66 best paying creative careers in Australia
You’ve probably heard the stereotype that creative careers are unstable or difficult to turn into long-term professions. But over the past decade, Australia’s job market has changed dramatically. Creative professionals now build successful careers designing brands, producing content, shooting campaigns and styling fashion projects for companies actively investing in original creative work.
The creative sector exploded over the past decade as every business figured out they need original visual content to compete online. Here’s exactly which creative careers have the best salaries in Australia, how to break into them and what qualifications can help you get there.
Creative careers explained
Creative professions use imagination and technical skills to make things people want to look at, wear, watch or experience. They do things like shoot wedding photos that make people cry, design brands that stick in people’s heads or produce videos that rack up millions of views. The work is all about generating ideas and executing them with real craft, whether that’s through camera, design software or your actual hands.
These careers exist in obvious industries like photography, graphic design, fashion, digital media, screen production, writing, beauty and fine arts. And the work within each industry is wildly variable as well, as photographers can work on anything from fashion shoots to documenting social issues. The connecting thread is using creative thinking to produce work that serves a purpose beyond just existing on a hard drive somewhere.
What’s encouraging is that there are creative jobs in virtually every single industry. Embedded creatives are those who work in regular companies rather than creative agencies or studios. For example, you could be the in-house photographer for a retail brand or the graphic designer keeping a law firm’s website and marketing materials looking sleek. This is where most people with creative jobs actually work, as 60% of Australia’s creative workers are embedded in organisations outside traditional creative industries.
That’s why it’s so important to know where and how to look for creative careers. Creative roles are now far more financially sustainable than many people realise, as now almost every company needs some creatives. Tech has also put professional tools in everyone’s hands, so talented people with the right training can now easily find creative careers that pay well.
Why creative careers are growing in Australia
Creative employment in Australia grew 3.8% per year between 2016 and 2021, which is higher than the 2.4% growth rate for everyone else. The growth comes from actual job openings for creative work, not just people updating their LinkedIn bios.
Here’s what’s fuelling the creative sector growth in Australia:
Every business needs visual content now: Companies compete for attention online, which creates massive demand for photographers, video producers, writers and designers who can create scroll-stopping content that gets people to click.
The cultural sector contributes significant economic value: Australia’s cultural and creative sector added $67.4 billion into the economy in 2023–24, up 6.6% from the previous year. That’s 2.5% of the entire national GDP, proving that creative work drives serious economic value.
Streaming platforms need content: Film production employment jumped 6.5% between 2016 and 2021 as Netflix, Stan and everyone else continue investing heavily in original content. Actors, directors and choreographers have seen sustained growth since the early 1990s.
Brands increasingly prioritise authentic visual storytelling over generic imagery: Marketing budgets now prioritise original visual content because audiences see right through generic imagery. Companies hire photographers and videographers to create authentic stories that connect with people.
Entry level creative careers to start with
Entry-level creative careers don’t require years of study or impossibly high portfolios to break into. Many roles accept diploma-qualified candidates who can prove basic technical competency through a few solid portfolio pieces. Most creative professionals spend one to three years in entry-level positions before moving into senior work with more creative control and much higher pay.
Salary figures in the table below are drawn from up to four sources, each measuring something different. SEEK reports what employers are actively advertising, which skews towards competitive rates designed to attract experienced candidates. PayScale draws from self-reported salaries across all experience levels including part-time and casual workers, which brings the median down considerably.
Indeed and Glassdoor draw from a mix of employer-posted and employee-reported data, producing numbers that generally land somewhere between the previous two. The spread between sources tells you how much variation there is within a role rather than inconsistency in the data, which is why reading all four together gives you a more reliable picture than relying on any single figure.
