Careers Adviser

A Careers Adviser guides individuals through educational and vocational decision-making by assessing their interests, aptitudes, and circumstances, then matching them with suitable training pathways, apprenticeships, or employment opportunities. Working in schools, training providers, employment services, or community organisations, they conduct one-on-one and group sessions, interpret labour market data, and facilitate connections between clients and employers or educational institutions.

Conduct individual career counselling sessions using assessment tools such as interest inventories and aptitude tests to identify client strengths and career preferences. Analyse labour market information and employment trends from sources such as Jobs and Skills Australia, SEEK, and state government workforce data to inform career recommendations. Develop individualised career action plans that outline education pathways, certification requirements, and job search strategies aligned with client goals. Advise on Australian apprenticeship and traineeship options, including eligibility criteria, wage subsidies, and registration with state training authorities. Navigate vocational education and training (VET) programme structures, including TAFE, private RTOs, and skill recognition through the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Provide guidance on Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) and VET student loans to support informed financial decisions about training investment. Prepare clients for job applications and interviews through resume review, LinkedIn optimisation, and practice interview scenarios. Liaise with employers, training providers, and educational institutions to identify placement opportunities and gather current industry requirements.

The standard entry pathway requires a bachelor degree or higher (ABS Skill Level 1). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

Most positions are in schools, TAFE, or government employment services where salaries are modest and don't climb much past mid-range, even with experience. You're also dealing with people making huge life decisions while under budget pressure to process clients fast, which means real frustration when you can't give someone the time they need.

Schools employ most advisers, so jobs concentrate in populated areas across all states. TAFE and government employment services (like Workforce Australia providers) are in every capital city and major regional centre. Remote work is rare in this role because you need face-to-face sessions. Practically speaking, metro areas have more options and competition, while regional areas often have fewer adviser roles despite steady demand.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2721, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Active Listeningcore
• Case Note Documentationcore
• Confidentiality and Privacy Compliancecore
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivitycore
• Customer Needs Assessmentcore
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligencecore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Group Facilitationcore
• Participant or Client Advocacycore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Service Navigation and Referralcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Appointment Scheduling
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Digital Literacy
• Inclusive Practice
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
• Professional Boundaries Maintenance
• Referral Coordination
• Report Writing
• Time Management and Prioritisation

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 10 October 2026