
• strong sense of moral judgement
• organisation
• time management
• negotiation and conflict management.

• you like debating ideas
• you notice details other people miss
• you enjoy reading, writing and explaining things
• you care about fairness and how rules affect people
• you’re curious about how society works (and where it doesn’t)
• you can stay calm and practical when there’s conflict
• you’re comfortable asking questions and getting to the real story
• you like solving messy problems with no perfect answer 

Uni

• Bachelor of Laws
• Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminology
• Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Studies
• Bachelor of Legal Services

TAFE

• Certificate IV in Legal Services (BSB40620)
• Diploma of Paralegal Services (BSB50720)

Example pathway

If you don't meet the entry criteria for any of VU’s uni law degrees, you can:

1. start with the Certificate IV in Legal Services (BSB40620)
2. step up to the Diploma of Paralegal Services (BSB50720)
3. then choose your direction:
   • move into the Bachelor of Legal Services for legal support and compliance pathways
   • move into the Bachelor of Laws if your goal is to become a practising lawyer.

As a concrete “business role” example, Jobs and Skills Australia’s median full-time earnings are about $95,700 per year for accountants and around $97,200 for HR professionals – with big variations depending on seniority and specialisation.

These are the skills that you'll need for a business career:

• adaptability 
• initiative
• clear communication 
• confidence with numbers and data 
• problem-solving and good judgement
• organisation and time management
• teamwork 
• customer and stakeholder focus (seeing things from other people’s view)

• you like coming up with new ideas
• you notice what people want and how they make decisions 
• you like figuring out “why this works” (or why it doesn’t)
• you enjoy planning events, projects or group tasks and making them run smoothly
• you like persuading people and negotiating
• you get a buzz from improving something – even small changes
• you can bounce between small details and the bigger picture
• you’re curious about how different industries operate, from sport to education, health, tech, retail, government and more! 

Uni 

• Bachelor of Business
• Diploma of Business (Enterprise)

TAFE

• Certificate III in Business (BSB30120)
• Certificate IV in Business (BSB40120)
• Diploma of Business (BSB50120)
• Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB50420)
• Diploma of Project Management (BSB50820)

Example pathway 

If you don't meet the entry criteria for the Bachelor of Business, you can:

1. start with a VU TAFE diploma that matches your interests, for example, a Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB50420).
2. move into the Bachelor of Business with up to 96 credit points (about one year of study) credited.

Exercise physiologists earn $80,000–$90,000 a year on average across Australia, according to SEEK. JSA report median full-time earnings for sports coaches, instructors and officials of around $66,872 per year.

These are the skills you'll need for a career in sport science:

• clear communication
• good observation and attention to detail
• motivating people without being cringe
• strong basics in anatomy and movement
• problem-solving
• coaching and feedback skills
• curiosity and willingness to keep learning 

• you love sport and movement – watching it, talking about it, being around it
• you’re curious about what makes people improve
• you care about habits and routines – and how they affect performance and wellbeing
• you’re great at explaining things in a simple, practical way
• you like helping others get better
• you’re interested in how the body works 

Uni

• Bachelor of Sport Science
• Bachelor of Exercise Science (Clinical Practice)
• Bachelor of Exercise Science (Sport Practice)
• Bachelor of Physical Education and Sport Science

TAFE

• Diploma of Remedial Massage (HLT52021)

Example pathway

If you don't meet the entry criteria for either Bachelor of Exercise Science, you can:

1. study the Diploma of Remedial Massage (HLT52021)
2. get guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Exercise Science (Clinical Practice) or the Bachelor of Exercise Science (Sport Practice) once you've finished.

Psychologists and psychotherapists are solid earners: Jobs and Skills Australia report median full-time earnings of $106,808 per year.

These are the skills that psychologists rely on in the workplace:

• care and empathy
• clear communication (especially in tricky conversations)
• strong listening and attention to detail
• curiosity about people
• patience and persistence
• good judgement and boundaries
• problem-solving and critical thinking.

