Health Courses Dominate 2026 University Enrolments in Australia as IT Declines

Key Trends Shaping Australian University Enrolments in 2026

Australian students are showing a clear preference for stability and societal impact in their higher education choices this year. Data from major tertiary admissions centres reveals that health-related programs have solidified their position as the leading field of study for commencing undergraduates. This shift underscores a broader movement towards careers that promise job security amid economic uncertainties and an ageing population. Meanwhile, fields like information technology, once a hotspot for enrolment growth, are experiencing a noticeable pullback.

The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) in New South Wales, along with counterparts in Queensland (QTAC) and Victoria (VTAC), report that health fields captured over a quarter of first preferences in early applications for 2026 entry. This represents a slight uptick from previous years, highlighting sustained demand.

Breakdown of National Enrolment Offers by Field

Early indicators from national tertiary offers paint a vivid picture. Health programs accounted for approximately 26.6% of first preferences among early-bird applicants, up from 25.8% the prior year. In contrast, information technology slipped to 3.4%, down from 4.0%. Society and culture fields held steady at around 19.6%, while management and commerce made up 13.2%.

• Health: 26.6% (top choice)
• Society & Culture: 19.6%
• Management & Commerce: 13.2%
• Natural & Physical Sciences: 10.1%
• Creative Arts: 6.0%
• Education: 5.5%
• IT: 3.4% (decline noted)

Engineering saw a modest rise, bucking some downward trends in technical fields. These figures are drawn from aggregated data across admissions bodies, focusing primarily on domestic students seeking undergraduate places.

Top Health Courses Leading the Surge

Within the health domain, students are gravitating towards a mix of clinical and allied health professions. Nursing remains a perennial favourite, with Bachelor of Nursing programs filling offer rounds rapidly. Medicine and medical science degrees top the lists in prestige and competitiveness, particularly at institutions like the University of Sydney and Monash University.

Allied health fields are booming too. Pharmacy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and veterinary science have seen heightened interest. For instance, in Queensland's main offer round, these courses dominated applicant choices at universities such as the University of Queensland and Griffith University.

Public health, biomedical sciences, and paramedicine round out popular options, reflecting a holistic view of healthcare needs.

Regional Variations Across States

While the national trend favours health, preferences vary by state. In New South Wales, UAC data shows health at 26.6% of early preferences, with law degrees prominent in society and culture. Queensland mirrors this, with health degrees overwhelming QTAC offers—pharmacy and veterinary science particularly strong.

Victoria's VTAC reports align closely, emphasising nursing and allied health amid a state-wide healthcare worker shortage projected at over 59,000 by 2026. Regional universities like Charles Sturt and Federation are also noting upticks in health enrolments, supporting rural health initiatives.

South Australia and Western Australia show similar patterns, with health edging out business fields. These variations tie into local job markets and demographic pressures.

Why Are Students Choosing Health Degrees?

Several factors drive this dominance. Australia's ageing population—with over 400,000 additional aged care workers needed by 2050—creates insatiable demand. Registered nurses alone face a 13.9% job growth projection, adding 40,400 roles in five years. Over 82% of health occupations reported shortages in 2023, with fill rates at just 44%.

Post-COVID recognition of healthcare heroes has inspired many, while job security appeals in volatile times. Unlike tech, health roles resist automation and outsourcing. Students cite meaningful work and predictable career paths as key motivators.

• Demographic shift: Baby boomers retiring, increasing care needs.
• Workforce shortages: 70,000+ nurses short by 2035.
• Job stability: High employability rates post-graduation.
• Government incentives: Scholarships and HECS-HELP flexibility for health.

For more on thriving in health research roles, check career advice for research assistants.

The Decline in IT Enrolments: What's Behind It?

Information technology, encompassing computer science, software engineering, and cybersecurity, has seen enrolments drop sharply. First preferences fell to 3.4%, the largest decline among major fields. This mirrors global trends, with US computing enrolments down 15% at some levels due to AI hype and tech layoffs.

In Australia, students perceive IT careers as risky: mass redundancies at big tech firms, AI automating coding, and remote work intensifying global competition. While demand exists in niches like cybersecurity, the broad appeal has waned.

Universities report fewer domestic applicants pivoting to IT amid these signals. For faculty opportunities in adapting fields, explore higher ed faculty jobs.

Impacts on Universities and Capacity Challenges

Australian universities, from Group of Eight powerhouses like Melbourne and Sydney to regionals, are recalibrating. Health faculties face infrastructure strains—clinical placements, labs, and simulators are in short supply. Some, like Monash's Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences faculty, are expanding intakes.

Declining IT numbers strain departmental funding, prompting curriculum overhauls towards AI-health intersections like health informatics. Domestic enrolment recovery—4% growth projected—helps offset international cap effects.

UAC's 2026 trends report details these shifts.

Career Prospects and Employability in Health Fields

Graduates in health enjoy stellar outcomes. Nursing bachelor's holders boast 95% employment within four months, often with starting salaries around AUD 75,000. Physiotherapists and pharmacists exceed AUD 85,000 averages.

• Nursing: 13.9% growth, stable shifts.
• Medicine: High competition but lifetime earnings over AUD 5M.
• Allied Health: Rural incentives, flexible roles.

Check higher ed jobs for lecturer positions in booming programs or Australian academic opportunities.

Future Outlook: Sustained Demand and Emerging Hybrids

By 2030, healthcare will lead workforce expansion at 14.9%, per government forecasts. Universities anticipate hybrid programs blending health with tech—think digital health, telemedicine engineering.

IT may rebound in specialised areas, but health's dominance seems set. Policymakers eye incentives to balance fields.

Universities Australia data hub tracks ongoing trends.

Actionable Advice for Prospective Students

Research ATAR requirements—health often demands 95+ scores. Seek clinical experience via volunteering. Consider pathway programs at TAFEs leading to unis.

For career planning, visit higher ed career advice, rate my professor, or university jobs.

Explore jobs in Australia for post-grad roles.