Change the game. Become an actuary.
See what actuaries actually do, hear from the ones already changing the game, and find out how to start — all on one page. Your story starts now, not after graduation.
The profession solving tomorrow's biggest questions
What exactly is an actuary?
What do they do?
Ever wondered how businesses make big calls about a future no one can predict? That’s the actuary’s job. They use data and maths to size up risk and opportunity, then help businesses, communities and governments plan for what’s next — from retirement savings and climate change to how AI gets used responsibly.
What jobs can actuaries have?
There are many ways to be an actuary. Most start out solving real, technical problems — pricing, risk modelling, data science — across insurance, banking, health, retail, telcos, climate and AI. From there, the path can lead anywhere: senior technical expert, CFO, CTO, Chief AI Officer, even CEO.
What do others think?
Rated the most trusted profession in financial services
When Australians were asked to rate 31 professions on honesty and ethics, actuaries came out on top of every single financial services profession — beating accountants, bank managers and stockbrokers.
Source: Roy Morgan 2025 Image of Professions Survey, commissioned by the Actuaries Institute.
The opportunity
One qualification. Doors everywhere.
General insurance
Price the cover and reserve for the unexpected — protecting people and businesses when disaster strikes.
Life insurance
Design products that protect what matters most — then price them to last and manage the capital that backs them for decades.
Superannuation
Help fund Australians’ retirements — modelling life expectancy, investment returns and the policies that shape your super.
Health
Price and reserve for health insurance, and help make healthcare actually work better for the people who need it.
AI & data science
Shape how AI is used — personalising products, automating processes, pioneering pricing strategies and building the governance that keeps it responsible.
Climate & sustainability
Help insurers, banks and governments plan for climate risk — energy markets, extreme weather, the full picture.
Banking & investment
Manage risk and capital behind the money — portfolios, derivatives, structured securities and more.
Consulting & government
Advise governments and businesses on risk and strategy — from Medicare costings to major corporate decisions, in a firm or solo.
Get employed
Curious what these careers actually look like right now?
Our Jobs Board connects actuaries with top employers.
Meet the Game Changers.
Real actuaries, real careers — how they started, and where it’s taken them.
The home of actuarial qualifications in Australia.
A clear path. Three steps.
Foundation Program
Your accredited university degree. Most students reading this are already here. If not, sit the Foundation Program exams.
Actuary Program
Join the Institute and study towards your Associate (AIAA) designation post-degree — while you're in the workplace, gaining real professional experience.
Fellowship Program
Complete your Fellow (FIAA) designation while working, and step into the senior roles, titles and salaries that come with it.
Not this path? There’s more than one way in.
High schooler, career-switcher, studying something else — find yours.
As an actuary, you’ll safeguard communities, drive industries forward, receive a competitive salary and be globally recognised. Check out the top six reasons why you should become an actuary.
Start your journey by enrolling in an actuarial degree at an accredited university . You should have taken specialist or extension maths in high school, as some universities require these subjects for admission. Communication in business is vital, so invest time in your English studies. At university, you’ll study all the subjects that make up the Foundation Program, and two subjects from the Actuary Program. This will take you 3-5 years of full-time study.
As part of your accredited degree, complete the Institute’s Foundation Program and two Actuary Program subjects. Kick-start your career by becoming a University Subscriber — your first step into the actuarial world. Start to complete internships and apply for grad roles.
Yes. If you did maths, finance, economics or business at university, your subjects may have covered some of the content from an actuarial degree. You can apply to have this study recognised by the Institute via allied study ‘exemptions’ . As a member, you can complete the remaining subjects in our Foundation Program through the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries UK exams.
You don’t need a degree, or exemptions, to get started though. You can enrol in the Foundation Program regardless of your study background and work through the subjects from the beginning.
Lots of actuaries started in a different degree. If your university is one of our accredited universities , you may be able to add or switch into actuarial studies. Otherwise, explore your other options for completing the Foundation Program .
No need to redo a degree. You can start the Foundation Program now, and your previous study may reduce what you need to complete. Find out how the Foundation Program works.
If you’ve completed actuarial studies in another country and had your subjects recognised by an actuarial professional body, you can apply for a credit transfer to carry that recognition across to your qualification with us. Find out how credit transfers work.
The campaign
Real Students. Real Actuaries. Just Like You.
No stock photos — just the people already living the profession.
Change the game for your career. Sign up now!
Ready to explore the actuarial profession for yourself? Become a University Subscriber and start connecting with the actuarial community while you study — it’s completely free. You’ll get access to free Insight events, networking opportunities and Young Actuaries Program events, plus discounted pricing on major events. You’ll also stay up to date with what’s happening across the profession, with fortnightly Actuaries Digital and quarterly education newsletters delivered straight to your inbox.
