When we moved to Australia, like a lot of families, we had dreams of making it big—finding some stability, giving our kids a happy life, and maybe even getting one of those high-paying jobs that everyone talks about. You know, the ones that show up in articles like Australia’s Highest-Paid Jobs Revealed (I saw one in the Australian Financial Review the other day). The numbers look pretty amazing. And if you're a numbers person like me, you can’t help but start doing the math in your head—what would life look like with a bigger paycheck?
But as we’ve settled into our more simple and down-to-earth routine, the truth started to sink in. These jobs aren’t exactly easy to get. They don’t come with flashing lights on Seek saying, "Hey, apply here and make $200K!" Nope, there's a bit more to it than that.
Let’s look at some of these high-paying jobs and break down the reality of actually landing one, especially if you’re just starting out here like we were.
Pretty crazy numbers, right? I mean, the thought of earning $480,298 as a surgeon seems like the answer to all of life’s problems. But here's the kicker—it’s not as easy as just deciding, "Hey, I’ll be a surgeon now."
But How Do You Actually Get These Jobs?
Let’s be real. These jobs are for people with years (and years) of training. Take doctors, for example. If you want to become a surgeon or an anesthetist, you’re looking at a decade of study and experience, plus passing some pretty tough exams. And we’re not even talking about the cost of all that education. If you’re like me, raising a family and trying to save for a house, diving into a massive student loan just isn’t practical.
And CEOs and top-tier lawyers? Well, unless you’ve been climbing the corporate ladder or working in a big firm for years, those roles can feel pretty out of reach. It’s not impossible, but for us, just starting fresh in Australia, it’s more like a long-term dream than an immediate goal.
The Struggle to Even Get Here
Now, before we even arrived, we were in a tough spot. We applied for so many jobs outside Australia, but nobody replied. It honestly felt like we were being ignored, which was incredibly frustrating. We even started to think, maybe it’s not possible to break into the market unless you’re physically here. Eventually, we managed to come because of my husband’s company transfer program—that’s what finally gave us a foot in the door. Without that, it would’ve been really, really hard to make the move. It wasn’t like we could just pick up and go—there were no jobs waiting for us.
Australian Experience vs. Overseas Experience
One thing we’ve really noticed—Australian experience matters. If you’ve worked in a similar job overseas, it might help, but in many cases, it’s not enough. Employers want people who know how things work here, whether it’s the healthcare system, legal system, or even just local construction standards.
A friend of ours who was an engineer back home? He had to take extra courses to even be considered for a similar role here. And then there are certifications. A lot of trades, like electricians or carpenters, need specific Australian certificates. No matter how much experience you have from back home, you might still need to start from scratch.
Reality Check: Is It Worth It?
So, is it worth chasing these high-paying jobs? Sure, if that’s your passion. But for us, we’re more about finding balance. My husband works hard, and we’re not pulling in $480,298 (or anywhere close), but we’re making do. We find joy in the little things—our Saturday dinners out, the home-cooked meals on Sundays, and just knowing we have a safe home for our kids. That’s our version of wealth.
Of course, we’ve had those moments where we thought, "What if?" What if we had the money for that dream house, or the fancy vacations you see people taking? But honestly, chasing those top jobs would mean sacrificing so much time with our kids, so much of the simple life we love.
So, What’s the Takeaway?
If you're looking at these high-paying jobs and wondering, "Is it even possible?"—my answer is, maybe. But it takes time, dedication, and often starting lower down the ladder, especially if you’re new to Australia like we were. And honestly, there’s no rush. If you’re happy, like we are, with the little things, you don’t need the biggest salary to feel like you're successful.
Our family finds happiness in those small, precious moments. The numbers might not always add up the way we expected, but what matters most is that we’re together, and we’re content. That, to me, is wealth.
Note: I have the whole list of Australia’s Highest-Paid Jobs—426 jobs in total! If you’re interested, feel free to contact me, and I’ll be happy to share it with you.