Is your job attractive to the average Australian? A new survey of around 10,000 people can now tell you, and unless you’re in the aviation world, your job ain’t so hot.

Turns out, most Aussies want a job with an airline or the government, the study found, with more than half wishing they worked for Virgin Australia, and slightly less than half picking Qantas as their preferred employer.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection was interestingly another top choice, sliding into the top 20, along with a range of other government branches like health, defence and state government.

In our own industry, Channel Seven came in fourth place, with ABC trailing close behind in fifth spot. Brands like Nestle, Mondelez and Coca-Cola also cracked the top 20.

The research showed the majority of Australians (84 per cent) consider travelling for work a huge bonus, but the key factors Aussies want in a workplace are a good starting salary, nice working environment, work-life balance and job security.

Chief executive officer of Randstad Australia and New Zealand, which commissioned the research, Frank Ribuot, said aviation was a top pick due to it being seen as an interesting industry with a pleasant atmosphere and good training opportunities.

“The sector is also rated highly for strong management, work-life balance, being environmentally and socially aware, as well as for offering career progression opportunities and excellent salary and employee benefits. It is perceived to have more attractive attributes than any other sector,” he said.

“Many Australians consider the opportunity to travel as part of their job a tremendous benefit alongside their salary,” he added.

A total of 38 per cent of people chose companies that produced consumer goods.

“Well-known consumer brands are good at articulating and offering strong employer value propositions– Nestle, Wesfarmers and Coca-Cola Amatil are perfect examples,” Ribuot said.

Enough nattering though, here’s the 20 hottest Aussie employers:

1. Virgin Australia
2. Qantas
3. BAE Systems
4. Seven Network
5. Australian Broadcasting Corporation
6. GHD Engineering
7. Nestle
8. Department of Immigration and Border Protection
9. Wesfarmers (Coles, Kmart, Target and Bunnings)
10. National Disability Insurance Agency
11. Department of Health
12. Department of Defence
13. Australian Federal Police
14. Mondelez (Cadbury, Vegemite, Philadelphia)
15. Coca-Cola Amatil
16. Victorian State Government
17. Queensland Government
18. Computershare
19. NSW Government
20. Flight Centre