Australia is home to several STEM fields that can lead to some of the country's highest-paying professional careers. Engineering, computer science, mathematics, technology, and resource-related disciplines are particularly attractive for students seeking strong long-term earning potential.

Australia's labour market also offers an important advantage for STEM graduates: many technical skills are transferable across industries. A computer science graduate, for example, can work in technology, financial services, telecommunications, healthcare, government, or professional services. An engineering graduate can move between mining, energy, construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, and technology.

However, the highest-paying STEM degree is not necessarily the degree with the highest starting salary. Earnings vary according to occupation, experience, industry, location, specialization, and seniority.

The following degrees provide pathways into some of Australia's highest-paying STEM occupations.

1. Mining Engineering

Mining engineering is one of Australia's strongest high-paying STEM pathways, reflecting the importance of the country's mining and resources industry.

Mining engineers plan and direct the engineering aspects of locating and extracting minerals, petroleum, and natural gas. Their work can involve mine design, extraction methods, production planning, safety, project management, and resource development.

According to Jobs and Skills Australia, Mining Engineers have median full-time earnings of $3,518 per week, compared with $1,852 across all occupations. Their median hourly earnings are $79 per hour. The occupation employed approximately 17,300 people, with employment increasing by 1,500 over the year covered by the current profile.

Potential careers

• Mining engineer
• Mine planning engineer
• Mining project engineer
• Resource engineer
• Production engineer
• Geotechnical engineer
• Petroleum engineer

Mining engineering is particularly relevant in Western Australia and Queensland, where much of Australia's mining activity is concentrated. Jobs and Skills Australia reports that Australia's mining industry employs around 314,500 people and has median weekly industry earnings of $2,832.

Students should also consider the location and lifestyle associated with many mining careers, as some positions are based in regional or remote areas.

2. Chemical and Materials Engineering

Chemical and materials engineering combines chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering to develop industrial processes and advanced materials.

Chemical engineers work with processes involving chemicals, fuels, energy, food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial production, while materials engineers study and develop materials such as metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports median full-time earnings of $2,849 per week for the combined Chemical and Materials Engineers occupation group, compared with $1,852 across all occupations. Median hourly earnings are $75 per hour.

Potential careers

• Chemical engineer
• Materials engineer
• Process engineer
• Production engineer
• Energy engineer
• Pharmaceutical engineer
• Materials scientist
• Process safety engineer

These degrees can be particularly useful for students interested in energy, mining, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, food production, and emerging technologies.

3. Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Electrical and electronic engineering provides access to high-skilled careers across energy, telecommunications, electronics, automation, transport, manufacturing, and technology.

Electrical engineers work with electrical power systems and infrastructure, while electronic engineers design and develop electronic components, communication systems, control systems, and related technologies.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports particularly strong earnings for electronic engineers. Electronics Engineers have median full-time earnings of $2,762 per week and median hourly earnings of $74 per hour.

Potential careers

• Electrical engineer
• Electronics engineer
• Power systems engineer
• Telecommunications engineer
• Control systems engineer
• Automation engineer
• Electronics design engineer
• Embedded systems engineer

The degree is particularly relevant to Australia's energy transition, telecommunications infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, automation, and technology sectors.

4. Computer Science

Computer science is one of the most versatile high-paying STEM degrees available in Australia.

Graduates can move into software development, software engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, data engineering, systems architecture, and technology consulting.

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that the broader Software and Applications Programmers occupation employs approximately 203,200 people in Australia. The occupation has median full-time earnings of $2,537 per week and median hourly earnings of $67 per hour, compared with $1,852 and $47 respectively across all occupations. Employment increased by approximately 13,700 over the year covered by the current profile.

Potential careers

• Software engineer
• Software developer
• AI engineer
• Machine learning engineer
• Cloud engineer
• Data engineer
• Systems architect
• Cybersecurity professional
• Technology consultant

Computer science is especially attractive because graduates are not restricted to one industry. Software professionals work across professional services, financial services, information technology, telecommunications, healthcare, government, and other sectors.

5. Engineering

Engineering is one of Australia's broadest high-paying STEM fields and can lead to careers across infrastructure, construction, energy, mining, manufacturing, transportation, and technology.

While engineering is a broad category rather than a single degree, students can specialize in areas such as civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, mining, environmental, or aerospace engineering.

