Master of Science degree is one of the most sought after programs in Australia due to its job prospects and high salary potential for graduates. Immigration policies in Australia are welcoming for international students. Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide are among the top cities in terms of high salaries for graduates seeking jobs after MS in Australia. The average salary of MS graduates in Australia is 94,000 AUD. The cost of pursuing an MS degree is 40,000-70,000 USD which implies high return on investment for students.

Some of the most renowned institutions offering MS degrees to students are University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, University of Technology Sydney, RMIT University, Queensland University of Technology, Australian National University, etc. International students on student visa Subclass 500 can work for 20 hours per week while studying in Australia. After completing their studies, international students should apply for a temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) to work in Australia from 18 months to 3 years. Once getting sufficient points, you can apply for permanent residency to live and work in Australia.

Top Universities for Jobs after MS in Australia

The top universities in Australia for jobs after MS in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020 based on the employer reputation, graduate employment rate and alumni outcomes are given in the table below:

University Australian Rank Global Rank Average Annual Salary (in AUD)
University of Sydney #1 #4 100,000
University of Melbourne #2 #7 89,000
The University of New South Wales #3 #27 91,000
The University of Queensland #4 #57 91,000
Australian National University #=5 #66 81,000
Monash University #=5 #66 73,000
University of Technology Sydney #7 #69 141,000
RMIT University #8 #77 153,000
Macquarie University #=9 #101-110 90,000-99,000
Queensland University of Technology #=9 #101-110 84,000

Top Recruiters for Jobs after MS in Australia

Master of Science is one of the highest demanded courses in Australia for its scope. On average, a graduate after securing job after MS MS in Australia can expect a salary of 94,000 AUD annually. The top graduate employers, the candidate qualifications required to apply for a position and average salaries of employees of that organization are given in the table below:

Company Location Average Salary (in AUD)
Google Sydney 108,000
Coles Australia wide 73,000
Deloitte Australia Sydney, Western Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Launceston, Darwin 83,000
Microsoft Australia and New Zealand 118,000
PwC Australia Australia 76,000
KPMG Australia Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Hobart, Launceston, Parramatta, Wollongong 78,000
Accenture Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Auckland, Wellington 92,000
L’Oreal Victoria 89,000
Optiver Sydney 83,000
ANZ Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth 98,000

Popular Jobs after MS in Australia

Some of the popular jobs after MS in Australia according to titles and average salaries are as follows:

Job Title Average Salary (in AUD)
Information Technology Manager 129,349
Senior Software Engineer 118,373
Project Manager 97,620
Software Engineer 85,883
Data Scientist 80,814
Food Technologist 69,319
Data Analyst 67,890

MS in Computer Science

MS in Computer Science is one of the most popular specializations for pursuing postgraduate degree in Australia. Some of the biggest technology giants hire graduates from the field of Computer Science and IT. The technology sector in Australia is rapidly growing creating opportunities for technology professionals.

  • Average Annual Salary: 75,713 AUD
  • Popular Job Roles: Jobs readily available for students with majors in Machine Learning, Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, Data Management etc.

The average salaries for some popular jobs in this sector are given in the table below:

Job Role Average Salary
Information Technology Manager 155,000
Database Administrator 94,100
Developer/ Programmer 93,900
Network Engineer 79,500
Computer Technician 70,400

MS in Business Analytics and Data Science

The number of data analysts in Australia is quite low compared to the recent rise in demand which is why data analysts in Australia are quite well paid. It is related to Computer Science and IT specialization.

  • Average Annual Salary: 69,161-100,000 USD
  • Popular Job Roles: Managers, Data Analysts

Graduates in the field of Business Analytics and Data Science can expect the following average salaries:

Job Title Average Salary
Business Development Manager 145,000
Project Manager 116,000
Business Analyst 111,000

MS in Engineering

Engineering covers a wide range of specializations such as civil, mechanical, biomedical, electrical and electronic engineering. MS in Engineering from Australia is one of the most demanded specializations given its scope and lucrative salaries.

  • Average Annual Salary: 59,282-76,114 USD
  • Popular Job Roles: Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Electronics Engineer.

The table below represents average salaries for popular jobs in the field of Engineering:

Job Title Average Salary (in AUD)
Electrical Engineer 92,800
Mechanical Engineer 91,800
Engineering 91,500
Civil Engineer 83,700

MS in Accounting

A MS degree in Accounting will help you get analytical skills and knowledge of accounting along with learning the latest technology. Graduates with this specialization can expect a senior-level position in banking, insurance, taxation or finance departments of any company.

  • Average Annual Salary: 56,153 USD
  • Popular Job Roles: Tax Accountants, Management Accountants

Following are the popular roles for MS graduates in the field of Accounting and Finance:

Job Title Average Salary (in AUD)
Financial Manager 193,000
Accounting Manager 135,000
Corporate Treasurer 130,000
Financial Analyst 122,000
Internal Auditor 84,700
Chartered Accounting 81,000
Accountant 66,100
Accounting Assistant 52,400
Bookkeeper 42,800

MS in Tourism and Hospitality Management

Australia is a popular tourist destination which means demand for the hospitality and tourism sector always increases. Every year around 125,000 graduates are required in this field which means there is good enough scope for graduates in this sector.

