Australia's purpose-driven jobs with the highest satisfaction rates

It’s hard to find a job that you’re passionate about, let alone a job that satisfies you. Yet it’s not impossible. 

One thing that drives satisfaction among employees is finding purpose. When your job is purpose-driven, you feel good about contributing your effort, skills, and time to a worthy cause. You are proud at what you do.

At the same time, a purpose-driven workplace provides a sense of belonging to employees. A workplace that has a clear vision on where it is headed can help employees emerge with their best selves. Employees who work at a purpose-driven workplace feel a genuine connection to their work.

READ MORE | These employer benefits boost employee satisfaction

In Australia, job satisfaction is crucial for jobseekers, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the job market is open and there is a need for more workers, this is a good time for jobseekers to find a new job that gives them purpose and satisfaction. With that being said, SEEK gathered the list of most satisfying jobs in the country.

List of most satisfying jobs in Australia

1. Disability Support Worker (Average salary: $60,000)

2. Support Worker (Average salary: $68,000)

3. Director (Average salary: $175,000)

4. Medical Receptionist (Average salary: $55,000)

5. Truck Driver (Average salary: $75,000)

6. Administration Officer (Average salary: $60,000)

7. Team Leader (Average salary: $90,000)

8. Receptionist (Average salary: $55,000)

9. Picker and Packer (Average salary: $53,000)

10. Boilermaker (Average salary: $68,000)

11. Graphic Designer (Average salary: $68,000)

12. Executive Assistant (Average salary: $85,000)

13. Business Analyst (Average salary: $115,000)

14. Bus Driver (Average salary: $70,000)

15. General Manager (Average salary: $155,000)

16. Manager (Average salary: $125,000)

17. Dental Assistant (Average salary: $58,000)

18. Forklift Driver (Average salary: $60,000)

19. Kitchenhand (Average salary: $55,000)

20. Head Chef (Average salary: $70,000)

READ MORE | Why becoming a mentor is crucial for employee growth and retention

What are the main reasons for job satisfaction?

Sabina Read, SEEK’s Resident Psychologist, said that before the pandemic, although we had changed our priorities and values, we were less likely to honour them. She said that the pandemic gave us time to reflect and reassess the kinds of job we want to do.

What drives job satisfaction? Below are the reasons.

1. Purpose: Read says it doesn’t matter what kind of work you do, whatever the seniority or industry. What matters is that an employee feels that they are making a difference with what they do.

2. Sense of belonging: When we feel that we can be our authentic selves at work, we feel that we have a sense of belonging. Read says that there’s a higher chance that an employee will thrive under this condition.

3. Work-life balance: Do you have control over your life and what you really want? When you have work-life balance, you have enough time for other things outside work, like art classes, etc – other things that your find interesting and relaxing.

4. Career progression: Read says career progression indicates that what we do is creating change.  “It’s a barometer of growth,” she says.

5. Salary: Getting a living wage matters. Read says the key is whether an employee thinks they are being paid fairly. She says salary matters when employees feel that their remuneration is unfair.

6. Job security: Read says it’s not easy to promise job security especially in times of instability, but there are signs that you can check to see if your role is here to stay. For instance, check if there is a sense of stability in the company. You can also check how they treated people during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the average longevity of the employees who work in company.

7. Relationship with manager and colleagues: When relationships are going well, they lead to increased levels of job satisfaction. It allows workers to focus on other aspects of work because there is no need to negotiate conflict or put out fires.

8. Learning and development: If work is satisfying and purpose-driven, there is a general sense that we want to improve upon it. Read says it’s not just about traditional education opportunities, but other learning opportunities outside the scope of their roles.

9. Variety at work: Read says variety means you build on your existing skill set. When employees that, they can build higher levels of diversity in styles of work.

10. Workplace culture: Lastly, a strong workplace culture will lead to higher job satisfaction. Read says that when your personal values such as trust, connection, growth, or giving back do not align with your company’s, you might start to feel eroded. In your next job interview, don’t be afraid to ask: “How do you that your workplace culture is thriving?” 

At the end of the day, finding job satisfaction relates to being purpose-driven. Your personal motivations should also match your company’s motivations.