10 worst Aussie jobs for the future

The Australian job market has been subdued over the past year, while many Australians continue to face the struggles of low inflation, weakening economic growth and high house prices.

Those working in fading professions face even larger challenges as the Australian Department of Employment projects five-year jobs to drop up to 35.7 per cent in some industries.

Also read: Will your job become obsolete?

More streamlined production processes, continually improving technology and more automation are mostly to blame.

Changes in consumer demand and the falling Australian dollar have also taken a toll on jobs in the agriculture sector.

Also read: Jobless rate will fall below 6%: RBA

Times are even tougher for young Australians looking for jobs while the youth unemployment rate is double the national average, meaning competition for good jobs is intense.

Top 10 careers to avoid

Product Assembler

Total number of jobs (November 2014): 26,900

Projected five-year employment growth (‘000): -9.6

Projected five-year job growth percentage: -35.7%

Median annual salary: $108,000

 

Railway Track Worker

Total number of jobs (November 2014): 3,400

Projected five-year employment growth (‘000): -0.9

Projected five-year job growth percentage: -24.7%

Median annual salary: $45,447

 

Other Construction and Mining Laborer

Total number of jobs (November 2014): 4,300

Projected five-year employment growth (‘000): -1.1

Projected five-year job growth percentage: -24.7%

Median annual salary: $41,950

 

Printing Assistant and Table Worker

Total number of jobs (November 2014): 4,400

Projected five-year employment growth (‘000): -1.0

Projected five-year job growth percentage: -22.7%

Median annual salary: $41,228

 

Secretary

Total number of jobs (November 2014): 51,000

Projected five-year employment growth (‘000): -11.4

Projected five-year job growth percentage: -22.3%

Median annual salary: $48,001

 

Sewing Machinist

Total number of jobs (November 2014): 8,300

Projected five-year employment growth (‘000): -1.7

Projected five-year job growth percentage: -20.4%

Median annual salary: $50,779

 

Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operator

Total number of jobs (November 2014): 4,300

Projected five-year employment growth (‘000): -0.9

Projected five-year job growth percentage: -20.4%

Median annual salary: $41,475

 

Textile and Footwear Production Machine Operator

Total number of jobs (November 2014): 1,900

Projected five-year employment growth (‘000): -0.4

Projected five-year job growth percentage: -20.4%

Median annual salary: $46,228

 

Engineering Production Systems Worker

Total number of jobs (November 2014): 17,100

Projected five-year employment growth (‘000): -3.5

Projected five-year job growth percentage: -20.4%

Median annual salary: $71,019

 

Crop Farm Worker

Total number of jobs (November 2014): 20,100

Projected five-year employment growth (‘000): -3.9

Projected five-year job growth percentage: -19.2%

Median annual salary: $41,802