Average Graduate Salary Australia
As a graduate, what can I expect my salary to be? This is a common question among university students and graduates. The figures below show median full-time salaries reported 4–6 months after graduation, broken down by broad field of study.
Across all study areas, the median salary for domestic bachelor-degree graduates in full-time work is $75,000.
Across all study areas, the median salary for domestic postgraduate coursework graduates in full-time work is $100,000 (research degrees are excluded).
How to read these numbers: these are medians (not averages) and they apply only to graduates who reported being in full-time employment soon after completing their course. Postgraduate coursework outcomes can also reflect prior work experience and age, not just the credential.
Graduate Salaries in Australia
Median salary 4–6 months after graduating (full-time employed, domestic)
| Field of study | Undergraduate (2024) | Postgraduate coursework (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Dentistry | $103,300 | $130,000 |
| Medicine | $86,800 | $90,000 |
| Social work | $82,000 | $94,100 |
| Engineering | $80,000 | $111,000 |
| Teacher education | $78,800 | $96,000 |
| Law and paralegal studies | $76,000 | $90,000 |
| Computing and Information Systems | $75,300 | $110,000 |
| Psychology | $75,100 | $97,700 |
| Architecture and built environment | $75,000 | $84,500 |
| Rehabilitation | $75,000 | $79,600 |
| Health services and support | $74,900 | $103,000 |
| Humanities, culture and social sciences | $73,100 | $99,000 |
| Science and mathematics | $72,400 | $100,000 |
| Nursing | $72,000 | $99,900 |
| Business and management | $72,000 | $124,000 |
| Agriculture and environmental studies | $71,500 | $94,000 |
| Veterinary science | $70,000 | $76,500 |
| Communications | $65,200 | $78,000 |
| Creative arts | $62,600 | $81,000 |
| Pharmacy | $59,500 | $87,000 |
| All study areas | $75,000 | $100,000 |
Analysis of the Statistics
The QILT figures provide a snapshot of early graduate salaries by broad field of study. Because they reflect only full-time employed graduates soon after finishing, they are best used for comparing study areas on a like-for-like basis rather than predicting long-term earnings.
Highest paying fields soon after graduation
In 2024, the highest median salaries for domestic bachelor-degree graduates in full-time work are in dentistry ($103,300), medicine ($86,800), and social work ($82,000). For domestic postgraduate coursework graduates, the highest medians are in dentistry ($130,000), business and management ($124,000), and engineering ($111,000).
Postgraduate coursework medians are higher than undergraduate medians in every study area shown above. The size of the gap varies by field and can reflect both additional qualification level and differences in the typical age and work experience of postgraduate cohorts.
Business and management graduate salary
In 2024, the median salary soon after graduation for domestic bachelor-degree graduates in business and management who are in full-time employment is $72,000. For domestic postgraduate coursework graduates, it is $124,000.
Graduates may work in public, corporate, government, and non-profit sectors, among others. Common job titles include accountant, auditor, tax accountant, financial analyst, management accountant, and budget analyst.
Engineering graduate salary
In 2024, the median salary soon after graduation for domestic bachelor-degree engineering graduates in full-time work is $80,000. For domestic postgraduate coursework graduates, it is $111,000.
Engineering salaries typically vary by discipline and role. Outcomes also depend on factors such as prior industry experience, the type of employer, and location.
Law graduate salary
In 2024, the median salary soon after graduation for domestic bachelor-degree graduates in law and paralegal studies who are in full-time employment is $76,000. For domestic postgraduate coursework graduates, it is $90,000.
Law graduates can pursue a variety of careers, including practising law, working as a paralegal, or working in related roles such as legal administration or legal research.
About the Salary Statistics
QILT (Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching) reports national graduate outcomes, including employment and salary results by study area. The salary figures shown on this page are medians for graduates who reported being in full-time employment around 4–6 months after completing their course.
These statistics are most useful for comparing broad study areas and understanding early employment outcomes. They do not capture longer-run salary growth and they do not isolate the effect of the qualification from factors such as age, prior work history, and industry conditions.
