There’s never been a better time to discover a career in a creative industry. In fact, Australia’s thriving arts, culture, media, and entertainment industry has played a significant role in helping Australia enjoy uninterrupted economic growth (Austrade).

Your artistic expression doesn’t need to send you broke either, as many creative careers are ranked in the ninth decile for income bracket – in other words, big earners!

According to the ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation, creative industries and creative work in other industries has emerged as one of Australia’s strongest performers, with employment growing steadily.

This is not an exhaustive list, as most professions require elements of creativity. But the following are our picks for the most creative and thriving careers.

 

Business

1. Marketing & Communications Manager

Who says creativity and business are exclusive! As a marketing and communications manager, you find ways to put your company centre stage by developing creative and unique advertising campaigns to promote products and services.

 

2. Creative Director

The head honcho of the advertising world, creative directors collaborate with designers, artists, copywriters, sales teams and marketers to create a vision for products sold. Creative directors must use creative thinking to plan advertising, oversee the creative process and offer guidance to creative teams.

 

Earnings in this industry are high – in the ninth decile. Employment for this occupation rose strongly (in percentage terms) in the past five years and rose strongly in the long-term (ten years). Looking forward, employment for Advertising and Marketing Professionals to November 2020 is expected to grow strongly. (Job Outlook)

 

Writers

3. Copywriter/Content Writer

If words are your muse, then copywriting or content writing could be your creative career of choice. Copywriters interpret how a market will react to an advertising proposal, and write material to advertise products or services.

Content writers are copywriters who specialise in writing for online publications, such as websites, blogs, e-zines, and social media platforms.

 

4. Feature Writers

Quality feature writing combines journalism best practice with creative writing. As a feature writer you research, interview and write feature stories for websites, newspapers and magazines.

 

Earnings for this industry are above average – in the seventh decile. Employment for this occupation rose strongly (in percentage terms) in the past five years and rose strongly in the long-term (ten years). Looking forward, employment for Journalists and Other Writers to November 2020 is expected to grow strongly. (Job Outlook).

 

Designers

5. Fashion Designer

Is there creative profession more stylish than that of a fashion designer? As a fashion designer, you plan and develop new clothing and accessory styles by creating original designs or by adapting fashions to compliment locality and current trends.

Earnings are below average – in the fourth decile. Employment for this occupation rose strongly (in percentage terms) in the past five years and rose very strongly in the long-term (ten years). Looking forward, employment for Fashion, Industrial and Jewellery Designers to November 2020 is expected to grow strongly (Job Outlook).

 

6. Interior Designer

As an interior designer, you create appealing and functional spaces that work together. You skillfully select the perfect colors, shapes and textures and furnishings to tackle challenging design problems. (How do you turn a boxy space into a beautiful and productive office?) Interior designer plan and implement decoration schemes for homes, offices, shops, hotels and venues.

 

Earnings are below average – in the fourth decile. Employment for this occupation rose very strongly (in percentage terms) in the past five years and rose strongly in the long-term (ten years). Looking forward, employment for Interior Designers to November 2020 is expected to grow very strongly (Job Outlook).

 

Film

7. Set Designer

If you’ve got stars in your eyes you’ll be pleased to know film work is no longer ‘Hollywood’ exclusive. Australia has its own thriving film industry. Set designers research, design and supervise the construction of sets and scenery, costumes and all the visual aids required in stage, film and television productions.

 

8. Production Designer

Production designers are major heads of department on film crews, and are responsible for the entire art department. They help Directors to define and achieve the look and feel of a film.

Earnings are above average – in the seventh decile. Employment for this occupation rose very strongly (in percentage terms) in the past five years and rose very strongly in the long-term (ten years). Looking forward, employment for Film, Television, Radio and Stage Directors to November 2020 is expected to grow strongly (Job Outlook).

 

Design Professionals

9. Graphic & Multimedia Designer/Illustrator

When creativity and computers combine, commercial artists shine! If you enjoy visual communications this might be your calling. Your job is to produce art and layouts of text for reproduction in print and electronic media such as magazines, newspapers, books and websites, as well as image designs for corporate identity programmes, exhibitions and advertising.

Earnings are average – in the sixth decile. Over the five years to November 2019, the number of job openings for Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators is expected to be above average (between 25,001 and 50,000) (Job Outlook).

 

10. Architect

Architects use creativity and a practical understanding of structures and materials to develop concepts, plans, specifications and detailed drawings for buildings and other structures.

Earnings are average – in the sixth decile. Employment for this occupation rose moderately in the past five years and in the long-term (ten years). Looking forward, employment for Architects and Landscape Architects to November 2020 is expected to grow very strongly (Job Outlook).

 

Study to Inspire a Creative Career

If you’re a creative person working in a non-creative industry or job, it might be time to follow your passion.

Australian Online Courses offer many professional development courses that will take you one step closer to a career in one of Australia’s most creative and thriving industries.

At Australian Online Courses, we care about your career and understand how difficult it can be to fit study into an already busy life.

That’s why our courses are entirely self-paced and learning is exclusively online via our state-of-the-art eLearning platform so you can study anywhere, anytime.

Our courses are developed in consultation with industry experts to guarantee you have access to the most up-to-date and quality-assured course content. So sign up and discover your creative career today.

Certificate of Copywriting

Certificate of Advertising and Marketing

Certificate of Business Writing & Communication

Certificate of Marketing Communications

Certificate of Social Media and Engagement