As Australia moves toward increased educational, trade, business, legal and cultural interaction with Asia, the demand for people with Asian language training and knowledge of the area is increasing.

Career prospects for Asian Studies graduates in both the public and private sectors are good. Asian Studies graduates find employment in marketing, international trade, banking and finance, teaching, tourism, as well as all areas of federal, state and overseas government departments.

Graduates who have combined their studies of Asia with vocationally oriented qualifications in, say, economics, international relations, political science or law, are especially well placed to find employment in Australia and overseas, and are well placed to benefit from career opportunities which are opening up as Australia's relations with the nations of Asia continue to develop.

Asian language graduates obtain employment as translators and interpreters. There is a need for personnel who can communicate with non-English speakers, specifically in government departments dealing with immigration and ethnic affairs, foreign affairs, customs and excise, social welfare, health and consumer affairs. Further, a number of foreign language newspapers and radio programs employ translators.

Asian language graduates who complete a postgraduate Diploma of Education can teach languages in primary and secondary schools.

Asian Studies graduates are also employable in areas not directly related to their language and area studies because the training they obtain develops the ability to carry out research, communicate ideas and suggest solutions to problems. Employers value their high level of intellectual training.

The information published on the Study at ANU 2009 website applies to the 2009 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2008 website.