It’s a big ask for a new school leaver, or even an older head deciding on a career change, to figure out how to approach the issue of higher education.
Seek Australia’s senior economist Blair Chapman, however, has identified five courses in particular he has claimed will help set up potential graduates in a future-proof career.
Chapman said the results were based not just on current market demand but also long-range forecasts.
Here are the top five qualifications as according to Dr Chapman.
Of course, people should consider carefully before choosing a higher education course.
Certificate III in Carpentry or Plumbing
"There's strong long-term demand for skilled tradespeople to build the homes we need, making this can be a smart, future-proof choice," Chapman said.
Both plumbing and carpentry qualifications will allow holders to swiftly enter into high-demand trades, particularly as Australia works to increase its housing supply.
Bachelor of Nursing or Certificate III in Individual Support
This degree provides potential pathways into everything from home support care to hospital jobs, with an increasingly older population more and more in need of these services.
"As the cohort of older Australians becomes larger, and individuals become increasingly health conscious, the need for more people with healthcare and broader care skills is only going to grow," Chapman said.
Bachelor of Information Technology
Cybersecurity will only grow in importance in the immediate and near future, both between states and against criminals and rogue actors.
"A degree in cybersecurity is likely to be a valuable degree to have going forward, with businesses needing to secure their systems and data against potential breaches," Chapman said.
It's also a solid base from which to build further IT qualifications in an increasingly digital world.
Bachelor of Psychology
"This will be a valuable qualification in the future, as demand for mental health services continues to grow," Chapman said.
Mental wellbeing is increasingly a priority for Australians across multiple generations.
Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Australia's - and the world's - ongoing transfer to renewable and other kinds of energy has put electricians in prime position.
And it's not just the energy sector but also the construction sector in need of them.
"A Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician is an extremely useful qualification, with electricians likely to be in short supply," Chapman said.
