Top 5 Australian companies with the best career development opportunities
February 24, 2026
best career development opportunities

Are you tired of navigating the job market’s uncertainties, wishing you knew which employers will genuinely prioritise your career development? 

You’re in the right place because we have compiled the top five Australian WORK180-Endorsed Employers for career development opportunities. These organisations go beyond promises and offer tangible career development. 

From personalised mentorship programs to innovative training initiatives, they break down career barriers. Let us guide you through these companies’ initiatives, helping you make informed decisions for a career that’s not just a path but a success story.

Benefits of working in a company with great career development opportunities

When career development is prioritised, employees experience a myriad of benefits that extend far beyond the professional realm.

Here are a few:

  • Knowledge Sharing and Collaborative Culture: Companies that emphasise career development often foster a culture of knowledge-sharing and collaboration. Regardless of their position, employees are encouraged to contribute ideas, share experiences, and collaborate on projects, creating a more inclusive and dynamic workplace.
  • Mentorship and Networking Opportunities: Career development initiatives often include mentorship programs and networking events. Even if you’re not seeking a promotion, participating in a mentorship program provides valuable insights and guidance from experienced professionals. Networking opportunities can broaden your connections within and outside the organisation, opening doors to new possibilities.
  • Increased Job Security: In organisations where career development is a priority, employees are more likely to acquire a diverse skill set. This not only makes them more adaptable to changing job requirements but also enhances their overall job security.
  • Positive Work Culture and Employee Morale: A commitment to career development contributes to a positive work culture. When employees witness their peers succeeding and growing within the organisation, they feel proud and boost overall morale. A supportive work environment, in turn, enhances job satisfaction for everyone involved.

How we calculate the best opportunities

Not only have all the employers we endorse on our website met our minimum standards to be there, but they also completed a detailed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) survey that requests further information about the drivers we know are important to improving DEI in the workplace. The result is a holistic and intersectional understanding of each company’s current DEI performance and employee offering.

The data helps us rank Endorsed Employers on the key metrics and benefits, like career development opportunities, that job seekers should know about a company before they apply!

Which Endorsed Employers have the best career development opportunities?

The data that makes up these rankings was correct as of the 24th of February 2026.

Edits and updates may have been made since then. 

Check out our explore pages for the most up-to-date rankings. 

1. Dentons

Legal services | 501-1,000 employees

Promotion of women in the last 12 months: 57%

Initiatives to promote career development:

  • Access to training and education resources
  • Access to career coaching
  • External mentoring programs
  • External training and education support
  • Facilitating internal secondments or internships in new business functions
  • Facilitating external secondments or internships in new environments
  • Financial contributions towards external qualifications
  • Funding attendance at industry conferences and/or events
  • Graduate or trainee programs
  • Internal mentoring or coaching programs
  • Internal training and education academies
  • Leadership or other executive education training
  • Providing membership to professional or industry associations
  • Sponsorship of employees by senior leaders
  • External or internal mentoring program focused on First Nation employees

2. AECOM

Engineering | 1,001-5,000 employees

Promotion of women in the last 12 months: 41%

Initiatives to promote career development:

  • Access to training and education resources
  • Access to career coaching
  • External mentoring programs
  • External training and education support
  • Facilitating internal secondments or internships in new business functions
  • Facilitating external secondments or internships in new environments
  • Financial contributions towards external qualifications
  • Funding attendance at industry conferences and/or events
  • Graduate or trainee programs
  • Internal mentoring or coaching programs
  • Internal training and education academies
  • Leadership or other executive education training
  • Providing membership to professional or industry associations
  • Sponsorship of employees by senior leaders
  • External or internal mentoring program focused on First Nation employees

3. Beon, CitiPower, Powercor & United Energy

Mining, resources & energy | 1,001-5,000 employees

Promotion of women in the last 12 months: 35%

Initiatives to promote career development:

  • Access to training and education resources
  • Access to career coaching
  • External mentoring programs
  • External training and education support
  • Facilitating internal secondments or internships in new business functions
  • Facilitating external secondments or internships in new environments
  • Financial contributions towards external qualifications
  • Funding attendance at industry conferences and/or events
  • Graduate or trainee programs
  • Internal mentoring or coaching programs
  • Internal training and education academies
  • Leadership or other executive education training
  • Providing membership to professional or industry associations
  • Sponsorship of employees by senior leaders
  • External or internal mentoring program focused on First Nation employees

4. Essential Energy

Mining, resources & energy | 1,001-5,000 employees

Promotion of women in the last 12 months: 27%

Initiatives to promote career development:

  • Access to training and education resources
  • Access to career coaching
  • External mentoring programs
  • External training and education support
  • Facilitating internal secondments or internships in new business functions
  • Facilitating external secondments or internships in new environments
  • Financial contributions towards external qualifications
  • Funding attendance at industry conferences and/or events
  • Graduate or trainee programs
  • Internal mentoring or coaching programs
  • Internal training and education academies
  • Leadership or other executive education training
  • Providing membership to professional or industry associations
  • Sponsorship of employees by senior leaders
  • External or internal mentoring program focused on First Nation employees

5. Cummins

Manufacturing & operations| 1,001-5000 employees

Initiatives to promote career development:

  • Access to training and education resources
  • Access to career coaching
  • External mentoring programs
  • External training and education support
  • Facilitating internal secondments or internships in new business functions
  • Facilitating external secondments or internships in new environments
  • Financial contributions towards external qualifications
  • Funding attendance at industry conferences and/or events
  • Graduate or trainee programs
  • Internal mentoring or coaching programs
  • Internal training and education academies
  • Leadership or other executive education training
  • Providing membership to professional or industry associations
  • Sponsorship of employees by senior leaders
  • External or internal mentoring program focused on First Nation employees

Discover more about these Endorsed Employers

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About the Author

WORK180 promotes organizational standards that raise the bar for women in the workplace. We only endorse employers that are committed to making real progress so that all women can expect better.

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