These are the most common entry-level creative careers in Australia:
Creative career | Core skills used | Typical industries | Average entry-level salary | Relevant course |
Content creator | Shooting photos, creating videos, storytelling, managing social media | Digital marketing, media | PayScale: $52,000 SEEK: $70,000 to $85,000 Indeed: $91,000 Glassdoor: $70,000 | Diploma of Photography; Diploma of Graphic Design; Diploma of Screen Media |
Social media coordinator | Creating visual content, analysing metrics, scheduling posts | Marketing, PR, retail | PayScale: $67,000 SEEK: $70,000 to $80,000 Indeed: $76,000 Glassdoor: $61,000 | |
Digital marketing assistant | Creating content, designing visuals, writing copy | Marketing agencies, corporate | PayScale: $76,000 SEEK: $65,000 to $75,000 Indeed: $87,000 Glassdoor: $55,000 | |
Photo editor | Retouching photos, grading colour, editing photos | Studios, media, e-commerce | PayScale: $90,000 Indeed: $68,000 Glassdoor: $43,000 to $59,000 | Diploma of Photography; Bachelor of Photography and Digital Imaging |
Gallery assistant | Supporting exhibitions, handling admin, managing artwork | Galleries, museums, arts organisations | PayScale: $60,000 Indeed: $74,000 Glassdoor: $57,000 to $83,000 | |
Junior graphic designer | Designing layouts, working with typography, using Adobe Creative Cloud | Design agencies, marketing, corporate | PayScale: $41,000 SEEK: $65,000 to $75,000 Indeed: $61,000 | |
Web content editor | Managing CMS platforms, optimising images, writing copy | Publishing, corporate, digital media | PayScale: $70,000 Indeed: $91,000 Glassdoor: $57,000 | |
Video editor | Editing video, crafting stories, designing sound | Media production, advertising, corporate | PayScale: $59,000 SEEK: $70,000 to $85,000 Indeed: $72,000 Glassdoor: $65,000 | |
Production assistant | Coordinating schedule, managing logistics, supporting on-set work | Film, TV, commercial production | PayScale: $54,000 SEEK: $65,000 to $75,000 Indeed: $60,000 Glassdoor: $50,000 | |
Visual merchandiser | Styling displays, designing spaces, presenting products | Retail, fashion events | PayScale: $51,000 SEEK: $70,000 to $80,000 Indeed: $89,000 Glassdoor: $55,000 | |
Junior copywriter | Writing creatively, telling visual stories, creating a brand voice | Advertising, marketing agencies | PayScale: $51,000 SEEK: $75,000 to $85,000 Indeed: $70,000 Glassdoor: $60,000 | |
Studio assistant | Managing equipment, setting up lighting, supporting shoots | Photography studios, commercial | Indeed: $67,000 Glassdoor: $47,000 to $73,000 | |
Photography assistant | Assisting with cameras, setting up lighting, handling post-production | Commercial photography, events | Indeed: $62,000 Glassdoor: $49,000 to $55,000 | |
Junior illustrator | Creating digital illustrations, developing concepts, using Adobe tools | Publishing, advertising, design | SEEK: $85,000 to $90,000 Glassdoor: $37,000 to $67,000 | |
Junior UX/UI designer | Researching users, creating wireframes, designing interfaces | Tech, digital agencies, startups | SEEK: $80,000 to $100,000 PayScale: $60,000 Indeed: $72,000 Glassdoor: $45,000 to $81,000 | |
Brand assistant | Managing brand guidelines, developing visual identity, coordinating content | Marketing, corporate, agencies | PayScale: $72,000 SEEK: $80,000 to $100,000 Glassdoor: $61,000 to $71,000 | |
Production coordinator | Booking crew and locations, tracking budgets, scheduling shoots, coordinating with departments | Film, television, advertising, corporate production | SEEK: $75,000 to $95,000 PayScale: $54,082 Indeed: $77,131 Glassdoor: $60,000 to $78,000 | |
Lighting technician | Rigging lights, shaping light on set, operating control desks, maintaining equipment | Film, television, live events, photography studios | PayScale: $63,320 Indeed: $77,341 Glassdoor: $73,112 | |
Sound technician | Recording audio on set, positioning microphones, mixing sound, maintaining audio equipment | Film, television, live events, broadcast | SEEK: $75,000 to $85,000 PayScale: $65,614 Indeed: $74,821 Glassdoor: $59,280 | Bachelor of Screen Media; Undergraduate Certificate of Screen Media |
*Salary estimates are based on data from SEEK Australia, PayScale, Indeed and Glassdoor and should be treated as indicative ranges rather than guaranteed earnings. Figures reflect data available at the time of publication and vary significantly based on experience, specialisation, employment type and location.
