How to become an Actuary

According to the Actuaries Institute, actuaries evaluate risk and opportunity – they apply mathematical, statistical, economic and financial analyses to a wide range of business problems. We work in new, high-growth fields, such as data science, energy resources, and climate risk in addition to more readily recognised fields like insurance, superannuation, wealth management, investments, health financing, and banking. Many actuaries also hold executive positions in the operational management of financial institutions.

Students might like to watch this short YouTube clip - What do you do in your current job as an Actuary? - YouTube to learn more.

The actuarial education program in Australia is made up of three parts, the Foundation Program, the Actuary Program, and the Fellowship Program.

Foundation Program – studying an undergraduate actuarial degree at one of eight accredited universities seven in Australia and one in New Zealand.

Actuary Program – students learn how to apply their technical actuarial skills to a range of problems across different business environments. Two subjects in this program are taught by the accredited universities with the other two being delivered by the Actuaries Institute in an online environment.

Fellowship Program – this level is offered online through the Actuaries Institute. It builds on the Foundation and Actuary Programs and teaches students how to apply their skills and complete studies in specialist areas of practice.

Students can become a fully qualified actuary by applying to become a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia (FIAA). To qualify as a Fellow, members need to have passed or been exempted from the Institute's examinations, met the practical experience requirement, and completed a recognised Professionalism Course.

Find out more at Becoming an Actuary | Actuaries Institute and FAQs.

Career opportunities in medicine beyond being a doctor

If you’re passionate about health and helping others, becoming a doctor is an incredible and rewarding career choice. But what if you don’t get in on your first try? Or perhaps, you discover along the way that being a doctor isn’t quite the path for you after all?

The good news is that the world of medicine and health is full of exciting career opportunities beyond the traditional doctor role. There are countless ways to get involved in healthcare and make a meaningful difference. In this blog, we'll highlight just a few of the alternative career pathways in medicine that you might want to consider.

Nursing

Nurses are at the heart of healthcare, providing direct care to patients, assisting with treatments, and being advocates for health and well-being. Whether you're interested in working in hospitals, clinics, or in the community, there are various specialties within nursing, including midwifery, paediatric, emergency, mental health, NICU, oncology, and surgical nursing - just to name a few.

With the flexibility of nursing, you can work in diverse settings and have plenty of career development opportunities, such as becoming a nurse practitioner or a clinical nurse specialist.

Physical Therapy

If you’re interested in helping people recover from injuries, manage pain, or improve mobility, physiotherapy or occupational therapy could be the path for you. Physiotherapists work with patients to restore movement and function, often through exercise, massage, or other treatments. Occupational therapists focus on helping people develop or regain the skills needed for daily activities, using adaptive techniques, exercises, and assistive devices.

Both careers offer the opportunity to work directly with people and make a meaningful impact on their quality of life without pursuing a full medical degree.

Pharmacy

Pharmacists play a vital role in healthcare by ensuring patients receive the correct medications and advising them on how to use them safely. This is an excellent choice if you have an interest in drugs, their effects on the body, and providing personalised health advice.

Pharmacists work in hospitals, retail pharmacies, and even research settings, contributing to public health in many ways.

Paramedicine (Emergency Medical Services)

For those who thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy helping people in urgent situations, paramedicine can be a fulfilling career. Paramedics respond to emergencies, provide medical care on the spot, and transport patients to healthcare facilities when needed.

This is a hands-on role with a significant impact on saving lives and providing immediate support.

Medical Laboratory Science

Medical laboratory technicians and scientists are essential in diagnosing and treating illnesses by analysing laboratory samples. If you enjoy working behind the scenes but still want to play a crucial role in patient care, this could be an ideal career. You’ll work with cutting-edge technology to analyse blood, urine, and tissue samples, helping doctors diagnose conditions and track patients' progress.

Find out more about what it could be like working in a laboratory here.