Civil engineering is particularly significant in Australia. Jobs and Skills Australia reports approximately 76,800 workers in the broader Civil Engineering Professionals group, with median full-time earnings of $2,217 per week and median hourly earnings of $59. Employment in the group increased by approximately 1,700 over the year covered by the current profile.

Potential careers

• Civil engineer
• Mechanical engineer
• Electrical engineer
• Structural engineer
• Environmental engineer
• Transport engineer
• Project engineer
• Manufacturing engineer

Engineering is particularly useful for students who want a STEM degree with applications across several industries.

6. Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science

Mathematics and statistics can lead to high-paying careers in finance, insurance, technology, research, data analysis, and risk management.

Actuarial science is especially associated with financial risk assessment. Actuaries use mathematical, statistical, demographic, and financial data to assess risks and inform decisions involving insurance, pensions, investments, and other financial products.

Jobs and Skills Australia groups actuaries, mathematicians, and statisticians together. The occupation group has median full-time earnings of $2,072 per week and median hourly earnings of $56 per hour.

Potential careers

• Actuary
• Statistician
• Mathematician
• Data scientist
• Quantitative analyst
• Risk analyst
• Financial modeller
• Operations research analyst

Students interested in actuarial careers should understand that becoming a fully qualified actuary requires professional study and examinations in addition to a university degree.

Mathematics can also provide a pathway into data science and technology, particularly when combined with programming and statistical skills.

7. Computer and Network Engineering

Computer and network engineering combines computing with hardware, networking, systems architecture, telecommunications, and infrastructure.

The field is relevant to organizations that need professionals capable of designing, deploying, maintaining, and securing complex computer and network systems.

Jobs and Skills Australia's occupation data shows that computer network and systems engineers work across network infrastructure, operating systems, systems integration, troubleshooting, and network optimization.

Potential careers

• Computer systems engineer
• Network engineer
• Systems engineer
• Network architect
• Telecommunications engineer
• Infrastructure engineer
• Systems administrator
• Network security engineer

The field can be particularly attractive for students interested in the technical infrastructure behind cloud computing, telecommunications, data centres, and enterprise technology.

8. Environmental and Other Engineering

Environmental engineering and related engineering disciplines can provide access to well-paid technical careers while addressing Australia's infrastructure, resource, environmental, and energy needs.

Jobs and Skills Australia groups several specialist engineering occupations—including aeronautical, agricultural, biomedical, environmental, and naval engineering—within its "Other Engineering Professionals" category.

This group has median full-time earnings of $2,649 per week and median hourly earnings of $70 per hour, substantially above the all-occupation median of $1,852 per week.

Potential careers

• Environmental engineer
• Biomedical engineer
• Aeronautical engineer
• Agricultural engineer
• Naval architect
• Environmental systems engineer
• Engineering technologist
• Sustainability engineer

The range of careers makes this category particularly useful for students who want to combine engineering with environmental, medical, agricultural, aerospace, or marine applications.

Highest-Paying STEM Degrees Compared

The following comparison uses current Australian occupation-level earnings data from Jobs and Skills Australia. Because Australia's official wage data are generally reported by occupation rather than university degree, the figures represent the earning potential associated with representative careers rather than guaranteed salaries for graduates.

STEM degree	Representative occupation	Median full-time earnings
Mining Engineering	Mining Engineer	$3,518/week
Chemical/Materials Engineering	Chemical & Materials Engineer	$2,849/week
Electrical/Electronic Engineering	Electronics Engineer	$2,762/week
Computer Science	Software & Applications Programmer	$2,537/week
Engineering	Civil Engineering Professional	$2,217/week
Mathematics/Statistics	Actuary/Mathematician/Statistician	$2,072/week
Computer/Network Engineering	Computer Network & Systems Engineer	Varies by occupation
Environmental/Other Engineering	Other Engineering Professional	$2,649/week

The figures are median full-time earnings, not starting salaries. Jobs and Skills Australia notes that the figures are guides and do not account for factors such as years of experience and other circumstances that affect individual wages.

Why STEM Degrees Pay Well in Australia

Several factors contribute to the strong earning potential associated with Australian STEM careers.

Australia's resources sector

Australia has a large mining and resources industry, particularly in Western Australia and Queensland.

The mining industry has median weekly earnings of $2,832, significantly above the median across all industries of $1,741. Mining engineers are among the highest-paid technical professionals within this sector.

Technology and digital transformation

Australian businesses increasingly rely on software, cloud computing, data systems, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure.

