UNSW plans to raise the minimum UAI for all engineering degrees to 85 next year I think. It's pretty fair considering how high the scaling is for the HSC. They should definitely lower scaling for HSC subjects, as some people think just assume your UAI is indicative of how well you will perform in Uni. [/end rant]
Anyway, if someone want's a well paying, interesting(?), career, I would suggest doing Mining Engineering, possibly a combined degree with Civil or Commerce (if you really wan't to). In no way is it an easy job/degree, but you will get paid well, and there are plenty of scholarships available, probably a very good ratio of students to scholarships (in UNSW).