Key jobs in demand for 2025 in Australia
In our 2025 Salary Guide, we've uncovered the top roles shaping Australia's job market this year. Drawing insights from conversations with hiring managers and industry leaders, our expert recruitment teams have identified the hottest jobs in Australia that employers seek in 2025. Whether you're planning your next career move or hiring top talent, this list has you covered!
Note: These roles are only from within the industries and sectors in which we have recruitment expertise - there will undoubtedly be others that are hotly in demand this year.
1. Senior Business Analyst
Senior Business Analysts analyse a company’s processes and devise strategies on how they can improve efficiency. This contributes towards strong future planning and ensuring business goals are met. They work closely with different parts of the business to understand their processes and systems and then develop a strategy on how to implement improvements.
- Academic Degrees and Certifications
- Degree in business information systems, business computing systems or an IT-related subject
- Business Intelligence and Analytics
- Strategic Business Management
- Recommended skills for success
- Deep understanding of the business and the sector in which it operates
- Internal and external communication
- Data modelling/visualisation
- Stakeholder management
- Excellent analytical skills
- Project management experience
- Database proficiency
- Programming languages
- Software development
- Average salary range
- $130,000 - $150,000
2. Project Manager
A Project Manager of Projects Strategy and Change is responsible for leading complex, strategic initiatives within an organisation. They focus on driving change by aligning project execution with business strategy, ensuring seamless integration of new processes, systems, or policies.
These professionals are key to transforming organisational objectives into actionable outcomes, managing stakeholder expectations, and promoting a culture of adaptability and innovation.
- Academic Degrees and Certifications
- Degree in Business Administration, Management, Change Management, or a related field
- Advanced Degrees (MBA or equivalent) are often advantageous
- Certifications such as PMP, PRINCE2, Agile (e.g., Certified ScrumMaster), or Change Management certifications (e.g., PROSCI, CCMP)
- Recommended skills for success
- Strategic planning and project alignment
- Change management expertise
- Advanced stakeholder management and communication
- Process improvement and optimisation
- Risk management and mitigation
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Average salary range
- $125,000 - $170,000
3. Finance Manager
A Finance Manager is crucial in overseeing an organisation's financial health and ensuring efficient financial management and reporting. They provide strategic insights and manage budgets, forecasts, and financial planning to drive the organisation's profitability and sustainability.
Finance Managers play a central role in advising senior management on financial decisions, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation, making them integral to achieving long-term financial goals.
- Academic Degrees and Certifications
- Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
- Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) with a Finance specialisation (optional but beneficial)
- Professional certifications such as CPA, CFA, ACCA, or CA
- Recommended skills for success
- Financial reporting and analysis
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Strategic financial planning
- Leadership and team management
- Risk management and compliance
- Advanced Excel and financial modelling
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Average salary range
- $140,000 - $180,000
4. Program Manager
A Program Manager of Projects Strategy and Change is a senior-level leader responsible for managing and coordinating a portfolio of strategic initiatives that drive transformation within an organisation. They oversee the alignment of multiple projects with the organisation's long-term goals, ensuring that change efforts deliver measurable value.
These professionals are instrumental in fostering collaboration among stakeholders, managing risks, and ensuring the successful integration of new strategies, systems, or processes.
- Academic Degrees and Certifications
- Degree in Business Administration, Management, Change Management, or a related field
- Advanced Degrees (MBA or equivalent) are highly beneficial
- Certifications such as PgMP (Program Management Professional), PMP, PRINCE2, or Change Management (e.g., PROSCI, CCMP)
- Recommended skills for success
- Program and portfolio management expertise
- Strategic alignment and planning
- Advanced change management and transformation leadership
- Stakeholder management and engagement
- Financial management and budgeting
- Problem-solving and decision-making
- Communication and influence across diverse teams
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Average salary range
- $200,000 - $240,000
5. Data Scientist
A Data Scientist is a critical role in leveraging data to drive decision-making and innovation within an organisation. They use advanced analytics, machine learning, and statistical techniques to extract insights from large datasets, solving complex business problems and enabling data-driven strategies.
Data Scientists are essential for organisations looking to gain a competitive edge through predictive modelling, trend analysis, and actionable insights.
- Academic Degrees and Certifications
- Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or a related field
- Master's or PhD in Data Science, Machine Learning, or Artificial Intelligence (optional but highly valued)
- Certifications in Machine Learning, Data Analysis, Python, or R (e.g., Microsoft Certified Data Scientist, AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty)
- Recommended skills for success
- Proficiency in programming languages (Python, R, SQL)
- Expertise in machine learning algorithms and frameworks
- Data visualisation and storytelling (Tableau, Power BI, or similar)
- Statistical modelling and predictive analytics
- Data wrangling and pre-processing
- Big data technologies (Hadoop, Spark)
- Communication and problem-solving skills
- Average salary range
- $120,000 - $180,000
Visit our 2025 Salary Guide to view salary information about a wide range of roles in Australia.