Creative careers that pay well in Australia
Creative professions stop feeling like a financial gamble once you’ve built real expertise and a solid reputation. These roles usually need five to ten years of experience and strong portfolios that prove you can deliver consistently, but they reward that investment with salaries that support comfortable lives in major Australian cities.
These are some of the strongest creative careers that pay well:
Creative career | Core skills used | Typical industries | Average salary | Relevant course |
Artist | Creating artwork, conceptual thinking, exhibiting work | Galleries, freelance, commissions | PayScale: $50,000 SEEK: $65,000 to $85,000 Indeed: $103,000 Glassdoor: $50,000 to $86,000 | Bachelor of Photography and Digital Imaging; Master of Arts (Photography) |
Journalist | Researching stories, interviewing subjects, writing articles | Media, publishing, digital news | PayScale: $58,000 SEEK: $80,000 to $100,000 Indeed: $72,000 Glassdoor: $56,000 to $80,000 | |
Interior designer | Designing spaces, selecting materials, managing projects | Architecture, retail, residential | PayScale: $61,000 SEEK: $80,000 to $90,000 Indeed: $93,000 Glassdoor: $60,000 to $80,000 | |
Architect | Designing buildings, creating technical drawings, managing projects | Architecture firms, construction | PayScale: $90,000 SEEK: $90,000 to $110,000 Indeed: $92,000 Glassdoor: $87,000 to $94,000 | |
Actor | Performing roles, interpreting scripts, auditioning | Film, TV, theatre | PayScale: $74,000 Indeed: $105,000 Glassdoor: $57,000 to $67,000 | |
Author | Writing books, developing narratives, editing manuscripts | Publishing, freelance | PayScale: $73,000 SEEK: $85,000 to $105,000 Indeed: $124,000 Glassdoor: $40,000 to $116,000 | |
Fashion photographer | Shooting fashion, directing models, styling shoots | Fashion, magazines, e-commerce | PayScale: $61,000 Glassdoor: $48,000 to $52,000 | Bachelor of Photography and Digital Imaging; Master of Arts (Photography) |
Graphic designer | Designing visuals, developing brand identity, creating layouts | Design agencies, corporate, freelance | PayScale: $54,000 SEEK: $75,000 to $85,000 Indeed: $78,000 Glassdoor: $65,000 to $85,000 | |
Video producer | Producing video content, managing production, directing shoots | Media, corporate, advertising | PayScale: $71,000 SEEK: $85,000 to $105,000 Glassdoor: $65,000 to $85,000 | |
Film director | Directing films, developing vision, managing crews | Film, TV, advertising | PayScale: $88,000 Glassdoor: $80,000 | |
Cinematographer | Operating cameras, lighting scenes, crafting visual stories | Film, TV, commercials | PayScale: $65,000 Indeed: $82,000 Glassdoor: $80,000 | |
Set designer | Designing sets, creating environments, managing production design | Film, TV, theatre | PayScale: $100,000 Indeed: $99,000 | |
Costume designer | Designing costumes, sourcing materials, managing wardrobe | Film, TV, theatre, fashion | PayScale: $65,000 Glassdoor: $51,000 to $61,000 | |
Makeup artist | Applying makeup, creating looks, working with talent | Film, TV, fashion, events | PayScale: $69,000 SEEK: $65,000 to $70,000 Indeed: $107,000 Glassdoor: $47,000 to $55,000 | |
Tattoo artist | Tattooing clients, designing custom work, running studio operations | Tattoo studios, freelance | PayScale: $43,000 Indeed: $50,000 Glassdoor: $38,000 | |
Illustrator | Creating illustrations, developing concepts, working digitally | Publishing, advertising, freelance | PayScale: $61,000 SEEK: $90,000 to $95,000 Indeed: $90,000 Glassdoor: $68,000 | |
Animator | Animating sequences, creating motion graphics, storyboarding | Film, TV, gaming, advertising | PayScale: $68,000 SEEK: $80,000 to $90,000 Indeed: $94,000 Glassdoor: $70,000 | |
Game designer | Designing gameplay, creating narratives, developing concepts | Gaming industry, tech | PayScale: $96,000 SEEK: $85,000 to $105,000 Indeed: $95,000 Glassdoor: $70,000 | |
Production manager | Planning production schedules, managing budgets, hiring crew, overseeing shoots | Film, television, advertising, corporate production | SEEK: $105,000 to $125,000 Indeed: $95,714 Glassdoor: $75,000 to $115,000 | |
Production designer | Designing sets, developing the visual look, sourcing props, working with directors | Film, television, theatre, commercial production | PayScale: $59,000 Indeed: $80,751 | |
Motion graphics designer | Animating type and graphics, editing video, designing visual effects, working in Adobe After Effects | Advertising, digital agencies, broadcast, corporate | SEEK: $75,000 to $85,000 PayScale: $66,804 Glassdoor: $62,000 to $90,000 | |
3D artist | Modelling assets, texturing surfaces, lighting scenes, rendering CGI | Film, television, games, advertising | PayScale: $65,362 Glassdoor: $58,000 to $80,000 | |
Compositor | Combining live action with CGI, keying green screen, matching colour and light, cleaning up plates | Visual effects studios, film, television, advertising | PayScale: $77,282 Indeed: $109,130 Glassdoor: $60,000 to $100,000 |
*Salary estimates are based on data from SEEK Australia, PayScale, Indeed and Glassdoor and should be treated as indicative ranges rather than guaranteed earnings. Figures reflect data available at the time of publication and vary significantly based on experience, specialisation, employment type and location.
