12 Best Job Ideas for People with Dyslexia in Australia
Bipolar disorder is a long-term mental health condition that can cause significant changes in mood, energy, and activity levels, sometimes affecting daily life and work. But know that you are not alone. In Australia, around 1 in 50 people live with bipolar disorder. The good news is that awareness is growing, and more workplaces are becoming inclusive and supportive of mental health, creating environments where everyone can succeed. In this blog, we’ll explore some job ideas for people with bipolar disorder that align with their unique strengths and preferences, offering both stability and satisfaction.
Disclaimer: This list is by no means exhaustive, and there are countless other career paths that might suit your interests and abilities. Please reach out to an employment coach to determine what is suitable for your individual situation and preferences.
Creative and Design Job Roles for People with Dyslexia
Creative and design careers offer a place where visual thinking is not only accepted but deeply valued. For individuals with dyslexia, this can be especially meaningful. Research on dyslexia and creativity suggests that individuals with dyslexia often excel at generating original and unconventional ideas, which is a crucial aspect of creative thinking. These strengths go beyond traditional academics and can truly shine in the right environment.
The jobs listed below value flexible thinking, creativity, and visual problem solving, providing space for the dyslexic mind to thrive through imagination and creativity.
1. Graphic Designer
Graphic design is an excellent career for individuals with dyslexia who think visually and enjoy problem-solving. This role involves creating designs that bring your ideas to life using software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. Individuals with dyslexia often excel in colour theory, layout design, and conceptual thinking, which are key elements in design work. With flexible freelance opportunities and growing demand across various industries, this field offers creative freedom and a strong career path.
Requirements: Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Design or other related fields, technical skills in design software, portfolio of previous design works
Average Salary Range: $74,000 to $109,111 per year
2. Photographer
Photography is more than just clicking a button. It’s an art form that captures emotion, frames moments, and tells visual stories. Many individuals with dyslexia often have a strong sense of perspective and timing, which are essential skills in photography. Whether you work in fashion, events, nature, or product photography, this role offers creative freedom, allowing your vision to speak louder than words.
Requirements: While a formal qualification may not be required, a Bachelor’s Degree in Photography, a TAFE course, or any related training can be an advantage
Average salary range: $70,000 to $75,000 per year
3. Fashion Designer
Fashion design values originality, texture, colour, and visual creativity, all areas where many dyslexic individuals naturally excel. Sketching out ideas, working with fabric, and conceptualising collections allow for hands-on, sensory engagement. Some individuals with dyslexia also find success in upcycling or sustainable fashion, where creative thinking meets social impact. The fashion industry values bold ideas, and individuals with dyslexia often bring a fresh perspective to the table.
Requirements: A Certificate, Diploma, or Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Design or a Related Field
Average salary range: $70,000 to $85,000 per year
Where to Find the Right Opportunities: Finding a job that aligns with your strengths and interests, while offering the right support, can take time. NDIS-registered providers like Nexus help people with Dyslexia connect with employers who value accessibility, inclusion, and clear communication.
Practical and Hands-On Job Roles for People with Dyslexia
Some minds are made for movement, building, shaping, and transforming ideas with their hands. Practical careers, such as carpentry, baking, and electrical work, offer a setting where skill speaks louder than reading or writing, with every task culminating in something tangible.
The following career paths honour action over paperwork, giving space for the dyslexic mind to thrive through craft, rhythm, and results that can be seen and felt.
4. Electrician
Electricians work with tools, wiring, and blueprints. The role is physical and problem-solving based, with minimal paperwork once trained. Most learning happens through apprenticeships, where visual and hands-on instruction is the norm. Dyslexic people often excel at recognising patterns and troubleshooting circuits, making this a well-suited career path for those who enjoy hands-on work and think creatively to find solutions.
