Health careers in Adelaide
Primary health
More than 40,000 people are employed across Adelaide's public health system including nurses, doctors, medical scientists and allied health professionals such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
There are more than 70 public hospitals and 19 private hospitals across South Australia, who offer a range of health careers and employment opportunities to students and graduates.
Royal Adelaide Hospital
The Royal Adelaide Hospital has more than 800 beds, and integrates state-of-the-art facilities with world-class patient care. For example, the Royal Adelaide Hospital has one of the biggest automated pharmacy distribution systems in Australia. It has 80 automated dispensing cabinets in patient wings to support the distribution of medicines.
Flinders Medical Centre
Flinders Medical Centre is co-located with the Flinders University School of Medicine and Flinders Private Hospital. it is currently undergoing a $400 million upgrade adding an additional 136 beds.
Flinders University is currently building a new Health and Medical Research Building adjacent to Flinders Medical Centre, which brings researchers, health practitioners and industry partners even closer together to collaborate in an integrated academic hospital campus.
New Women's and Children's Hospital
Planning and design is also underway for the New Women's and Children's Hospital which will be 25% bigger than the existing Women's and Childrens's Hospital. Construction will commence in late 2023 and is scheduled for competion in 2030-31.
Medical devices
Medical technology saves and improves lives by detecting diseases and providing more effective treatment to patients.
The medical technology industry—often referred to as medtech—comprises the companies that develop, manufacture, and distribute the technologies that are transforming health care through earlier disease detection, less-invasive procedures, and more effective treatments.
Examples of medical device companies in Adelaide include Micro-X who manufactuer mobile x-ray machines that are exported around the world, and Additive Surgical, who manufacture cutting edge medical technology.
Ageing well and the care industry
The rapid ageing of the global population has seen a growing recognition of the importance of empowering older people to age well.
The ageing well industry aims to enable older people to live a better quality of life and have the option to continue their contribution in many ways.
South Australia has the highest proportion of older people in mainland Australia. It is therefore uniquely positioned to lead the way in future directions that enable the population to age better.
The state's five-year plan for ageing well is currently underway with multiple innovations, so it's an exciting time to join the industry.
Biotechnology and clinical trials
Biotechnology
As its name suggests, biotechnology is technology based on biology. The five branches of biotechnology are industry, medicine, food and environment - meaning there are many exciting avenues to take your career.
Clinical trials
Clinical trials test new treatments to find better ways to prevent, detect or treat disease, and ensure they are safe to use before becoming available to the general public.
In a clinical trial, participants receive specific interventions according to the research plan or protocol created by the investigators. These interventions may be medical products, such as medications or devices, procedures, or behavioural changes, such as diet.
Clinical research trials are conducted at major public hospitals and other institutions across South Australia.
Digital health
Digital health has become a vital component of Australia's modern healthcare system. It has enabled more accessible healthcare to meet the needs of all Australians through more effective use of technology. My Health Record, electronic prescriptions, and telehealth are examples of government initiatives to digitally connect Australians to better health.
South Australia is a leading digital health ecosystem, with some of the world's most forward-thinking and innovative companies for digital health based right here in Adelaide.
These companies include Digital Health CRC - a $200 million investment that has established the largest digital health collaborative in the world - and Google Cloud's digital health innovation sector.
Health companies in Adelaide
These are just some of the health-related companies and organisations in Adelaide.
Health jobs in Adelaide
Discover some of the health and medical occupations available in Adelaide.
ANZSCO: 252712
Growth Prospects: Very Strong | Projected Growth: 34.7% | Yearly Salary: AUD $86,008
Provides diagnostic assessment and management of disorders of communication and swallowing through direct intervention, education, consultancy, advocacy, or a combination of these approaches.
ANZSCO: 2544
Growth Prospects: Strong | Projected Growth: 13.9% | Yearly Salary: AUD $100,724
Registered Nurses provide nursing care to patients in hospitals, aged care and other health care facilities, and in the community.
Example Registered Nurse specialisations include Aged Care Nurse, Community Health Nurse, Emergency Nurse, Mental Health Nurse, Surgical Nurse, Child and Family Health Nurse and Perioperative Nurse (sometimes called Theatre Nurse).
ANZSCO: 254111
Growth Prospects: Very Strong | Projected Growth: 21.6% | Yearly Salary: AUD $119,600
Midwives provide care and advice to women during pregnancy, labour and childbirth, and postnatal care for women and babies in a range of settings such as the home, community, hospitals, clinics and health units.
ANZSCO: 2723
Growth Prospects: Strong | Projected Growth: 13.3% | Yearly Salary: AUD $107,432
Psychologists investigate, assess and provide treatment and counselling to foster optimal personal, social, educational and occupational adjustment and development.
Example occupations include Clinical Psychologist, Educational Psychologist, Organisational Psychologist and Psychotherapist.
ANZSCO: 252312
Growth Prospects: Very Strong | Projected Growth: 27.8% | Yearly Salary: AUD $119,444
Diagnoses and treats dental disease, injuries, decay and malformations of the teeth, periodontal tissue (gums), hard and soft tissue found on the mouth and other dento-facial structures using surgery and other techniques.
Registration or licensing is required.
Also known as Dental Practitioner or Dental Surgeon.
ANZSCO: 233214
Growth Prospects: Strong | Projected Growth: 10.2% | Yearly Salary: AUD $131,820
General Practitioners diagnoses, treats and prevents human physical and mental disorders and injuries. Registration or licensing is required. In Australia, they are commonly referred to as GPs or Doctors.
ANZSCO: 411211
Demand Level: Moderate | Projected Growth: 5.1% | Yearly Salary: AUD $71,188
Carries out preventative dental procedures under the direction of a Dentist. Registration or licensing is required.
ANZSCO: 2533
Demand Level: Very Strong | Projected Growth: 27% | Yearly Salary: AUD $317,096
Specialist Physicians diagnose and treat internal human disorders and diseases using specialist testing, diagnostic and medical techniques. Medical Registrars training as Specialist Physicians are included in this unit group.
Example occupations include Cardiologist, Clinical Haematologist, Medical Oncologist, Endocrinologist, Gastroenterologist, Intensive Care Specialist, Neurologist, Paediatrician, Renal Medicine Specialist, Rheumatologist, and Thoracic Medicine Specialist.