Careers - Working conditions

Work Places
Actuaries generally work in the offices of financial services companies, consulting firms or some government departments.

Actuarial qualifications are internationally recognised. There is considerable scope for work overseas if desired.

 Actuaries make extensive use of data base and spreadsheet programs generally on their own personal computers.

Hours
Actuaries generally work flexible hours. They are often required to produce results and reports to tight deadlines, when long hours are required.

Salary
Trainee actuaries usually earn between about $35,000 and $90,000 per year. Newly qualified actuaries usually earn between about $90,000 and $120,000 per year.

The above figures are only very broad guidelines. Earnings depend very much on experience and expertise.

Contact with People
Actuaries may work alone at times, and in a team at other times. They have contact with a wide range of other professionals, including accountants, lawyers, business people, trustees and boards of directors.

Actuaries also have contact with organisations such as insurance companies, banks and government departments, and superannuation schemes. Individuals may request advice from actuaries.