Where you live shapes where you start. The good news is that Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne are three of the strongest cities in Australia for entry-level work, each with different industries doing most of the hiring.
Here’s a city-by-city breakdown of where school leavers are finding their first real opportunity right now.
Brisbane
Brisbane is booming. With the 2032 Olympics infrastructure underway and Queensland’s construction sector running at full pace, trades and construction are some of the best entry points for school leavers right now. Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, concreting, landscaping, all have active apprenticeship pipelines.
Outside of trades, hospitality is enormous in Brisbane. Restaurants, cafes, bars, and hotels are constantly hiring. If you’re willing to work evenings and weekends, you’ll find work faster than almost anywhere else. Retail is similar, Westfield centres and major retail strips across Chermside, Carindale, Garden City, and the CBD are reliable entry points.
Healthcare support is also growing fast. Aged care and disability support roles in Brisbane often have no minimum experience requirements and provide on-the-job training.
Best industries for Brisbane school leavers: Construction & trades, hospitality, retail, healthcare support, administration
Sydney
Sydney is competitive, but it’s also the biggest market in the country. More employers, more jobs, more options. The downside is more applicants for each one.
The hospitality industry in Sydney, particularly in the CBD, Surry Hills, Newtown, and the Northern Beaches, is always short-staffed. If you can get barista experience or work on the floor in a busy venue, you’ll have something to build on quickly.
Retail is a reliable starter in Sydney. The inner-city and major suburban centres hire constantly. Customer service roles in retail teach skills that translate to almost any career.
Finance and business administration entry-level roles are more common in Sydney than anywhere else in Australia. School leavers who show up professionally and can communicate clearly will find opportunities in reception, admin, and accounts support roles.
Best industries for Sydney school leavers: Hospitality, retail, administration, customer service, finance support
Melbourne
Melbourne has one of the most diverse economies in Australia, which works in a school leaver’s favour. There’s a wider spread of industries hiring entry-level than you’ll find in most cities.
The creative industries, design, media, events, arts, are concentrated in Melbourne. If that’s your direction, Melbourne is the place to start building your profile early.
Trades are strong. Melbourne’s ongoing construction and residential development means electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and concreters are all in demand, with apprenticeship intakes happening year-round.
Retail and hospitality are as strong in Melbourne as anywhere. The city’s famous café culture means barista and hospitality roles are almost always available, and Melbourne employers tend to invest more in training young staff.
Best industries for Melbourne school leavers: Trades, hospitality, retail, creative industries, administration
Knowing your city is a start. But knowing what you’re actually suited to makes the whole process faster, and less frustrating. RooKi matches you to the right career categories based on how you think and work, so you’re not just applying to whatever’s available.