Aeroplanes, journalism and turning back the boats — these industries have the most preferred bosses, a new study has found.

Virgin Australia has topped the list of the best Australian companies to work for, followed by the ABC and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

More than 50 per cent of respondents wanted to work for the airline, while 49 per cent said they’d be happy to work for the national broadcaster, recruitment agency Randstad reported.

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The Department of Defence was the first choice of men. Photo: Getty

Helping its employees “develop to their full potential” was the explanation given for the stellar result by Virgin Australia executive Geraldine Chin Moody.

“Our people get opportunities to be involved in our transformational projects and build their skills internally,” Ms Moody said.

Despite falling iron ore prices and a shrinking mining sector, 40 per cent said they would also work for mining company BHP.

The top 10 employer list also included the Seven Network, Qantas, Nestle, Wesfarmers, Coca-Cola Amatil, the Department of Defence and the Department of Health.

The survey ranked companies based on markers like career progression, work-life balance, innovation and competitive salaries.

Responses varied slightly between men and women. Men listed the Department of Defence as their dream employer, while women said they wanted to work for the ABC.

But both genders agreed the aviation sector was the best industry to work within.