The glamour of a jet setting lifestyle has made working for Virgin airlines the most desired job in Australia . But a survey of workers has also revealed working for government departments - long considered an easy ride - are among the jobs people would most like to have . The Department of Immigration ranked third in the survey , while the Department of Defence and the Department of Health were also named in the top ten places Australians would like to work . Virgin , the second-largest airline in the country , was reportedly handed the accolade for its ‘ pleasant working atmosphere , a good work-life balance and strong management ’ . Richard Branson 's Virgin Airline is the place most Australians want to work for , according to a new survey . Desk jobs in government departments highly ranked in Australia ’ s Most Attractive Employer awards . More than 50 per cent of participants in a study of 12,000 appeared to want to work for boss Richard Branson . Coming second in the survey of Australia ’ s Most Attractive Employer is national public broadcaster the ABC – confirming a TV career is still high on the list of many people ’ s dream jobs . And named in third place Thursday was the Department of Immigration and Border Protection , headed up by Immigration Minister Peter Dutton . Other Australians named the ABC as the place they would most like to work , alongside journalist Leigh Sales . Fourth and fifth place at the Randstad Awards were also airline and TV jobs , with the Seven Network and Qantas named respectively . People were asked which companies they had heard of , just how much they would like to work there and why they would like to work there . Frank Ribuot , CEO of Randstad Australia , said : ‘ The Virgin brand is widely recognised around the world and by people from all walks of life . The Department of Health came in at number 10 in the survey of where most Australians want to work . The Department of Immigration , headed up by Peter Dutton ( right ) , came third . While other Aussies want to work Samantha Armytage at the Seven Network ( left ) ‘ For the past few years , Virgin Australia has been recognised as one of the best employers in Australia so it ’ s testament to the company ’ s continued investment towards building its employer brand that this year it has taken the highest accolade. ’ Geraldine Chin Moody , Group Executive , People , Culture and Sustainability Virgin Australia , said : ‘ Our people have been key to the successful transformation of the airline over the past few years , and this award is testament to their outstanding professionalism and dedication to excellence . ‘ Our focus is on supporting our team to actively manage their careers and develop to their full potential . Our people get opportunities to be involved in our transformational projects and build their skills internally. ’ Qantas was beaten by Virgin Australia as the top place to work but it still came in fifth place in the survey . In sixth place was multinational food and beverage company Nestle who have headoffice in Rhodes in NSW . In seventh place , Aussies would like a job at Coles or Kmart owners Wesfarmers . In eleventh place was a career with the Australian Federal Police .
50 per cent of Australians surveyed said they 'd like to work for Virgin . It beat Qantas , which was in fifth place , as the most desired company . Coming second in the survey was national public broadcaster the ABC . But four jobs in the top ten list were in government departments .