• you’re who friends talk to when they need to figure something out
• you notice patterns in people
• you like asking “why?” and you’re not satisfied with easy answers
• you’re patient with people
• you can be warm and make people comfortable
• you care about fairness and you hate seeing people dismissed
• you’re interested in mental health, behaviour and what makes us tick 

Uni

• Undergraduate Certificate in Psychological Studies
• Bachelor of Psychological Studies
• Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Honours)
• Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
• Master of Professional Psychology
• Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical Psychology)

TAFE (related pathways)

• Diploma of Community Services (CHC52021)
• Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs (CHC43215)

Example pathway

Psychology accreditation can be a bit convoluted so bear with us.

For most students, you’ll start with a Bachelor of Psychological Studies (no ATAR needed), before progressing into a Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Honours) and then a Master of Professional Psychology. You'll then do a one year internship and exam to become registered through the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA)*

To become a clinical psychologist, you do the same bachelor + honours, but then you complete a specialised Master of Applied Psychology (Clinical Psychology) and apply for clinical endorsement through the Psychology Board of Australia. Clinical psychologists are registered psychologists with extra specialist training for more complex health issues.

If you don’t meet entry requirements for the bachelor or want a clearer stepping stone through TAFE, you can start with the Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315) – which offers guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Psychological Studies after completion.

* Registration requires completing a five year sequence of study in psychology, followed by a one year (or part-time equivalent) PsyBA-approved supervised internship and successful completion of the National Psychology Exam.

For cyber security-aligned roles, Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time earnings of $2,284 per week for the broader database/systems/ICT security workforce group – that’s roughly $118,800 per year.

These are the skills that cyber security experts rely on in the workplace:

• curiosity and “problem-solver brain”
• strong digital literacy
• clear communication (explaining tech issues to non-tech people)
• attention to detail
• strong ethics and responsibility
• teamwork
• persistence 
• willingness to keep learning

• you like figuring out complex puzzles, patterns, games and mysteries
• you’re aware of what’s around you and good at spotting problems
• you’re interested in tech and how people use it
• you can focus for long stretches without melting into a puddle
• you’re comfortable being the person who asks “what if this goes wrong?”
• you don’t mind being a lifelong learner as new threats, tools and fixes emerge.

Uni

• Diploma of Cyber Security
• Bachelor of Cyber Security
• Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
• Graduate Diploma in Cyber Security

TAFE

• Certificate IV in Cyber Security (22603VIC)

Example pathway 

If you don't meet the entry criteria for the Bachelor of Cyber Security, you can:

1. start with the Certificate IV in Cyber Security (22603VIC) (TAFE, one year full-time)
2. step up to the Diploma of Cyber Security (one year)

After the diploma, you’re eligible for a guaranteed place in the second year of the Bachelor of Cyber Security – so you can finish with the full degree faster than starting from year one.

Median earnings for electricians at about $114,600 per year according to JSA. The ABS Wage Price Index also shows wages have been rising in the main industries electricians work in – up 3.4% through the year to September 2025 in construction and up 4.3% in electricity, gas, water and waste services.

These are the skills that electricians rely on in the workplace:

• safety-first mindset
• practical problem-solving
• good communication
• attention to detail
• basic maths confidence
• patience and persistence
• organisation and time management
• adaptability 
• willingness to keep learning.

• you like figuring out how things work (and why they stop working)
• you prefer hands-on tasks over sitting still all day
• you like variety – different places, different tasks, different people
• you get satisfaction from solving problems
• you’re patient and you don’t mind working step-by-step
• you’re interested in tech, tools, building and anything that feels real-world and useful. 

TAFE 

• Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Pre-vocational) (22682VIC)
• Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician (UEE30820)

Uni (related)

• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Example pathway 

Start with the Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Pre-vocational) (22682VIC) to build fundamentals and boost your apprenticeship prospects, then move into an electrical apprenticeship and complete the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician (UEE30820) to qualify as an electrician.

If you want to specialise further in electrical engineering and energy systems, step up to the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Electronic Engineering).