How to master a career change at 50

The prospect of switching careers after 50 can be scary, but also exciting.

It’s a great opportunity to reframe the next 15 or so years of your work life by doing something you’ve always wanted to try.  

And you won’t be alone. According to the latest ABS stats, 6.4% of tertiary students are aged between 45 and 75 – these are people who know that pivoting your work life at 50 is a strategic move because you have so much more to offer now than when you were younger. 

This guide will outline the steps you can take to start down a new path, options to fast-track your journey and where you can find support.

A love of learning doesn't stop at any age – it's never too late to dive into something that genuinely interests you. Maybe there's a subject you've always been curious about, a cause that's close to your heart or a field where you know you could make a real contribution. 

Returning to study later in life isn't always about credentials – often it's about purpose, passion and growth. It’s an opportunity to explore ideas that really matter to you. That was the case for Peggie Zih, who began her career in IT and made a rather drastic switch later in life.

“I worked across sectors to design technology solutions that solved business problems. I loved the intellectual challenge, but over time the pace became overwhelming.”

“To find some balance, I started taking short courses in natural health simply out of personal interest. What began as a hobby gradually deepened.”

Changing careers at 50 with UNSW

By around 50 years old, your goalposts may have started to shift. In your career, your industry may be shrinking or changing, or you could simply be ready for work that fits your life, rather than the other way around. 

It’s the perfect time to re-evaluate. Whether you are driven by a long-held passion to give back or a practical need to future-proof your income in a changing market, pivoting now is the difference between winding down and reloading for a new chapter. Ultimately, you know your why, so we’ve covered the how below to make things easier. 

Here’s an example of the STAR approach in action: 

• Job requirement: Systems management 
• Situation: My team needed a new software package so we could be more efficient and track orders more easily. 
• Task: Define what the new software needed to do, get management buy-in, find a supplier and arrange installation.
• Action: I met with various users to see what they needed, presented findings to management, researched vendors and coordinated the timings and training.
• Result: The software was integrated into our day-to-day tasks with minimal disruption. 
• Demonstrated skills: Analysis, stakeholder management, leadership, communication and problem solving. 

If you know you want to retrain but you’re not sure what to study, try the UNSW Degree Finder. This is an interactive tool that matches your interests/personality to potential degrees and can help you narrow down your selection.   

Step 2: Don't start from scratch (Recognition of Prior Learning with UNSW)

Once you’ve worked out what you would like to study, don’t get put off by the requirement to sit through classes that are more suitable for school-leavers than someone with decades of work experience.

You can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), where UNSW can often use your work experience (or unfinished past degrees) to create course credit. This means you could leap-frog some subjects and finish your degree faster (and cheaper!). It’s also good to know that elements of your previous career are still very useful in lots of ways.  

Step 3: Fast-track your career with accelerated degrees, short courses and upskilling

Once you’ve made up your mind that a mid-life career change is for you, you might not want to study for three to four years before starting off in your new direction. 

Here are a few career pivot shortcuts:

• The give back pivot: Enrol in the Master of Teaching (Secondary) and be qualified in just 1.3 years. Sprint back into the workforce and earn a salary faster than almost any other professional pivot. UNSW graduates lead the Group of Eight (Go8) in median salary for postgraduate degrees, topping the list nationally for the 4th consecutive year three years after graduation.   

• The tech pivot: CyberCX’s 2024 report shows that Australia could need more than 30,000 new cyber security professionals by 2026 as demand continues to rise. The Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security can help people answer this call; it’s delivered 100% online and can be completed in as little as eight months.  

• The mind pivot: Many people dream of becoming a psychologist but are put off by the six years of study. The good news is that the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Bridging) is designed specifically for people with any previous degree (even in Arts or Business) who want to switch to Psychology. It is 100% online and provides a clear pathway to registration without starting a second bachelor's degree from scratch. 

• The green pivot: For those wanting to leave a net-positive legacy, the Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management takes only eight months and is specially designed for newcomers from different backgrounds who want to move into sustainability leadership. 

• The micro-pivot (while you explore your options): If you want to stay in your area of knowledge but want to position yourself for more leadership opportunities, UNSW Short Courses are worth investigating. These are often two-day intensives or stackable credentials that signal you’re interested in leadership roles without the time commitment of a full MBA.

Step 4: Financial support and scholarships for mature students

At this age, you probably have more financial responsibilities than a school leaver. But don’t let a mortgage prevent you from starting a new career. Scholarships are available to older students, such as the Joan Bielski Scholarship, which awards up to $25k to mature-age women returning to study.

There are also Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) available for many degrees, although places are limited and based on merit. Everyone who applies for a CSP-available degree (and there are many) is automatically considered for this support. If you get a CSP, you will also receive HECS-HELP, which is a loan from the Australian Government that you can use to pay your student contribution amount. 

Wondering if it's 'too late' to change direction?

Peggie says there’s a bigger question to consider:

“It’s never about age – it’s about imagining where you want to be 10 years from now. Many people feel they don’t have enough savings or confidence to take risks, but for me the real question was: What kind of life do I want to create? What makes me wake up feeling fulfilled?”

“Changing direction requires clarity on what truly matters. Once I understood that, the decision became easier."