Ever wondered what your future could look like? You’re not alone! Many people—just like you—once sat in a classroom, dreaming big. Now, they’re living those dreams!
In this section, you’ll read inspiring true stories of Australians who worked hard, stayed curious, and found success in different ways. From doctors and pilots to small business owners and team players, their journeys show that anything is possible.
We explore their success in three exciting categories:
These stories are from people right here in Australia — so their journey could be your journey too!
Dr. Yumiko Kadota moved to Australia from Japan as a child. She studied hard, followed her dream of becoming a doctor, and became a specialist in surgery. After facing long working hours and challenges in the medical field, she wrote a bestselling book, “Emotional Female”, about her experience.
Lesson: It’s okay to face challenges — what matters is learning and standing up for what’s right.
Eddie Woo is a high school maths teacher in Sydney who loves to make learning fun. He started filming his lessons for a sick student — now his YouTube channel “Woo Tube” has over 1 million subscribers, helping students around the world!
💡 Lesson: Passion and kindness can turn an ordinary job into something extraordinary.
Dr. Karl is a famous science communicator in Australia. He’s worked as a physicist, doctor, and engineer, but he’s best known for explaining science in fun and simple ways on TV and radio.
💡 Lesson: You can combine your love of learning with creativity and communication.
Mehreen moved from Pakistan to Australia and worked as an environmental engineer. Later, she entered politics and became a Senator in the Australian Parliament — the first Muslim woman to do so!
💡 Lesson: Your professional skills can help make a big difference in the community.
Dr. Harris is an Australian doctor who helped rescue 12 boys trapped in a cave in Thailand in 2018. He used his special medical skills to keep the boys safe during the difficult rescue mission.
💡 Lesson: Professionals can become real-life heroes with their knowledge and courage.
Nova Peris is the first Aboriginal Australian to win an Olympic gold medal (in field hockey). After her sports career, she studied and became a Senator — the first Indigenous woman elected to federal parliament.
💡 Lesson: With hard work, you can succeed in many fields, even more than one!
Scott started as an apprentice carpenter, working for different companies. He worked hard, learned on the job, and became a successful builder. Later, he was chosen to host the hit TV show The Block in Australia — and became a household name!
💡 Lesson: You never know where your skills might take you. Starting with a job in a company can open up many doors!
Christine Holgate began her career working at a pharmacy while studying. She worked her way up through many companies and eventually became the CEO of Australia Post, helping the organisation grow and modernise.
💡 Lesson: Starting small in any job can lead to big leadership roles if you work hard and keep learning.
Aliir Aliir came to Australia as a refugee from South Sudan. He worked hard at school and sports, and eventually became a professional AFL player for the Port Adelaide Football Club. He is now a role model and team leader.
💡 Lesson: Being part of a strong team — like a football club or company — can lead to a successful and proud life.
Janine started as an employee working in a media company and as a personal assistant. Her journey through different jobs helped her learn what people like. That knowledge helped her start Boost Juice, now a global brand — but her success started by learning from jobs she worked under others!
💡 Lesson: Even entrepreneurs often begin by learning from employers. Every job teaches you something useful.
Andrew started out as a junior clerk at a local bank in New Zealand. He climbed the ranks and eventually became the CEO of the National Australia Bank (NAB) — one of the biggest banks in Australia.
💡 Lesson: Staying committed to your company and doing your best in every role can lead to top positions.
Melanie Perkins had a simple idea — to make design easy for everyone. While still a student in Perth, she created her own company. She worked hard for years, and now her business, Canva, is used by millions around the world!
💡 Lesson: Big ideas can start small. If you believe in yourself, anything is possible!
Kayla Itsines is a personal trainer from Adelaide who created the “Sweat” fitness app, now used by millions of people around the world. She started by sharing simple workout tips online and turned it into a multi-million dollar business!
💡 Lesson: You can turn your passion — like fitness — into a business if you stay consistent and connect with people.
Lana started as a PR worker, but she loved fashion so much that she began styling people on the side. Eventually, she created her own fashion brand “Lana Wilkinson Shoes”, worn by celebrities across Australia.
💡 Lesson: Doing what you love in your spare time can grow into your dream job.
Brodie Vissers is a freelance lifestyle and food photographer based in Melbourne. He works for himself and travels the world taking photos for big companies and creative projects. He also sells his photos on stock websites like Unsplash and Adobe Stock.
💡 Lesson: If you love something like photography, you can turn it into a job that gives you freedom and creativity.
Jack dropped out of university to follow his dream of helping young entrepreneurs. He founded The Entourage, an education platform that teaches people how to start and grow their own businesses. He’s now one of Australia’s top business educators.
💡 Lesson: If you believe in your ideas, you can create something valuable for others.
Ally is a software developer who noticed that not many girls were joining the tech world. So, she started Code Like a Girl, a business that helps young girls learn coding and computer skills. She now runs coding camps and workshops across Australia.
💡 Lesson: You can create a job that not only supports you but also empowers others.
Everyone starts somewhere — and that “somewhere” could be right here, right now, with you exploring your future. Whether you want to be a doctor, an employee in a great company, or your own boss, there is a path for YOU.
As you grow and find your dream job, we’d love to hear your success story one day too! Keep learning, dreaming, and doing your best.