Australia’s most attractive employers of 2018 revealed

A SURVEY of almost 10,000 Australians has revealed the employers they wish they worked for — and the company with the top spot is surprising.

AUSSIES are not only lining up for the latest Apple products but for the latest Apple jobs, with the tech company named the number one most attractive employer of 2018.

A survey of almost 10,000 Australians by recruiter Randstad reveals more people want to work for Apple than for any other company included in the research.

It is the first year Apple has been added to the survey, allowing it to knock aviation employers off the top spot for the first time in four years.

Virgin Australia and Qantas were ranked the second and third most popular employers in 2018, respectively.

Competitive Foods Australia, which includes Hungry Jacks and KFC; Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC); Westfarmers, which includes Coles, Bunnings and Kmart; The University of New South Wales; JB Hi-Fi; Australia Post and Cabrini Health rounded out the top 10.

Lots of Aussies want to work for tech giant Apple. Picture: iStock

Frank Ribuot, chief executive of Randstad Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia and India, says Apple’s number one ranking may be the result of technology’s increasing involvement in people’s everyday lives.

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“From ordering food on the fly, to searching the latest jobs, the whole world is just a few taps away from your fingertips,” he says.

“Apple has led the technology revolution, so it’s no surprise that Aussies looking to ride the wave of innovation see the Californian tech giant and the technology sector in general as a great place to develop their careers.”

Qantas has ranked as a popular employer for many years. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

Technology and early learning tied as the most attractive employment sectors this year, followed by engineering; state and federal government; education; life sciences; professional, scientific and technical activities; FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods); arts, entertainment and recreation (not previously measured) and retail.

When choosing an employer, Aussies say they value work/life balance more than pay.

It is particularly valued among workers aged 25 to 44 (57 per cent say it’s important) and women (also 57 per cent).

Aside from work/life balance (important to 52 per cent of all respondents), Randstad research reveals workers value salary and benefits (52 per cent), job security (49 per cent), work atmosphere (39 per cent) and good training (37 per cent).

Australia’s Top 20 Most Attractive Employers

1. Apple

2. Virgin Australia

3. Qantas

4. Competitive Foods Australia

5. ABC

6. Wesfarmers

7. UNSW

8. JB HI-FI

9. Australia Post

10. Cabrini

11. Australian Government

12. Queensland Government

13. PwC

14. Healthe Care

15. RMIT

16. The University of Melbourne

17. IBM

18. NSW Government

19. Nestle

20. ACT Government

READ MORE EMPLOYMENT NEWS IN THE CAREERS SECTION OF SATURDAY’S THE COURIER-MAIL, THE HERALD SUN, THE ADVERTISER AND THE DAILY TELEGRAPH.