Requirements: Four-Year Apprenticeship, Including On-the-Job Training and Attending a Vocational Training Institution
Average salary range: $90,000 to $110,000 per year
5. Carpenter
Carpentry involves measuring, cutting, and building structures. Dyslexic individuals often excel at visualising space and working with their hands, thriving in environments where instructions are given verbally or demonstrated. It’s an ideal job option for people with dyslexia who value creativity and practical skills, as these traits take centre stage, often outweighing the need for written ability.
Requirements: Certificate III in Carpentry
Average salary range: $65,000 to $90,000 per year
6. Chef or Baker
Cooking and baking are sensory-driven careers where taste, touch and timing reign. Recipes can be memorised and mastered with repetition, making these careers ideal for dyslexic people. Kitchens are fast-paced, team-driven environments that favour multitasking and creativity. Dyslexic chefs often shine in food presentation and flavour balancing, bringing intuition and artistry to every plate. For those who think in flavours and enjoy being on their feet, the culinary path offers both creativity and purpose.
Requirements: Certificate III or IV in Commercial Cookery or Baking
Average salary range: $60,000 to $80,000 per year
Roles Involving Strong Interpersonal Skills for People with Dyslexia
Dyslexia often brings with it strong interpersonal skills that go beyond reading and writing. Many individuals with dyslexia are gifted with high emotional intelligence, making them natural communicators and empathetic leaders. Careers in counselling, coaching, teaching, and leadership provide opportunities to connect deeply with others, using insight and understanding to inspire and support.
The following roles celebrate the power of strong interpersonal skills and emotional awareness as essential tools for success.
7. Counsellor or Life Coach
For those who are good at understanding others and enjoy helping, working as a counsellor or life coach can be a rewarding career. This kind of work requires patience, care, and strong listening skills to help individuals think clearly and make their own choices. The role is mostly one-on-one and focused on spoken communication, making it a great fit for dyslexic people who express themselves better through conversation.
Requirements: Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015), Bachelor of Counselling or Psychology, Graduate Diploma or Master’s Degree in Counselling. No formal qualifications are required to become a Life Coach
Average salary range: $80,000 – $95,000 per year (counsellor); $49,192 to $246,581 per year (life coach)
8. Social Worker
Social work is a calling for those who feel deeply and want to stand beside others in their most challenging moments. It’s about listening with an open heart and offering support when life feels overwhelming for others. Much of this work takes place face-to-face in homes, communities, and places where real life unfolds. Because it relies on spoken communication rather than written words, social work can be a good career path for people with dyslexia.
Requirements: Accredited Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Social Work
Average salary range: $85,000 to $105,000 per year
9. Sales Representative
A sales representative serves as a bridge between needs and solutions, connecting people with the products or services they require. It’s a role grounded in conversation, intuition, and the ability to read people. In a world that often favours the written detail, this is where the spoken word shines, making it an ideal career for those with dyslexia, whose strength lies in speaking with clarity and confidence.
Requirements: Certificate III in Business Sales or a Certificate IV in Business Sales
Average salary range: $70,000 to $85,000 per year
Problem-Solving and Strategic Job Roles for People with Dyslexia
Individuals with dyslexia often rely on spatial strategies during problem-solving, a tendency proposed by Bacon, Handley, and McDonald (2007). This indicates that their minds are naturally inclined toward creative and strategic thinking.
The jobs listed below provide an ideal environment for these talents to thrive, fostering creativity, adaptability, and the confidence to lead with purpose:
10. Entrepreneur or Small Business Owner
For those who desire to create their own path, becoming an entrepreneur or small business owner offers the opportunity to set their own pace and develop a unique approach. Being an entrepreneur provides flexibility and freedom to work in ways that match one’s strengths and is ideal for self-starters whose creativity and problem-solving take centre stage. Many successful entrepreneurs with dyslexia, such as Steve Jobs and Richard Branson, serve as excellent examples demonstrating the strength of dyslexic thinking in the business world.
