Doc Summary
If you’ve searched “what to study in Australia Reddit,” you’re not alone. Reddit offers honest, on-the-ground perspectives from students and graduates. Yet course decisions should balance those anecdotes with official job, visa, and education data. This guide synthesises top Reddit insights with Australian labour-market trends, migration settings, and course regulations to help you choose with confidence—whether you’re an international student, planning migration, or pursuing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
Quick answer: High-demand study areas in Australia right now #
Based on current skills demand and visa settings, consider these fields:
- Healthcare: Nursing, Aged Care, Disability Support, Mental Health (consistent workforce demand). See Labour Market Insights.
- Allied Health: Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Medical Laboratory Science (strong ageing population demand).
- Early Childhood & Education: Early Childhood Education, Secondary STEM teaching (teacher shortages in many states).
- IT & Cyber: Cybersecurity, Cloud, Data, Software Engineering (robust growth; see Labour Market Insights). Community insights at r/cscareerquestionsOCE.
- Engineering: Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Mining (infrastructure and energy transition projects). Cross-check the Skilled Occupation Lists.
- Construction & Trades (VET): Carpentry, Plumbing, Electrical, Project Management (major build pipeline).
- Supply Chain & Logistics: Procurement, Transport, Warehouse Automation (e-commerce growth).
- Agriculture & Environment: Agribusiness, Horticulture, Environmental Science (regional opportunities).
- Hospitality & Cookery (VET): Chefs remain in demand, especially in tourism hubs.
- Business Analytics: Business Information Systems, Analytics for non-tech roles.
Important: Always confirm your occupation appears on relevant skilled lists and that your course is CRICOS-registered for a student visa: Skilled occupation lists and CRICOS.
How Reddit can help—and its limits #
Reddit is excellent for lived experiences, campus culture, and job-hunt realities. Useful communities include r/AusUni, r/InternationalStudents, r/movingtoaustralia, r/australia, and for tech careers r/cscareerquestionsOCE. Look for posts discussing:
- Graduate outcomes and starting salaries by field
- Internships, networking, and employer expectations
- City-specific job markets (Sydney/Melbourne vs regional)
- Real workloads, placements, and course quality
Limits: Reddit is anecdotal and time-bound. Visa rules, skills lists, and post-study work rights evolve. Always verify claims against official sources like Study Australia and Labour Market Insights.
Align your study choice with visas, PR pathways, and skills assessment #
- CRICOS & visa compliance: Your primary course must be CRICOS-registered to meet student visa (subclass 500) requirements. Check courses at CRICOS and visa settings at Student visa (500).
- Skilled occupation lists: If migration is a goal, ensure the target occupation appears on relevant lists and understand the skills assessment authority (e.g., ACS for ICT, Engineers Australia, ANMAC for Nursing). See official lists.
- Post-study work rights: Duration varies by qualification level and location (regional incentives may apply). Review current rules at Post-study work rights.
- RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning): If you have experience, RPL can count towards an Australian qualification, reducing time and cost. Learn about RPL from the regulator at ASQA. Skills Campus can assess your RPL options and map pathways.
University vs VET: choose the right track for outcomes and budget #
- University (Higher Education): Ideal for professions like Nursing, Engineering, IT, teaching, and allied health. Longer duration, higher fees, strong professional accreditation options.
- VET (TAFE/Colleges): Practical, job-ready pathways for trades, cookery, childcare, aged care, project management. Faster entry to workforce; some pathways ladder into higher education.
Reddit often reports that VET can be cost-effective and lead to solid earnings in trades, while university degrees can be essential for regulated professions. Confirm accreditation requirements for your profession via relevant authorities and Labour Market Insights.
Choose your city strategically #
- Sydney & Melbourne: Largest markets for IT, finance, consulting, health.
- Brisbane & Adelaide: Growth in health, education, and advanced manufacturing.
- Perth: Resources, engineering, and energy roles.
- Regional Australia: Incentives and additional post-study work options; strong demand in healthcare, education, and agriculture.
Tip: Compare employment hubs for your field and cross-check with post-study work rights by location: official guidance.
Costs, work hours, and the reality check #
- Tuition & living: Fees vary widely by institution and level; plan for living costs across your chosen city.
- Work rights: Students on subclass 500 have regulated work limits—always confirm current settings at Home Affairs.
- Employability: Internships, placements, and networking often matter as much as grades. Reddit threads frequently highlight the value of early industry exposure.
Step-by-step plan to decide what to study #
- Define your goal: PR pathway, faster employment, or career change?
- Shortlist 3–5 fields: Use Labour Market Insights to compare demand, salaries, and growth.
- Validate with Reddit: Search subreddits for your field, city, and provider; note recurring themes.
- Verify officially: Check CRICOS registration, skilled lists, and post-study work rules using links above.
- Assess RPL: Map your prior experience to save time/cost via ASQA guidance.
- Speak with an expert: A registered consultant like Skills Campus can align study choices with visa strategy and employment outcomes.
FAQs we often see on Reddit #
Is XYZ course “good for PR”? No course guarantees PR. Outcomes depend on occupation lists, points, skills assessment, English, and state/territory needs. Start with the Skilled Occupation Lists and plan accordingly.
Can I switch courses after arriving? Possible, but it may affect your visa. Always review current Home Affairs rules and speak to your provider.
Do regional campuses help? Regional study can offer incentives and additional post-study work options. Confirm latest settings at Study Australia.
Make an informed decision with expert support #
Reddit offers invaluable community insights, but the best outcomes come from pairing those insights with official data, compliance checks, and a personalised plan. As an Australian education, RPL, and migration consultancy, Skills Campus helps you select high-demand courses, leverage RPL where possible, and map study to visa and career goals. For a tailored consultation, contact us today: https://skillscampus.com.au/contact.