Best paying creative careers across industries
The highest-paying creative careers blend years of technical mastery with strategic business thinking and leadership capability. These roles usually require at least 10 years of experience managing teams and proving you can deliver major work without any handholding. Once you make it here, you can comfortably make more than the median salary whilst enjoying a fun and creative career.
These are the creative careers with the highest salaries in Australia:
Creative career | Core skills used | Typical industries | Average salary | Relevant PSC courses to get your foot in the door |
Fashion stylist | Styling talent, sourcing garments, directing shoots, managing clients | Fashion, magazines, advertising | PayScale: $68,000 SEEK: $70,000 to $85,000 Indeed: $94,000 Glassdoor: $41,000 to $53,000 | |
Commercial photographer | Shooting campaigns, directing talent, managing production, client liaison | Advertising, media, corporate | PayScale: $69,000 SEEK: $70,000 to $80,000 Indeed: $94,000 | Bachelor of Photography and Digital Imaging; Master of Arts (Photography) |
Fine art photographer | Creating conceptual work, exhibiting, managing gallery relationships | Arts, galleries, collectors | PayScale: $69,000 SEEK: $70,000 to $80,000 Indeed: $94,000 | Bachelor of Photography and Digital Imaging; Master of Arts (Photography) |
Photojournalist | Documenting events, telling visual stories, working under pressure | Media, news organisations | PayScale: $69,000 SEEK: $70,000 to $80,000 Indeed: $94,000 | |
Editorial photographer | Shooting features, collaborating with editors, meeting deadlines | Publishing, magazines, media | PayScale: $69,000 SEEK: $70,000 to $80,000 Indeed: $94,000 | |
Curator | Developing exhibitions, researching artists, managing collections | Galleries, museums, cultural institutions | PayScale: $100,000 SEEK: $85,000 to $105,000 Indeed: $92,000 Glassdoor: $83,000 | |
Academic/lecturer (creative arts) | Teaching students, researching practice, publishing work | Universities, art schools | PayScale: $122,000 SEEK: $120,000 to $140,000 Indeed: $220,000 Glassdoor: $120,000 | |
Creative director | Leading creative teams, developing concepts, managing client relationships | Advertising, media, agencies | PayScale: $102,000 SEEK: $120,000 to $140,000 Indeed: $125,000 Glassdoor: $130,000 | |
Brand strategist | Developing brand identity, creating strategies, managing stakeholders | Marketing, corporate, agencies | PayScale: $75,000 SEEK: $95,000 to $115,000 Indeed: $125,000 Glassdoor: $75,000 | |
Digital content strategist | Planning content, analysing data, managing teams, directing production | Marketing, media, digital agencies | PayScale: $93,000 SEEK: $90,000 to $105,000 Indeed: $86,000 Glassdoor: $85,000 | |
Fashion designer | Designing collections, sourcing materials, managing production | Fashion industry, retail | PayScale: $73,000 SEEK: $75,000 to $95,000 Indeed: $69,000 Glassdoor: $75,000 | |
Screen media producer | Developing projects, managing budgets, leading production teams | Film, TV, streaming platforms | PayScale: $85,000 SEEK: $85,000 to $105,000 Indeed: $90,000 Glassdoor: $71,000 | |
Art director | Directing visual concepts, leading design teams, managing clients | Advertising, media, publishing | PayScale: $88,000 SEEK: $105,000 to $125,000 Indeed: $128,000 Glassdoor: $90,000 | |
Film producer | Developing films, managing budgets, overseeing production | Film industry, TV, streaming, digital media | PayScale: $85,000 SEEK: $85,000 to $105,000 Indeed: $90,000 Glassdoor: $123,000 | |
Post-production supervisor | Managing editing workflows, leading teams, delivering projects | Film, TV, advertising | PayScale: $95,000 SEEK: $80,000 to $100,000 Indeed: $85,000 Glassdoor: $110,000 | |
Visual effects artist | Creating VFX, managing technical workflows, collaborating with directors | Film, TV, gaming, advertising | PayScale: $97,000 Glassdoor: $75,000 | |
