In a normal year the positions are about evenly divided between Government, University and Other. In recent years the Australian Research Council has supported an increased number of research fellow positions in Universities which has enabled recent graduates to continue with original research. Some students are attracted to secondary teaching and complete a Diploma in Education after their physics degree. A Mason scholarship is available. Over one hundred different firms in commerce and industry advertise a position or two each year.
Commercial firms advertise for first degree graduates to enter their training schemes.
Graduates with quantitative skills, such as physics, do well. Employers also value skills in oral and written communication, computers, time management and organisation, and ability to work in a team. Physics students have the opportunity to develop these skills as part of their courses. A significant recent development has been the establishment of Cooperative Research Centres. These involve, industry, government laboratories and Universities.