Choosing a career in healthcare means making a real difference to the lives of others. Healthcare professionals are highly valued in our communities. We look to them when we are unwell or injured and rely on them to help get us back to good health and wellbeing.
Discover the large variety of careers in healthcare
More than most other careers, a career in healthcare gives you almost unlimited opportunities. The sector is also one of Tasmania’s and Australia’s largest, offering exciting career opportunities for those with a passion for healthcare. By pursuing a qualification in healthcare, you’ll gain valuable skills to pave the way for a fulfilling and rewarding career journey.
Working in healthcare is more than just a job. Instead, it gives you the chance to help people, and to make a real difference in their lives. You can choose from a wide range of occupations across many different settings. Depending on your area of interest, you could choose a health professional career through university training. There is also a wide range of healthcare worker roles with on-the-job or vocational training.
University
Doctors (such as GPs, Surgeons)
Nurses and Midwives
Paramedics
Dentists
University
Allied health professionals such as:
Audiologists, Cardiac Physiologists, Dietitians, Occupational Therapists, Optometry, Oral Health Therapists, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Psychologists, Radiographers, Sonographers, Speech Pathologists and Social Workers … and more!
Vocational Training
Allied Health Assistants
Nursing support and Personal Care Workers
Aged and Disabled Carers
Home Health Aide
A career in healthcare gives you endless possibilities
As a health professional or healthcare worker you can make a real difference in people’s lives and take your career in many different directions. You will enjoy the flexibility of working in different locations and varied settings.
Working to improve the health and wellbeing of people at every stage of life creates endless opportunities for where you can choose to work. New technologies and different ways of helping people creates more jobs to pick from.
Health and social assistance workers can work in many different settings such as: hospitals, schools, medical centres, pharmacies, private practice, aged care facilities, childcare centres, disability services, mental health services, community health centres, medical imaging centres, laboratories and peoples’ homes.
Some qualifications also give you the freedom to move between different types of work. You can help patients directly, do research, teach others and be in leadership roles. You can also lead community health initiatives, disease prevention and health education programs.
In addition to doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists and paramedics, the Tasmanian Government employs a wide variety of allied health professionals. Allied Health is a collective term for a diverse range of highly skilled health professionals that enjoy varied, flexible and exciting career pathways. They are in high demand and there are numerous allied health professions to choose from in Tasmania!
Aboriginal and TSI Health Practitioner
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners are registered healthcare practitioners who provide clinical services and patient care with a focus on culturally safe practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Diagnostic Radiography
Diagnostic Radiographers operate X-rays and other medical imaging equipment to produce images for medical diagnostic purposes
Dietetics
Dieticians are professionals who apply the science of food and nutrition to promote health, prevent and treat disease to optimise the health of individuals, groups, communities and populations.
Medical Science
Medical scientists perform medical laboratory tests on blood, other body fluids and tissues to assist clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists work with individuals, groups and communities to achieve optimal health and wellbeing through participation in the occupations of life
Oral Health Therapy
Oral Health Therapists are healthcare practitioners with qualifications as a dental therapist and dental hygienist. They work with dentists to provide oral health assessment, diagnosis, treatment, management and preventive services.
Pharmacy
Pharmacists dispense prescribed pharmaceuticals to the public, educate customers on health promotion, disease prevention and the proper use of medicines, and sell non-prescription medicines and related goods in a community pharmacy
Physiotherapy
A physiotherapist is a healthcare professional that assesses, diagnoses, treats and works to prevent disease and disability through movement and exercise. Physiotherapists are experts in body movement and function
Podiatry
Podiatrists are doctors who treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower limbs — including injuries, pain and balance issues
Psychology
Psychologists provide assessment and therapy to clients, help facilitate organisational or social change, conduct psychological research, or administer psychological tests to individuals or groups
Social Work
Social workers support people to make change in their lives to improve their personal and social well-being
Speech Pathology
Speech pathologists study, diagnose and treat people who have difficulty speaking, listening, understanding language, reading, writing, social skills, stuttering, swallowing and using their voice
Remember, allied health professionals rely on a crucial support from healthcare workers such as allied health assistants, pharmacy technicians and pathology technicians. These important support roles work closely with allied health professionals to make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of their patients.
It’s never too early to start exploring your options. Learn more about working at the Department of Health and Department for Education, Children and Young People.
