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About Arts & Humanities
You'll become
Average Salaries
Arts & Humanities workers may earn between $43,000 and $75,000 per year
Engage with people and help shape the way we understand our world. Start by studying an exciting arts and humanities course.
Develop the knowledge, insights and critical thinking skills needed to shape the way we see and engage with the world by studying an arts and humanities course.
A broad, diverse and vital field, the arts and humanities sector in Australia employs thousands of Australia and enriches the lives of all members of society. If you’re seeking a rewarding and challenging career with the potential to make a real contribution to the way society sees itself, start by studying an arts and humanities course.
You may study an arts and humanities course in a range of different fields, including working in communications and writing; social science and history; politics; counselling; or social work and social services. Whatever you study, you’ll build the essential skills required to stand out professionally in the competitive humanities sector, and will position yourself to succeed on a global stage.
You may study arts and humanities as a certificate or diploma course, as part of a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or as a post-graduate certificate or diploma. After completing an arts and humanities course, you may seek employment in a range of roles in the media, communications, social sciences or counselling sectors, including working in art and design, public relations, anthropology, social and community services, or in behavioural science.
If you love connecting with people and have a head full of ideas, working in the arts and humanities sector is a unique opportunity to turn your talents into a rewarding and exciting new career and take your first step towards a role where you can make a difference.
What do arts & humanities graduates do?
You may study arts and humanities in a range of different fields, and your day-to-day tasks will depend on the area in which you choose to work.
You may choose to work in communications, media or writing. In this sector, you may be responsible for tasks including designing and implementing communications strategies and policies, managing content production, producing content including press releases, website and advertising copy, photos and graphics and merchandise and managing a creative team.
If you choose to work as a public relations manager, you’ll likely be responsible for designing and developing a public relations strategy, overseeing the development of pitches, audiences and relevant materials such as photographs and press releases, and maintaining relationships with journalists and talent managers.
If you choose to work in social work or counselling, you’ll likely meet with clients, examine and record their information, provide resources and information to stakeholders, develop rehabilitation plans, and assist clients with treatment and employment options, including referring clients to drug, alcohol, housing and relationship support services.
If you choose to work in social and cultural policy development and analysis, you may perform tasks including collating and analysing historical data; organising, authenticating, evaluating and interpreting historical, political, social, anthropological and linguistic information; and undertaking historical and cultural research into human activity, and preparing and presenting research findings.
You may also choose to undertake research and work as a teacher or academic in your chosen field.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
- Policy Analyst
- Project Manager
- Public Policy Adviser
- International Development Professional
- Social Policy Researcher
- Project Team Leader
- Humanitarian Aid Worker
- International Consultant
- Overseas Aid Worker
- Policy and Project Officer
- Program Coordinator
- Program Leader
- Environmental Researcher
- Social Justice Researcher
- Research Officer
- Health Researcher
- Social Policy Maker
- Science Writer
- Health Policy and Advocacy Manager
- Health Policy Adviser
- Marriage Celebrant
- Civil Celebrant
- view all
Is arts & humanities right for you?
You’ll find studying arts and humanities rewarding and enjoyable if you:
- Are empathetic
- Have excellent listening skills
- Are curious about the world
- Are highly organised
- Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Want to help people in your work
- Have excellent administrative skills
- Can manage multiple pieces of information at once
- Like solving problems
- Have strong time management skills
- Are patient
- Are resilient
- Care deeply about others’ well-being
- Want a career where you can make a difference
Job opportunities
The Australian Government’s Job Outlook reports employment opportunities for a range of arts and humanities roles.
You may choose to work in communications, which is a large and growing sector in Australia. Currently employing approximately 20,700 people as communications officers and coordinators, the sector is expected to expand to employ an additional 1,500 people by 2020, and is expected to continue growing strongly for the next decade.
You may choose to work in writing or journalism. Job Outlook reports that the writing sector in Australia has been growing moderately for the past decade, and expects job opportunities in the sector to continue expanding. Currently employing approximately 27,500 people, the sector will likely expand to employ approximately 30,300 people by 2020.
Job Outlook predicts similar growth for the creative writing sector, reporting that although fewer than 10,000 people are employed in the field, new job openings are expected to double by 2020.
You may also choose to work in counselling or social work. Currently, approximately 20,700 people are employed as counsellors in Australia, and Job Outlook reports this will increase to approximately 25,500 people by 2020.
Average Salaries
PayScale offers a range of salary predictions for difference arts and humanities roles.
If you choose to pursue employment as a communications officer or communications manager, you can expect to earn an average salary between $68,000 and $135,000 per year. If you choose to work in public relations, you can expect to earn an average annual salary of approximately $69,000.
A content writer or copywriter may earn an average salary of $47,000 per year, an editor may receive an average salary between $42,000 and $60,000 per year, depending on experience, and a creative writer may earn approximately $39,000 per year, according to PayScale.
If you choose to work as a counsellor, coach or social worker, you can expect to earn a salary approximately between $43,000 and $75,000 per year, with an average annual salary of approximately $66,000.