  • Average Annual Salary: 83,000 USD
  • Popular Job Roles: Hospitality managers

The table below represents the some other fields in MS with good job opportunities in Australia:

Area of Study Average Salary (in USD) Popular Job Roles
Actuarial Science 99,121 Financial risk managers
Agricultural Science 42,000-49,000 Agriculture Scientists, Agronomists, Forestry Consultants
Architecture 56,238 Landscape architects
Biomedical Engineering 64,044 Biomedical engineers using technology to treat diseases
Earth Sciences 91,215 Geology, metallurgy, mining, oil and gas engineering
Psychology 76,126 Psychologists
Medicine 75,000-95,000 Medicine and healthcare related positions

Jobs after MS in Australia: Highest Paying Cities

The salary of graduates after MS in Australia varies depending on the location. Jobs in Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, Canberra, Melbourne pay higher salaries compared to other cities. The average salaries for some of the top paying cities in Australia are given in the table below:

Location Average Salary (in AUD)
Sydney 108,000
Melbourne 106,000
Brisbane 104,000
Perth 102,000
Adelaide 100,000
Gold Coast - Tweed 98,300
Canberra 96,500
Newcastle 94,400
Sunshine Coast 92,700
Wollongong 90,700

Jobs after MS in Australia: Salaries by Experience

The salaries of MS graduates in Australia increases with the years of experience in the field. Junior level professionals can expect an increment of 3-5% in their salaries, mid-career professionals get a 6-9% increment while senior and top management professionals can expect a whopping 10-20% increment with increasing experience. Based on various surveys, the gross salaries of professionals with respect to years of experience are given in the table below:

Years of Experience Salary per year (in AUD)
0-1 Year 66,785
1-2 Year 70,457
2-4 Years 81,991
4-8 Years 100,382
8-12 Years 112,801
12-16 Years 134,755
16-20 Years 138,776
20+ Years 152,197

Jobs after MS in Australia: Salaries by Gender

Gender wage gap has been a part of the industry in reality. Even in Australia, gender does have some effect on the pay of an individual. Male employees earn around 6% higher than female employees for the same position in the industry. The average salaries across all sectors for male employees is 93,600 AUD while female employees are paid 88,200 AUD for the same job.

Where to look for Jobs after MS in Australia

International students looking for jobs must firstly ensure applying for the visa in Australia. Most universities in Australia provide a comprehensive range of career services that help students to look for suitable jobs. Networking is also an effective way of looking for employment opportunities. A list of methods that can be used to search jobs after MS in Australia:

  • Career Services: The university where the student is enrolled provides a range of career resources, job search tools, career events, etc. that helps students meet prospective employers.
  • Networking: Keeping in touch with peers, alumni or the faculty can help you find vital information regarding a job opening.
  • Job notice boards and online job portal: These are some of the most common places to look for job positions as it gives complete and authentic information along with a platform to carry on with the application process. Students can update their profiles on LinkedIn, Indeed, etc. to expand their reach to recruiters.

Post-study Work Visa for Jobs after MS in Australia

The temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) is the suitable post-study work visa in Australia. International students who have recently graduated with a degree from an Australian institution can temporarily work and live in Australia with this visa. Immediate family members of the visa holder are also allowed in Australia. The visa costs 1,680 AUD for the applicant.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Applicants must be below 50 years of age
  • Must have an eligible degree, diploma or trade qualification
  • Studied with an Australian education provider registered on CRICOS
  • Proof of English language proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL or equivalent scores
  • Have adequate health insurance
  • Sign the Australian values statement
  • Have no debt to the Australian government
  • Should not have any previous visa cancelled or application refused

COVID-19 Impact on Jobs in Australia

The Australian border is currently closed for entry to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Only people who have individual exemption are allowed to travel to Australia. Graduates affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions can apply and will be granted a Temporary Graduate visa outside Australia provided they hold an eligible student visa.

Australia attracts a number of international students every year and also provides a lot of job opportunities after MS. Researching the market and knowing the demand of the industry will help you to know what role is suitable for you and what level of competition you are about to face. In view of the market demands, you must tailor your resume and cover letter. Some points that you can work on to secure good job opportunities include completing your degree on time with good academic standing, English language and communication skills, and participating in internships to gain exposure. In Australia, employees observe around 8% salary increment in every 16 months.

FAQs

Ques. Which is the best MS course to get jobs in Australia?

Ans. Some of the top MS courses in Australia are related to the STEM field such as Computer Science and IT, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Civil Engineering, Data Science, Biomedical Engineering, Finance, etc.

Ques. What is the average salary of MS graduates in Australia?

Ans. The average salary of MS graduates in Australia is around 94,000 AUD. This is equivalent to 50,84,000 INR. The annual salary may vary depending on the job position, area of specialization and location within Australia.

Ques. What are some top institutions for pursuing an MS degree in Australia?

Ans. Some of the top institutions for pursuing an MS degree in Australia are University of Melbourne, Australian National University, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, Monash University, RMIT University, Queensland University of Technology, etc.

Ques. Can I work in Australia after completing my MS degree?

Ans. Yes, by applying for the right type of visa international students can work in Australia after completing their MS degrees. International students with a Subclass 500 visa should apply for Temporary Graduate Visa subclass 485 to live and work in Australia after completing their degree.

Ques. What are some common job roles for MS graduates in Australia?

Ans. There are a number of job positions for MS graduates in Australia depending on the area of specialization. Some common ones include IT managers, data scientists, engineers, tax accountants, hospitality managers, etc.

Ques. Can I work while studying in Australia?

Ans. International students with a subclass 500 visa are allowed to work 40 hours per fortnight while studying in Australia.

Ques. How can I find jobs after completing MS in Australia?

Ans. Students can find jobs after completing MS in Australia with the help of the university’s career services, job search websites, job notice boards, networking, connecting with alumni groups and updating LinkedIn profile among other ways.

Ques. Will I be granted a post study work visa during the current COVID-19 pandemic?

Ans. Yes. Although Australian borders are currently closed, graduates affected by COVID-19 holding a student visa will be granted post study work visa to stay in Australia.