Careers in the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP)
The Department employs school social workers, school psychologists, speech and language pathologists and school health nurses. These allied health professionals and nurses work in DECYP schools and Child and Family Learning Centres. They support student health, wellbeing and development and improve health and educational outcomes for children and young people.
The Department also employs child safety officers who work in child safety services and child safety and wellbeing workers, who work as part of Strong Families Safe Kids. The make a real difference – helping children and young people to be safe and well. Learn more about the various professional student support and child safety services careers at DECYP.
Be in demand. Pursue healthcare skills
The demand for healthcare is growing, ensuring strong job security and opportunities for rewarding careers with loads of potential for progression and promotion. In Tasmania, the aging population and rising incidence of chronic disease are factors behind the current and growing demand for people with healthcare skills.
Let’s look at the health-related factors pushing up the demand for healthcare in Tasmania;
The impact of these factors mean the need for healthcare services will consistently increase, guaranteeing excellent job opportunities well into the future.
The healthcare sector in Australia is already one of the largest. In Australia, there are over 2,000,000 workers employed in a range of healthcare professions. That’s close to four times the total population of Tasmania (think about that for a moment – that’s huge!).
In Tasmania, more people work in healthcare and social assistance than any other industry. In 2023, 49,500 people worked in this sector. Better still, 10.2% were between 15 – 24 years of age. That’s around 5,000 young adults working in healthcare in Tasmania.
Education and Training Pathways
There’s almost as many education and training pathways in healthcare as there are career options. From short, practical vocational education and training (VET) to university degrees to become a health professional, and everything in-between including TAFE and private colleges. Often there’s the option of part-time or full-time study, plus flexible work and study arrangements. This means you can earn an income while you study.
In Tasmania, you can gain qualifications in a range of allied health professions, medicine, nursing, midwifery and paramedicine at the University of Tasmania (UTAS). UTAS also has additional study pathways in partnership with other universities. Studying at interstate universities and interstate VET providers opens an even larger range of health professional careers to choose from, particularly in allied health. Don’t forget on the job training is also possible for the allied health support workforce in Tasmanian public hospitals and community services. Interstate vocational pathways to obtain a Certificate III or IV are also available to boost your allied health assistant career
Tas TAFE provides training for aged and disability support workers, dental assistants and enrolled nurses.
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
There are practical Vocational Education and Training (VET) options for individuals interested in health careers. The Certificate III in Health Services Assistance is designed for those looking to enter the healthcare field quickly. This course covers essential skills such as patient care, communication, and basic medical knowledge, making it ideal for roles like health care assistant or support worker.
The Diploma of Nursing is another key offering, providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become enrolled nurses. This program includes both theoretical learning and hands-on clinical experience, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the demands of nursing practice.
University Degrees
For those interested in pursuing higher education in health, the University of Tasmania offers a range of degree programs designed to prepare students for various careers in the health sector. These are a few of the degrees on offer, visit the UTAS Health and Medicine page to explore more education pathways.
The Bachelor of Social Work with Honours is designed to prepare students for impactful careers in social services. This four-year program focuses on social justice, human rights, and socio-environmental challenges, ensuring that graduates are equipped to respond effectively to the needs of diverse communities. Students apply their learning in real-world settings and develop their professional identity as agents of change.
The Bachelor of Nursing is a vital program for those aspiring to become registered nurses. This degree combines theoretical knowledge with extensive clinical practice, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the demands of nursing in various healthcare settings. The program emphasises critical skills such as patient care, communication, and teamwork.
For those looking to specialise further, the Master of Public Health offers advanced studies for those seeking leadership roles in health policy and management. This program focuses on critical areas such as epidemiology, health systems, and environmental health, preparing graduates to tackle complex health challenges.
The Master of Speech Pathology is designed for those wishing to specialise in communication and swallowing disorders. This program combines theoretical knowledge with practical training, preparing graduates to work in diverse settings, including hospitals, schools, and private practice. Students gain essential skills in assessment and intervention, making a significant impact on the lives of individuals with speech and language challenges.
Healthcare services in Tasmania are projected to increase over the next 20 years
Hospital visits are expected to increase by 30% between 2020-2021 and 2041- 2042
Make a real impact on people’s lives
Whether you’re passionate about nursing, medicine, or allied health, our island needs your dedication. Make a difference in the lives of fellow Tasmanians. From the cities to rural and coastal towns, you’ll find a community that values your skills.
Remember, Tasmania provides extraordinary opportunities for healthcare professionals. Take the first step and explore the diverse career paths available!
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