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Business or any related field
Average salary range: $83,532 to $121,791 per year
11. IT Support Technician
An IT support technician troubleshoots technical issues, assisting users in finding effective solutions. This role requires logical thinking and practical skills, making it an ideal option for individuals with dyslexia. Dyslexic strengths, such as strong problem-solving abilities and creative thinking, are unique qualities that can lead to great success in this career. With the right support, individuals with dyslexia can truly thrive in this dynamic field.
Requirements: IT-related qualification, such as a Certificate III or IV in Information Technology, or an undergraduate qualification in IT
Average salary range: $70,000 to $80,000 per year
12. Game Designer or Developer
Creating engaging digital experiences requires a blend of creativity and structured thinking, which is exactly what game designers and developers do. This role suits individuals with dyslexia well, as their innovative thinking and problem-solving ability bring a unique and valuable edge to the creative process. It’s a career that balances creative ideas with structured problem-solving to create games and websites that captivate and engage users.
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer and Information Technology, Bachelor’s Degree in Computer and Information Technology game design or a related field
Average salary range: $90,000 to $115,919 per year
Jobs That May Be Challenging for People with Dyslexia
Dyslexia primarily affects reading, writing, and processing written information, which can make certain jobs that rely heavily on these skills more difficult. Some of these jobs include:
- Editor or proofreader
- Data entry clerk
- Translator
- Technical writer
- Academic researcher
However, it’s important to remember that dyslexia affects everyone differently, and many people develop effective strategies to succeed in a wide range of careers. Finding roles that play to your strengths and allow for assistive technology or accommodations can help you thrive professionally.
Key Considerations for Job Seekers with Dyslexia
Choosing the right job means finding roles that match your interests, learning style, and support needs. Here’s how to get started:
Identify Your Strengths and Interests
Reflect on what you do well. Are you good with hands-on tasks, enjoy visual work, helping others, or solving problems creatively? Knowing your strengths can help guide your career choices.
Use Self-Assessment Tools and Strategies
Self-assessment tools can help you understand your strengths and challenges, guiding your career decisions. Examples include:
- Mind mapping to visualise your skills and interests
- Career quizzes like the Australian Government’s Job Outlook
- Feedback from family, friends, or mentors
- Work trials or volunteering to explore different roles
Seek Support
Disability Employment Services (DES) can ease your job search by connecting you with a career counsellor who helps identify your strengths, build skills, find supportive employers, and arrange workplace adjustments.
Let Us Help You Find a Career That Suits You
Dyslexia does not have to hold you back from finding a fulfilling career. At Nexus, our dedicated team of employment consultants specialises in helping people with dyslexia turn challenges into opportunities.
Our tailored job placement services focus on finding meaningful work that matches your abilities and supports your long-term success. Let Nexus be your partner in taking the first step toward a rewarding and empowering career.
FAQ
1. Can people with dyslexia get a good job?
Yes, absolutely. Many individuals with dyslexia excel in creative and practical roles. With the right support, you can thrive in high-paying and fulfilling careers.
2. What jobs are bad for individuals with dyslexia?
Jobs that rely heavily on fast-paced reading, spelling accuracy, or written documentation with minimal support may be more challenging. Examples include a transcriptionist, a legal proofreader, or a court reporter. However, every person is different, and many dyslexic people find various strategies to succeed in their chosen profession.
3. Do I have to tell my employer I have dyslexia?
No. While there’s no legal requirement to inform your employer, sharing your diagnosis can help you receive workplace accommodations under disability legislation, like extra time for tasks or assistive software.
4. Can dyslexia be considered a disability for employment support?
Yes. In many countries, including Australia, dyslexia is recognised as a specific learning disability. This makes you eligible for workplace adjustments and government-funded support programs.
5. Who hires individuals with dyslexia?
Progressive employers in industries such as design, IT, engineering, film, trades, and business value the unique perspectives that individuals with dyslexia bring. Some companies even have neurodiversity hiring programs to attract and support individuals with dyslexia.