Tasmania has a diverse economy. Tourism, manufacturing and agriculture are three of the main industries driving economic growth. Tasmania has a lower seasonally adjusted unemployment rate than Queensland and South Australia, with business investment and the export of goods and services all growing faster than the Australian average. These results alone make Tasmania a great place for accounting graduate opportunities.
Tasmania is often referred to as an island paradise, offering a high quality of life for a low cost of living. Transportation is also excellent and offers a less hectic commute than other states. The population of Tasmania is just 515,000, and overall is a great spot for graduates wanting a smooth transition into working life.
Hobart, Launceston and Devonport are the places to be in Tasmania for accounting employment opportunities. They are the three largest cities and the majority of Tasmania’s population live in or around these areas. Tasmania has some large accountancy firms with offices in the capital of Hobart and offer excellent graduate schemes. These companies include:
The average starting salary of an accountant in Tasmania is $45,799. Compared to the national average of $55,046 per year, this is significantly less. However, the cost of living in Tasmania is vastly cheaper, and so the average full-time salary reflects this. Despite these figures, the number of jobs available to accountancy graduates in Tasmania is substantial, with many offering greater salaries than the estimated average. With a comparably low population, competition for such jobs is also greatly reduced compared to other Australian cities and states.
The ability to find graduate positions in Tasmania is improving. Over the last five years, employment for accountants has risen, with further job openings expected. The main avenue for graduate accountants to explore is internet job boards and sites www.GradAustralia.com.au, as well as the websites of local firms. All of these provide a wealth of information about graduate opportunities.
Corporate Finance Manager at Jardine Matheson in Hong Kong at Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Graduate – Analytics and Information team, Technology department, Commonwealth Bank at Commonwealth Bank
Graduate Officer at Australian Taxation Office at Australian Taxation Office (ATO)