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About Business Administration
You'll become
Average Salaries
Business Administration workers may earn between $35,000 and $90,000 per year
Play a role in shaping the way the world works and build in-demand professional skills by studying a business administration course.
A broad and diverse field, business administration refers generally to the oversight of business operations – which can include a variety of roles in a range of different industries. In a business administration course, you could learn all aspects of business, including strategic planning and goal-setting, organising and resource management, decision-making and leadership, and managing people and projects. Ultimately, you’ll build a diverse professional skillset that can translate to roles not only in the private sector, but in the public and not-for-profit sector, too.
In an increasingly regulated world, skilled, professional leaders capable of steering businesses competently are in high demand. With a qualification in business administration, you’ll establish yourself and build critical skills for career success.
You can choose to study a range of business administration courses, ranging from online short courses, through Certificate III and IV courses, to a bachelor’s degree, or the flagship Master of Business Administration and other higher-level degrees.
Career opportunities for business administration course graduates are varied and may include work in leadership, team management and project management roles across all industries. You may also choose to complement your study with a specialisation, in order to further your career prospects.
If you’re a natural leader, have a head for decisions, or are interested in organising and management, a career in business administration could be for you.
What do business administration graduates do?
The day-to-day tasks performed by business administration course graduates vary depending on industry, but will usually relate to people, project or organisational management. Tasks may include workshopping key goals and priorities, writing plans, supervising and coaching staff members, monitoring project timelines and tasks, authorising materials and resources for projects, consulting with staff, conducting meetings, preparing reports, conducting monitoring and evaluations, representing the business or organisation publically, ensuring legislative and regulative compliance by the business or organisation, and liaising between staff and departments.
In a not-for-profit or smaller organisation, you may find yourself taking on more varied tasks, including responsibilities relating to human resources, staff recruitment and inductions, financial management and reporting, or marketing, sales and communications.
Depending on the level of your qualification, you may perform a range of senior management tasks, including developing a strategic or organisational plan, managing high-level projects, and making key strategic decisions. You may answer to a board or directors or shareholders, and be responsible for ensuring your organisation’s continued compliance with its strategic directives.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
Roles filled by business course graduates may include positions such as:
- Team leader
- Team coordinator
- Operations manager
- Human resources manager
- Strategic advisor
- Project manager
- Project administrator
- Managing director
- Accounts supervisor
- Chief of staff
- Office administrator
Further study in an additional field will specialise your skillset and direct your career path. For example, undertaking studies in medical science or public health will have you well-positioned to work in health administration after graduating.
Graduates of business administration courses may work in a wide variety of industries, including:
- Office Administrator
- Executive Personal Assistant
- Secretary
- Project Administrator
- Administrative Assistant
- Receptionist
- Project Assistant
- Sales Agent
- Information Desk Clerk
- Clerical Worker
- Medical Receptionist
- Medical Records Clerk
- Marketing Manager
- General Manager
- Chief Executive
- Managing Director
- Human Resources Manager
- Management Consultant
- IT Manager
- Senior Manager
- Team Leader
- Business Systems Analyst
- Project Support Officer
- Program Manager
- Consultant
- Financial Planner
- Administration Manager
- Business Strategist
- Small Business Owner
- Project Manager
- Small Business Manager
- Account Executive
- Operations Manager
- Entrepreneur
- Sales Team Manager
- Strategic Advisor
- CEO
- Administration Assistant
- Personal Assistant
- Office Junior
- Accounts Payable Clerk
- Accounts Receivable Clerk
- Office Manager
- Program Administrator
- Accounts Supervisor
- General Office Manager
- Senior Executive Assistant
- Senior Administration Officer/Manager
- Administration Coordinator
- Payroll Supervisor
- Business Manager
- Administrative Coordinator
- Administrative/Office Manager
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- Chief Operating Officer
- Chief Administrative Officer
- International Business Manager
- International Consultant
- Strategic Planner
- Health Administrator
- Health Policy Advisor
- Strategist
- Operations Officer
- Project Team Leader
- Project Leader
- Risk Manager
- Administration Supervisor
- Business Development Manager
- Executive Officer
- HR Advisor
- HR Officer
- Manager of People and Culture
- Business coach
- Head of Strategy
- Head of Accounts Management
- Accountant
- Human Resources Director
- Executive Assistant
- Head of People and Culture
- National Human Resource Manager
- Executive Manager
- Director Manager
- Head of Business Unit
- Senior Executive Officer
- Safety Manager
- Safety Officer
- Work Health and Safety Advisor
- Workplace WHS Coordinator
- Manager
- Supervisor
- Project Coordinator
- Department Head
- Business Unit Leader
- HR Administrator
- HR Coordinator
- Safety Advisor
- Safety Coordinator
- Accounts Clerk
- Data Entry Operator
- Chief Information Officer (CIO)
- Finance Manager
- Analyst
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Is business administration right for you?
You’ll thrive working in business administration if you:
- Are highly motivated
- Have good time management and organisational skills
- Are a creative thinker
- Thrive in fast-pace environments
- Can work well independently
- Have strong communication and interpersonal skills
Job opportunities
Business administration course graduates work in a broad range of roles, meaning a variety of job prospects are available to people with business qualifications.
The Australian Government’s Job Outlook predicts strong growth in roles for project and program operators holding bachelor’s degrees in business administration, with up to 50,000 new jobs becoming available in the next five years. Over 80 per cent of employees in these roles work full-time, and Job Outlook states roles are available in many areas across Australia.
Average Salaries
According to PayScale, an operations manager can earn between $35,000 and $90,000 per year, depending on experience. Roles are available at the entry level, with new workers expecting to earn below $50,000 per year, which rises positively with experience. Workers may remain in manager-level roles for up to 20 years, according to PayScale, and can progress to roles as directors.
At the highest levels of business administration, chief executive officers and chief financial officers can take home base salaries in excess of $300,000, according to Job Outlook, and may also hold stock in a company or share profits with shareholders
Industry Bodies
- Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Small Business Association of Australia
- Business Council of Australia
- Indigenous Business Australia
- Family Business Australia