Recent Graduate Scores $60/hr Job Without Experience
A recent high school graduate from Brisbane has shared his experience landing a government job as a ground officer, earning $60 per hour despite having no prior work experience. The young man revealed his role involves processing claims related to natural disasters, particularly relevant following events like ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which increased demand for such positions in Queensland.
His employment falls under the AO4 level of the Queensland public sector, which comprises various administrative and customer service roles. Currently, there are numerous AO4 positions available on SEEK, indicating a solid job market for recent graduates.
In an interview with job application platform GetAhead, the graduate emphasised that while qualifications weren’t a barrier to his employment, effective communication and people skills were crucial. He advised high school students to engage with others and develop these skills, noting that the ability to connect with people can open many doors in the workforce.
Earning $60 an hour translates to a remarkable annual income of $115,200, considerably higher than the average starting salary for university graduates, which is typically between $60,000 and $70,000. For those transitioning out of the graduate stage, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reports the average wage at approximately $102,742, but this figure can be skewed by higher earners. The median salary for full-time workers, a more accurate representation, stands at $88,400 per year, or around $46 per hour.
Including part-time workers, the median wage drops to approximately $67,786, according to the Grattan Institute. Interestingly, a poll conducted by Yahoo Finance revealed that nearly 25% of respondents feel they would need an income exceeding $200,000 to live comfortably in the current economic climate.
This case exemplifies how determined individuals can achieve impressive career milestones early on, often without following conventional paths like tertiary education, as long as they possess the right skill set and attitude.
