Advanced trade, technical and professional qualifications – matching supply to demand

10 - Other health

The fields of study included here in other health are pharmacy, dental studies, optical science, public health, radiography and rehabilitation therapies.¹

The first report noted that there was a high demand for health associate professionals across these areas, particularly retail dispensary assistants, dental therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. In the professional health occupations, supply and demand seemed to be more evenly matched for these areas.

10.1 Match of qualifications to occupation

People with other health qualifications are more likely to work as health associate professionals or professionals.

Figure 10.1 shows that people with other health qualifications below degree level are more likely to work as associate health professionals than others with the same level of qualification. People with other health bachelors degrees or above are more likely to work as health professionals or health associate professionals.

10.2 Unemployment

People with diplomas and bachelors and above qualifications in other health areas are less likely to be unemployed than people with qualifications at the same level in other fields.

Figure 10.2 shows that both males and females with other health diplomas or degrees are less likely to be unemployed than others with diplomas and degrees. People with level 4 certificates in other health areas are more likely to be unemployed than others with level 4 certificates.

10.3 Income

People with other health qualifications below degree level are generally paid less than those with the same level of qualification in other fields.

Figure 10.3 shows that people with level 4 certificates in health areas earn considerably less than those with level 4 certificates in other fields. At diploma level, people with other health qualifications earn more as managers, but less in other occupations. At bachelors level, those who work as managers and health professionals are paid more, while those in other occupations are paid less.

Figure 10.1:  Are people with other health qualifications more likely to work in related occupations?

Compared with people with the same level of qualification in other fields.

Figure 10.2:  Are people with other health qualifications more likely to be unemployed?

Compared with people with the same level of qualification in other fields.

Figure 10.3:  Are people with other health qualifications likely to earn more?
 

Compared with people with the same level of qualification in other fields.

Likelihood of earning more than $50,000 a year for certificates and diplomas and more than $70,000 for bachelors and above.
 

10.4 Demand for specialties

Patterns of demand differ across the specialties within other health. These specialities, shown below, follow the classification of educational fields of study and don’t necessarily match current occupational classifications in the health sector.

Pharmacy is characterised by average unemployment rates and higher earnings for people with bachelors and above. Dental studies are also characterised by average unemployment and average earnings. No people with qualifications in optical science were recorded as unemployed in the census. They also have the highest level of earnings for people with other health qualifications.

In public health, unemployment rates were higher, particularly for those with level 4 certificates and earnings were above average across levels. Radiographers had low rates of unemployment at all levels and higher earnings below degree level. There was a high rate of unemployment for people with level 4 certificates in rehabilitation therapies, but lower for diploma and above. Earnings were lower for people with level 4 certificates and bachelors degrees.

Figure 10.4:  Which other health specialties are more likely to be unemployed?

Compared with rate for all other health at the same level.

Figure 10.5:  Which other health specialties are likely to earn more?
 

Compared with proportion for all other health at the same level.

Proportion earning more than $50,000 a year. 

Footnote

1. Veterinary studies and complementary health (naturopathy, acupuncture and traditional medicine) have not been included.