Looking to step into a new career? You're not the only one, the stats suggest. No matter your age, background or whether English is your first language, a career change at some point is almost inevitable nowadays. In Australia, support is available to help you through the process.
Key Points
- There are face-to-face support options and government resources to help you navigate a career change.
- Migrants can bring diverse talents to the workplace, but may also need to undergo further training or gain local experience for certain jobs.
- AI competencies are highly valued in today’s labour market.
- How common is it for Aussie workers to change jobs or careers?
- What if I’m too old or too inexperienced to switch careers?
- Where can I find information and advice on career change in Australia?
- What are some current and future trends in Australia’s labour market?
- How do I know it’s time to leave a career?
Venturing into a new career can be a daunting and stressful task.
But it can also open you up to new opportunities, experts say.
How common is it for Aussie workers to change jobs or careers?
Job mobility is not uncommon in Australia. According to the latest ABS data, over one million workers changed jobs in the period February 2024 to February 2025.
Despite lack of precise data on career change, a 2024 survey suggests that one in two Australian workers were willing to make the leap.
“Career change is absolutely becoming the norm,” career coach Alice Cheng says.
What if I’m too old or too inexperienced to switch careers?
Trying out a new profession may sound more intuitive for someone in their 20s, still building skills and finding their way in the world.
But people of all life stages are equipped to make the move if they want to, Ms Cheng says.
“In your 40s, this is where you get more confident with yourself knowing exactly what you want, what drains you, what energises you.
“In your 50s, as you’re heading towards the sunset in your career, it’s the time to decide whether you want to continue doing what you’re doing or live the next 10-15 years differently.”
Depending on the industry, new migrants in Australia may not have the local experience required in some roles.
But unless you’re learning a new trade altogether, think of any transferable skills and experience you bring with you, whether in paid or unpaid roles you have had.
“Think ‘what are my strengths?’, ‘what else can I bring compared to a local applicant?’ and then sell yourself on that resume, go to interviews with confidence… and don’t be afraid if you get a no,” Ms Cheng says.
And if you’re thinking your accent may be an issue, her advice is to just focus on claiming your new path.
I assure you from the hundreds of people I've coached who predominantly have English as a second language, they tend to think English is their barrier and it's all in their minds.Alice Cheng
She says, most people have an accent in Australia nowadays.
Where can I find information and advice on career change in Australia?
For information and support on pathways to reskill, vocational education and industry job trends in your area, visit your state or territory’s dedicated government website
You can also visit workforceaustralia.gov.au to use a Job Switch tool to help you find employment options that match your current skills and qualifications.
If you are aged 45 or over, check out the Career Transition Assistance program.
Some jurisdictions, like Victoria and Western Australia, have one-stop-shop centres for free career, training and employment assistance.
Craig Robertson is the Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Skills Authority.
VSA runs several Skills and Jobs centres on TAFE campuses across the state.
“They are available to the general public,” Mr Robertson says.
“And because they operate in community, they have a good understanding of jobs in that particular region… and professional advisers who can give independent careers advice.”
If you’re seeking insights into the Australian labour market, Mr Robertson recommends using the online tools on yourcareer.gov.au.
“It's an online search engine where you can put in a lot of questions about areas that you think about changing your career to.”
It will feed back information such as:
- what are the job prospects?
- what are the wages outcomes?
- what would be the courses that would most prepare you to be competitive for some of those jobs?
What are some current and future trends in Australia’s labour market?
To become more competitive in Australia’s labour market by upskilling, consider getting trained in artificial intelligence.
“Industries are particularly looking for people with AI competencies,” Dr Caroline Knight, senior lecturer at the University of Queensland Business School, says.
Hybrid work is also here to stay, according to Dr Knight.
There's been a culture shift in terms of how technologies and security have improved so that we can work from home much more easily.Dr Caroline Knight
Frontline workers of course are an exception.
“But in most industries, there are roles where potentially people can work from home,” Dr Knight says.
How do I know it’s time to leave a career?
Not everyone decides to change careers to pursue new challenges and rewards.
Some do so to escape a negative situation, a toxic work environment, or because of burnout.
Only you can assess if it’s the right time to move on, Dr Knight says.
Sometimes, it may be best to first have a conversation with your manager and discuss any issues you are facing.
“It’s a shame if you're driven out of a career that you would have loved, because you've got so burnt out you can't deal with that environment anymore.
“But if you feel like you just don't fit the job, then definitely it's a good idea to move.”
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