Health Administration and Management

Health administrators manage hospitals, clinics, or public health organisations, ensuring that everything runs smoothly. This role might appeal to you if you’re interested in healthcare but are more drawn to organisational, leadership, and business tasks rather than direct patient care.

Health administrators help streamline healthcare systems and improve patient outcomes by managing resources, budgets, and staff.

Speech Therapy

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work with patients who have speech, language, or swallowing disorders. If you have an interest in communication and enjoy working closely with individuals to make a significant difference in their lives, this could be a great option.

You’ll help people regain their ability to speak or swallow, often after an illness or injury.

Public Health and Epidemiology

Public health professionals focus on improving health on a larger scale. If you’re passionate about preventing illness and improving health outcomes for entire populations, a career in public health might be right for you.

This could involve roles in epidemiology, health policy, environmental health, or health education. Epidemiologists, for example, study disease patterns and help control outbreaks.

Biomedical Science and Research

Biomedical scientists and researchers work in labs to understand diseases, develop new treatments, and advance medical knowledge. If you’re more interested in discovering the science behind health conditions and exploring new ways to treat them, biomedical research is an exciting field with plenty of opportunities to make a real difference in medicine.

Examples of careers in this field include Computational Biology and Data Science.

Radiography and Medical Imaging

Radiographers or medical imaging technologists use imaging technology, like X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, to help doctors diagnose and monitor illnesses. If you have an interest in technology and enjoy working in a healthcare environment, this can be an exciting role that combines technical skills with patient care.

Dietetics and Nutrition

Dietitians and nutritionists work with patients to develop healthy eating plans, manage diet-related health conditions, and promote overall well-being. If you have a passion for food and health and want to help others improve their lives through nutrition, this could be a career for you.

There are plenty of specialties within dietetics, including sports nutrition, paediatric nutrition, and clinical nutrition.

Alternative Therapies and Complementary Medicine

While traditional medicine plays a big role in healthcare, many people also look to alternative therapies, like acupuncture, massage therapy, or naturopathy, to support their well-being. If you're interested in holistic health practices, this could be a pathway for you to explore. Many practitioners work in private settings or as part of integrated healthcare teams.

You Don't Have to Stick to One Path

It’s easy to feel pressured to pick the “perfect” course before you even start university, but the truth is that many students change direction during their studies. Universities usually allow you to switch courses, move between related degrees, or adjust your major if your interests or goals shift.

For example, you might start in a general health or biomedical science degree and later transfer into medicine, or discover a passion for public health, research, or another healthcare field. These options mean you’re not locked into one path and can explore different areas before committing. Staying open to change lets you make informed decisions while building experience and knowledge along the way.

Where to explore more

The healthcare field is vast, and these are just a few options. There are many pathways into medicine, some requiring university degrees, others requiring vocational training or certifications. Here's where to start exploring:

Australia: Visit the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), Australian Medical Association, Primary Health Care Australia, and Health Workforce Australia for career insights and training information.
UK: Check out the NHS Careers website for a comprehensive look at health professions and pathways into medicine.
New Zealand - Aotearoa: Look into Careers.govt.nz and Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora for information on various health professions and study options.
Canada: Visit More than Medicine Nova Scotia, and Health Canada for information about careers and training requirements.
USA: US Dept of State Medical and Health, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Nurse.org, and the US Bureau of Labor Statistics are great places to start exploring.
Other countries: Many countries have government health websites or national healthcare organisations that can provide information on training and career paths in healthcare. Be sure to explore what’s available in your country!

Find the career that's right for you

The healthcare sector offers a multitude of career paths, many of which don’t require you to be a doctor. So if you're interested in medicine but aren’t sure about the doctor route, explore these alternatives. You might find a role that perfectly matches your interests and skills—and still make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Whether you're working directly with patients, behind the scenes in labs, or helping to manage healthcare systems, there’s a place for everyone in medicine.

Want to explore more different career options? You can read heaps of other blogs on our website here.

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