Software and applications programmers are a large professional occupation in Australia, with more than 200,000 workers and median full-time earnings of $2,537 per week.

Infrastructure development

Engineering professionals are needed for infrastructure, transportation, construction, energy systems, water management, and other major projects.

Civil engineering professionals alone account for approximately 76,800 workers in Australia.

Specialized technical skills

STEM occupations often require university education, professional training, technical expertise, and experience.

These barriers to entry can contribute to higher earnings, particularly in specialized fields such as mining engineering, electronics engineering, software engineering, and chemical and materials engineering.

Best High-Paying STEM Degrees for International Students in Australia

International students should consider more than the salary associated with a particular occupation.

Computer science is one of the most flexible options because its skills can be used across technology, finance, healthcare, government, telecommunications, and professional services.

Electrical and electronic engineering provides access to energy, telecommunications, electronics, automation, and technology.

Mining engineering can provide exceptionally strong earning potential, but the career is more closely connected to Australia's resources sector and may involve regional or remote work.

Chemical and materials engineering offers opportunities across energy, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, resources, and advanced materials.

Mathematics and statistics can be especially valuable for students interested in actuarial science, finance, data science, and quantitative analysis.

Students should therefore compare salary potential with career flexibility, industry conditions, location, professional registration requirements, and post-study work opportunities.

Professional Registration for Engineering Careers

International students choosing engineering should also consider professional recognition.

Engineering is a regulated profession in Australia, and requirements can vary depending on the occupation, state or territory, and type of work.

Graduates seeking professional engineering roles may need to pursue recognition or registration through the relevant Australian authorities and professional bodies.

This makes it important to choose an accredited engineering program and understand the professional requirements associated with the specific engineering career.

Students should not assume that simply completing an engineering degree automatically gives them unrestricted access to every professional engineering position.

Post-Study Work Options for International Students

Australia's post-study work system is an important consideration for international students.

Eligible graduates may be able to apply for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) after completing an eligible Australian qualification, subject to the requirements that apply at the time of application.

The Temporary Graduate visa can provide an opportunity to gain Australian work experience after completing studies.

However, post-study work rights should not be confused with a guarantee of permanent residency.

Students planning to remain in Australia long term should separately examine skilled migration pathways, employer-sponsored visas, state or territory nomination, and the occupation requirements that apply to their intended career.

Australian immigration settings can change, so students should verify the current visa requirements before enrolling in a program.

How to Choose a High-Paying STEM Degree in Australia

1. Compare occupation earnings

Australia's Jobs and Skills Australia data provide current occupation-level earnings that can help students compare potential career outcomes.

For example, mining engineers currently have median full-time earnings of $3,518 per week, while software and applications programmers have median full-time earnings of $2,537 per week.

2. Consider the industry behind the salary

A high salary may be associated with a particular industry rather than the degree itself.

Mining engineering is a good example. Its strong earnings are closely connected to Australia's highly paid resources industry.

Students should therefore consider whether they would actually want to work in the industries where their chosen degree has the strongest earning potential.

3. Consider location

Australia's STEM opportunities are not distributed evenly.

Mining-related careers are concentrated heavily in resource-producing regions, while technology and professional services are more concentrated in major metropolitan areas.

A student's preferred lifestyle and location should therefore be part of the degree decision.

4. Check professional requirements

Engineering and other regulated professions can have registration or accreditation requirements.

Students should investigate these requirements before selecting a university program.

5. Consider career flexibility

A degree that provides several possible career paths can offer greater protection against changes in a particular industry.

Computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and mathematics are examples of STEM fields that can be applied across multiple sectors.

Final Thoughts

Australia offers strong earning opportunities for graduates with advanced STEM skills.

Mining engineering currently stands out among the highest-paying STEM pathways, with mining engineers earning median full-time wages of $3,518 per week. Chemical and materials engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, computer science, and other engineering disciplines also provide pathways into occupations with earnings substantially above the Australian all-occupation median.

Computer science offers particularly strong career flexibility, while engineering provides access to Australia's major infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, resources, and technology industries.

For international students, however, the highest-paying degree is not automatically the best degree.

A stronger decision considers earning potential, industry demand, career flexibility, location, professional requirements, education costs, and post-study work opportunities together.

Students who evaluate these factors can choose a STEM degree that provides not only strong earning potential but also a realistic pathway toward a long-term career in Australia.