The need for skilled healthcare workers is putting the industry under pressure, driving in-demand jobs for the profession. This has opened doors to those wishing to enter the sector as the need for qualified workers amplifies. Many health professions are experiencing shortages across various industries, including nursing, mental health, public health and more.
We investigate the seven most in-demand healthcare jobs in 2025 and identify the best ways to get there.
How to work towards a fulfilling healthcare career in 2025
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers have faced enormous pressures due to heavy workloads, workforce shortages and an ageing population. This has led to many healthcare employees seeking a change in careers – however, it’s not just the healthcare industry seeing job mobility. According to the ABS, eight per cent of Australia’s population have changed jobs in the year ending February 2024.
Continued funding and digital transformation in the healthcare industry have also led to increased career opportunities with the Australian government injecting $146.1 billion into health and aged care from 2024 through 2025.
Let’s take a look at some of the top health field jobs in demand for 2025 and beyond.
The top 7 healthcare jobs most in demand in Australia
The demand for healthcare workers is increasing locally and globally. According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated health professional shortage of 10 million will occur by 2030. As a result, now is a great time to start a career in healthcare or shift to a different area of the industry, as employers are looking for skilled professionals to step into roles.
Where are the most in-demand locations for healthcare professionals?
Healthcare workers are needed all over Australia, particularly in regional and rural areas.
To encourage healthcare professionals to work in these areas, the government has developed a rural health strategy which consists of incentives, targeted funding and bonding arrangements that encourages healthcare professionals to train and practise in rural Australia.
So, what jobs are in demand in the Australian healthcare industry?
Let’s look in more detail at the top seven health field jobs in demand.
1. Nursing jobs in demand
Nursing will be among the most in-demand jobs in 2025. While the number of registered and employed nurses increased 13 per cent between 2019 and 2023 – growing from 344,941 employed to 391,241 – , a nursing supply and demand study conducted by the Department of Health and Aged Care predicts that there will still be a shortage of 79,473 nurses by 2035.
Through initiatives such as the Workforce Incentive Program Practice Stream, the Australian Government has invested a further $445.1 billion over five years to address gaps in services for local communities. This, in turn, creates greater job opportunities for nursing and allied health professionals.
If you are interested in becoming a nurse, take a look at the range of nursing courses offered by our university partners.
The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.
2. Mental health jobs in demand
Almost half of all Australian adults, a total of 7.3 million individuals, will face mental illness during their lives. According to the Australian Psychological Society, there is a critical shortage of mental health professionals with studies showing that Australia is expected to be 60 per cent shy of its required mental health workforce by 2030.
Federal and state governments have committed to investing in the sector further, focusing on telehealth, regional support and expanding the headspace network. Over time, several different mental health practitioners will be needed to support this growing sector, including, but not limited to, counsellors, mental health nurses and psychologists.
If you are interested in working in the mental health sector, take a look at the mental health courses offered by our university partners.
The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.
3. Public health jobs in demand
Public health jobs encompass a wide range of roles focused on promoting and protecting the health of communities and populations. These jobs may include epidemiologists, health educators, community health workers, public health analysts, public health nurses and more.
The importance of the public health sector was highlighted during COVID-19. This has shone a spotlight on public health jobs and identified how critical they are during times of crisis or outbreak.
There are a wide range of public health job opportunities available in Australia. If you’re interested, explore the public health courses offered by our university partners to jumpstart your career in this field.
The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.
4. Allied health jobs in demand
Allied health includes a wide range of healthcare professions, such as counselling, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, dietetics, social work and more.
These professionals play a crucial role in the wider healthcare system, alleviating the pressures on hospitals and primary care facilities by working alongside medical practitioners and nurses to provide a holistic approach to patient care.
Allied health is one of the fastest-growing sectors in Australia’s workforce, with fields such as occupational therapy, osteopathy and physiotherapy experiencing significant growth. Despite this growth, however, there is still a national shortage for some allied health professions.
The 2024 Occupation Shortage List highlights numerous allied health roles, including psychologists, social workers and speech pathologists, which are currently facing shortages in most states and territories across metropolitan and regional Australia.
If you’re interested in working in allied health, our university partners offer courses in counselling, psychology and social work to help you gain the skills and qualifications needed to start or advance your career in this growing field.
The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.
5. Medical practitioner jobs in demand
Medical practitioners such as GPs are in demand across Australia. Particular shortages in this field include regional and remote communities.
The Australian government is looking to boost employment in this sector by offering financial incentives for GPs to practise in regional, rural and remote communities. The Workforce Incentive Program Doctor Stream, for example, is designed to encourage careers in rural medicine by making direct payments to doctors who practise in underserved communities.
If you are keen on becoming a GP in Australia, the entire process can take up to ten years as you will need to complete the necessary education, an intern year in an accredited setting and obtain registration and residency before becoming a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
6. Healthcare leadership jobs in demand
Healthcare leadership encompasses a diverse range of roles including nurse unit managers, aged care managers, clinical care managers and more. These positions are vital to the healthcare system as managers play a key role in overseeing teams, mentoring and guiding staff and effectively managing resources.
The demand for skilled healthcare leaders continues to grow, driven by workforce shortages across the sector. According to SEEK, nurse leadership roles such as nurse unit managers are projected to grow by over 23 per cent within the next five years. However, the ongoing shortage of nurses means that there are fewer qualified nurse managers to support and oversee the nursing workforce.
This leadership gap extends to other sectors such as aged care which is expected to face a shortage of at least 110,000 workers within the next decade, impacting the availability of experienced aged care managers.
With healthcare leadership roles in high demand, now is the time to step into a leadership position. Our university partners offer leadership and management courses designed to help you gain the skills and knowledge to prepare you for leadership positions in healthcare.
The courses below are listed by qualification level, from lowest to highest.
7. Dentist jobs in demand
Dentists play an important role in maintaining and improving oral health, diagnosing and treating dental issues and educating patients about oral hygiene practices. They perform procedures ranging from routine cleanings and fillings to dental surgeries.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the number of dentists in Australia has risen from 20,500 in 2013 to approximately 26,200 in 2022. Despite this growth, the Occupational Shortage List indicates an ongoing shortage of dentists across all states and territories.
In particular, the Australian Dental Association has highlighted a critical need for more dental professionals in rural, regional and remote areas of Australia. To attract dentists to underserved regions, states like Western Australia and New South Wales have introduced rural incentive packages aimed at attracting and retaining oral health professionals in underserved areas.
If you are interested in becoming a dentist, you must undertake the necessary education which includes completing a Doctor of Dental Medicine before registering with the Dental Board of Australia.
Launch your healthcare career with online postgraduate education
With healthcare roles being some of the most in-demand jobs in Australia in 2025, now is an optimistic time to start working towards a career within the industry.
Currently working in healthcare?
Studying for a postgraduate degree can help you upskill, become a specialist and find more opportunities in your field. It’ll help you identify what jobs are in demand and where to focus your career.
Study flexibly with online delivery
GlobalHealth Education partners with some of Australia’s leading healthcare universities to deliver high-quality online courses. Our university partners’ online courses are flexible, meaning you can study at your own pace while balancing work and personal commitments. This makes it easier to transition into a new career upon graduation.
Start your journey towards the healthcare jobs most in demand Australia-wide with GlobalHealth Education
The healthcare industry is growing and moving into new, promising realms. With so many healthcare jobs in demand in 2025, now is the perfect time to start studying for a postgraduate degree to help you thrive in your career. Make the leap into a rewarding industry in 2025. Browse online courses from our partner universities and find out how you can make a difference in public health, mental health, nursing and more.
