The best jobs for your kids in 2026

In Stake’s ambition report released earlier this year, one insight in particular stood out: the mindset shift that separates Gen Z from older generations.

The report states that nearly half of Millennials - 49% - feel their wages aren’t keeping pace with inflation. Gen Z, however, is most concerned about the intergenerational wealth gap and the threat AI and automation pose to their careers. This was of little relevance to Boomers who responded to the survey. 

Financial strategies are evolving accordingly. Around 70% of Gen Z see acquiring investments or assets as more important to get ahead financially than career progression. Fewer than half of Boomers share this view, signalling their belief in more traditional methods.

The AI “doom spiral” is real, too. (When Viktor Shvets suggested humanity may eventually need to confront its own irrelevance, the thought kept me awake for days.)

So, with these two top concerns in mind for Gen Z young Australians, it raises some questions: what jobs will actually set young Australians up for success? Is a university degree still the best path, or are alternative routes more viable? And how can we delay the AI overlord takeover for at least one more day?

To explore this, I spoke with Stuart Martin, Business Director and National Accounting & Finance Lead at Hays, to help frame one of the most important conversations parents have with their children: what they want to do once they finish school.

Strongest entry-level industries

When I asked Martin which industries offer the most opportunities for young Australians in 2026, three sectors stood out:

“Demographic changes are accelerating demand across aged care, disability support, allied health, and community services,” Martin explains. "Our ANZ market tracking shows persistent vacancies in care, support, and admin roles - a reliable first rung for school leavers and VET graduates."

Jobs and Skills Australia projects that health care will remain the country’s largest employer, with the fastest growth among service industries over the next 5-10 years.

2. Construction and infrastructure

“The housing pipeline, transport projects, and defence-related civil works are creating steady opportunities,” Martin says. “Several jurisdictions are fast-tracking apprenticeships to expand trade capacity in carpentry, civil construction, and plant operations." 

As a result, there is strong demand for site, project, and commercial roles, with early-career trades and coordinators a priority as delivery schedules tighten.

3. Clean energy and renewables

Australia’s push toward net-zero emissions is driving hiring across generation, storage, and energy efficiency.

“Structured entry points like apprenticeships, graduate rotations, and junior technician or project coordinator roles in renewables firms are opening doors for young talent,” Martin notes.

Jobs with stability, growth and pay

I also asked Martin which roles offer the best combination of stability, growth potential, and starting pay for young professionals. They are:

Graduate / Assistant Accountant
Professional services remain structurally strong, driven by compliance, ESG reporting, and finance digitisation.
Starting salary: $55K–$65K (metro), rising to $70K+ within 2–3 years.

Level 1 SOC Cybersecurity Analyst
Cybersecurity is a critical skills gap. Entry-level SOC roles offer strong mobility into governance and engineering paths.
Starting salary: $65K–$75K, with rapid progression to $90K+ as certifications stack.

Civil Engineer Graduate
Infrastructure and housing pipelines underpin long-term demand. Graduates move quickly into project engineering and site management.
Starting salary: $65K–$70K, with structured graduate programs and clear pay escalators.

Degrees vs alternative pathways

In an era where there seems to be a confluence of extreme wealth and youth on social media, it's not a stretch to wonder whether tertiary education remains the most reliable pathway into high-quality jobs.

“Degrees are still essential for regulated professions like law, medicine, and engineering, and for corporate leadership tracks,” Martin says. “But they’re no longer the only route. Employers across ANZ are moving to skills-first hiring, prioritising capability over credentials, especially in tech, cyber, clean energy, logistics, and construction.”

Apprenticeships and traineeships now offer faster, paid entry into sectors with acute skills shortages, often reaching salary parity with degree roles within a decade. 

On-the-job training, micro-credentials, and hybrid pathways combining vocational training, short courses, and digital certifications are increasingly common, providing quicker ROI and the flexibility that employers value.

Skills that matter more than formal qualifications

Finally, I asked Martin which skills matter more than formal degrees and how school leavers should prioritise them.

“Employers are increasingly looking for human and technical skills rather than credentials alone,” he says. “Critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, adaptability, and resilience are essential for navigating complex, fast-changing environments.”

Martin recommends that school leavers focus on:

• Human skills: Build communication, teamwork, and stakeholder engagement through group projects, volunteering, or part-time work.
• Digital literacy: Learn data basics, cybersecurity fundamentals, and emerging technologies through free online courses.
• Micro-credentials: Pursue short courses in project coordination, customer service, or tech platforms to signal capability to employers.
• Real-world experience: Embrace internships, temporary roles, and apprenticeships to practice adaptability and resilience.

“Formal education alone can’t keep pace with evolving job demands,” he concludes. “Skills-based hiring future-proofs careers, widens talent pools, and reduces bias. Building capability is now the real differentiator in today’s competitive markets.”

For young Australians stepping into 2026, diversify your approach, focus on skills that matter, and don’t rely solely on traditional pathways. The jobs of the future will reward those who are adaptable, capable, and willing to learn.