Exhibition designer | Designing exhibitions, managing installations, coordinating production | Museums, galleries, events | PayScale: $90,000 Indeed: $92,000 | |
Senior UX director | Leading UX teams, developing strategy, managing stakeholders | Tech, digital agencies, corporate | PayScale: $123,000 SEEK: $120,000 to $130,000 Indeed: $135,000 Glassdoor: $183,000 | |
Design director | Leading design departments, setting creative vision, managing teams | Agencies, corporate, tech | PayScale: $130,000 SEEK: $175,000 to $195,000 Indeed: $154,000 Glassdoor: $160,000 | |
Head of creative | Overseeing all creative output, managing teams, developing strategy | Agencies, media, corporate | PayScale: $111,000 SEEK: $120,000 to $140,000 Indeed: $130,000 Glassdoor: $143,000 | |
Publishing director | Managing editorial teams, developing content strategy, overseeing production | Publishing, media | PayScale: $74,000 SEEK: $105,000 to $115,000 Glassdoor: $219,000 | |
VFX supervisor | Leading visual effects teams, planning effects shoots with directors, reviewing artist work, managing technical delivery | Visual effects studios, film, television, advertising | Glassdoor: $60,000 to $100,000 | |
Motion design director | Directing animation teams, developing creative concepts, presenting to clients, setting the visual style of a project | Advertising, digital agencies, broadcast, entertainment | Glassdoor: $134,000 to $147,000 | |
Executive producer | Securing financing, approving budgets, overseeing productions from development to delivery, managing key relationships | Film, television, advertising, digital content | PayScale: $107,700 Indeed: $105,714 Glassdoor: $100,000 to $163,000 |
*Salary estimates are based on data from SEEK Australia, PayScale, Indeed and Glassdoor and should be treated as indicative ranges rather than guaranteed earnings. Figures reflect data available at the time of publication and vary significantly based on experience, specialisation, employment type and location.
How to progress from entry level to high-paying creative roles
Moving from junior positions to senior creative roles that pay six figures takes more than just logging years and hoping someone notices. You’ll need deliberate career moves that build expertise, expand your network and prove you can handle bigger projects with less supervision.
These steps can speed up your progression into high-paying creative roles:
Build a portfolio that actually impresses people: Your portfolio needs to have pieces that demonstrate range and depth rather than just showing you can follow briefs. Include personal projects that showcase your creative vision alongside client work to prove you can deliver under real-world constraints.
Look for collaborations that’ll help you grow: Working with other creatives on projects outside your comfort zone teaches you techniques and approaches you’d never discover working solo. Collaborate with filmmakers if you’re a photographer or team up with writers if you’re a designer.
Get strategic formal qualifications: Diplomas and bachelor degrees give you the technical skills you need to get started whilst master’s programmes develop your critical analysis skills. PSC’s Bachelor of Photography and Digital Imaging or Master of Arts (Photography) can turn solid photographers into artists with something important to say through their work.
Specialise once you’ve found your passion: Specialists have a competitive advantage over generalists, as they’ve spent years mastering fashion photography, documentary filmmaking or brand identity design. Pick a niche where your skills and interests align with market demand.
Build genuine industry relationships: Attend industry events, exhibitions and screenings where you can meet established creatives doing work you admire. Most opportunities come through relationships and not cold applications.
