Australia is often referred to as "the lucky country".  Have you ever wondered what the highest paying jobs in Australia are?

In this article, we list some of the highest paying jobs in Australia based off the latest taxation data (2016-2017 income year).

There is no denying the fact that a career in medicine is likely to be quite lucrative in Australia. In fact, 50% of the top ten highest paying jobs in Australia are found within the medical field.

The highest paying profession in Australia is surgeon. In Australia, surgeons earned $394,866 per annum on average.

Surgeons are physicians who perform surgery and, not surprisingly, are required to undertake extensive training before becoming qualified.

A typical pathway to becoming a surgeon involves the following:

• Medical Degree (4 to 6 years depending on whether you are an undergraduate or graduate); then
• Internship in various hospital departments (1 year); then
• Residency in various hospital departments (1 to 2 years+); then
• FRACS  - Complete a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (5 to 6 years).

After up to 15 years+ of training to become a surgeon (which is extremely competitive at each step of the journey), it is not surprising that surgeons command the highest average salary in Australia.

Anaesthetists the second highest paid professionals in Australia. Anaesthetists earned $367,343 per annum on average.

An anaesthetist is a medical specialist who administers anaesthetics and, like surgeons, are required to undertake extensive training before becoming qualified.

A typical pathway to becoming an anaesthetist involves the following:

• Medical Degree (4 to 6 years depending on whether you are an undergraduate or graduate); then
• Internship in various hospital departments (1 year); then
• Residency in various hospital departments (1 to 2 years+); then
• FANZCA - Complete a Fellowship of Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (5 years).

There are a limited number of positions, and entry can be competitive.

Internal Medicine Specialists are the third highest paid professionals in Australia. Internal Medicine Specialists earned $299,378 per annum on average.

Internal Medicine Specialists are specialist physicians with expertise in the diagnosis and management of complex, chronic and multisystem disorders.

The entry pathway into internal medicine is complex and lengthy. More information can be found at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) website.

Financial Dealers are the fourth highest paid professionals in Australia. Financial Dealers earned $261,008 per annum on average.

According to Open Universities Australia, "Financial Dealers work with their own portfolio, buying and selling commodities and securities for profit under their own name. They monitor the financial marketplace and use their own capital for transactions".

Psychiatrists are the fifth highest paid professionals in Australia. Psychiatrists earned $216,075 per annum on average.

According to health direct, "a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has done extra training to become a specialist in mental health".

Rounding out the top ten highest paying jobs in Australia are the following:

• Other medical practitioners - $204,387;
• Judicial or other legal professions - $195,703;
• Mining engineers - $167,345;
• Chief executive officers and managing directors - $157,643; and
• Engineering managers - $147,451.

We hope you've enjoyed this list of the highest paying jobs in Australia.

Maybe it's given you some ideas on how you'd like to make a quid.

Remember, money isn't everything and it's important that whatever job you choose is one that you'll enjoy.