Stay current with tech and industry changes: New software, techniques and platforms come up all the time. Creatives who adapt quickly to tools like AI-assisted editing or emerging social platforms stay employable whilst others fall behind.
Choosing the right creative career for you
Picking a creative career based purely on salary means you might spend years doing work that doesn’t energise you. Career satisfaction comes from matching your creative strengths with professional pathways that play to those abilities. A photographer who loves working with people won’t enjoy product photography in empty studios, whilst an introvert who thrives shooting objects won’t thrive in wedding photography’s constant social performance.
Think honestly about how much money you need versus how much creative freedom matters to you. Art curators might earn $100,000 per year but spend years building connections and working as gallery assistants before they’re trusted to curate on their own. A hair stylist earns $61,000 per year but gets stable hours and predictable schedules. Neither choice is wrong if it matches what you actually value.
Ask yourself these questions before committing to a creative pathway:
Do I prefer working alone or collaborating with teams daily?
Does financial stability matter more than complete creative control?
Can I handle irregular income or do I need steady pay cheques?
Do I thrive under deadline pressure or prefer slower-paced projects?
Am I willing to relocate for work or do I need to stay in one city?
Does my creative work energise me or drain me after long sessions?
Can I accept commercial briefs or do I only want to create personal work?
These questions can help you choose a creative career that aligns with your strengths, interests and long-term goals. While salary is an important consideration, it's only one part of building a fulfilling career. When your day-to-day work matches the way you like to create, collaborate and solve problems, you're more likely to stay motivated, continue developing your skills and build a rewarding career over time.
Planning for long-term sustainability
Long-term creative success depends on adapting your skills as industries evolve and opportunities change. The photographer who only shoots weddings could face income challenges when wedding budgets get tight during economic downturns, whilst the photographer who can pivot into commercial work or teaching can keep their income through economic changes.
Creative careers evolve in every industry because fundamental skills transfer between contexts. Design thinking applies whether you’re creating fashion collections, graphic designs, video content, interior spaces or photographic collections. A graphic designer can move into art direction, web design, brand strategy or creative direction by building on core visual communication abilities. Fashion designers can transition into costume design or creative consulting. Photographers move between commercial, editorial, documentary and fine art photography throughout their careers.
Build transferable skills that work across creative sectors instead of hyper-specialising so narrowly your options become limited if your niche disappears. Learn business fundamentals along with creative techniques so you understand client budgets and project management. But most importantly, stay curious about adjacent creative fields because your next career move might come from an industry you haven’t considered yet.
FAQs about creative careers
What are the best paying creative careers in Australia?
The highest-paying creative careers in Australia are typically senior leadership roles. Design directors can earn between $175,000 and $195,000, while senior UX directors report salaries of around $183,000. Experienced creative directors, heads of creative and art directors can also earn six-figure salaries, particularly in larger organisations and specialised industries.
Can photography lead to long-term creative career growth?
Yes. Junior photographers usually start at around $50,000, while commercial and fine art photographers can reach $94,000 with experience and a strong portfolio. Academic photographers and university lecturers in creative arts can earn $120,000 to $140,000, which makes teaching one of the strongest long-term earning pathways for photographers.
What is the highest paid creative job?
Academic lecturers in creative arts report the highest salaries at up to $220,000 per year, though design directors have the strongest advertised range at $175,000 to $195,000 and senior UX directors reach $183,000. Figures vary depending on the source and whether the data reflects the advertised roles, self-reported salaries or a mix of both.
What career should I choose if I am creative?
Match your creative strengths to real work environments. If you love working with people, try photography or styling. If you prefer to work alone, consider illustration or video editing. Think honestly about whether you need stable income or can handle freelance uncertainty before committing to any pathway.
Say goodbye to the starving artist stereotype
Creative careers in Australia grew 3.8% annually whilst everyone else managed just 2.4%, throwing $67.4 billion into the economy last year alone. Creative work pays properly now, thanks to social media platforms and streaming services transforming Australia’s content industry. Real jobs with proper salaries are there for photographers, designers, videographers and stylists who’ve got the training that proves they can deliver.
PSC’s photography, graphic design, screen media and fashion courses teach you the technical skills clients pay for. Start building a portfolio that gets you hired so you can confidently pursue professional opportunities.