Accredited online and on-campus courses from leading Australian universities, TAFEs and colleges
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About Business
You'll become
Average Salaries
Business workers may earn between $54,000 and $160,000 per year
Stand out in a competitive and rewarding business world by building in-demand skills studying a business course.
Carve out a place in the competitive Australian business landscape and position yourself for global career success by studying a business course.
More than two million businesses operate in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and the sector is growing – indicating its importance for the Australian economy. In competitive commercial works, businesses are urgently seeking skilled managers, leaders and administrators to strategically guide businesses to success. By studying a business course, you’ll build the critical and in-demand skills needed to step up.
A broad and exciting field, business generally means working in a range of operational, managerial and administrative roles in a variety of large or small businesses. In a business course, you’ll learn all aspects of business management, including strategic planning, 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.
You may study a business course at a range of different levels, including as a certificate or diploma course, as a bachelor’s degree, or as a master’s degree or post-graduate certificate. Opportunities also exist for people seeking to challenge themselves and advance our understanding of best business principles by undertaking a PhD.
After completing a business course, you may work in a range of leadership, management, administrative and operational roles, and may work as a business manager, general manager, team leader or operations manager. If you’re a natural leader and like solving problems, a career in business is for you.
What do business graduates do?
Graduates of business courses may seek employment in a wide variety of management roles, which means your day-to-day duties will vary, depending on the role you take on. However, your work will likely be focused on managing the operations of business, and will include tasks such as:
- Identifying and organising key organisational goals and strategic priorities;
- Developing plans, policies and procedures relating to the operation of the business;
- Monitoring and managing projects;
- Authorising the allocation and movement of resources, including financial and human resources;
- Managing and training staff;
- Conducting meetings;
- Preparing reports, submissions and notes;
- Conducting monitoring and evaluation activities of business projects and activities;
- Managing conflict;
- Representing the business or organisation in public;
- Ensuring the business’s ongoing compliance with relevant regulations; and
- Performing other general administrative tasks.
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 business 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.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
Business graduates are in demand in a range of different industries. After completing a business, course, you may work in a field like:
- Banking and finance
- Construction
- Education
- Engineering
- Government services
- Information technology
- Marketing and sales
- Media services
- Retail trade and hospitality
- Tourism and events management
After completing a business course, you may seek employment in a wide range of business administration and management roles, or start your own small business. Roles you may choose to take on after graduating may include working as a:
- Business Manager
- Sports Manager
- Sports Event Manager
- Sports Marketer
- Athlete Manager
- Sports Officer
- Sports Administrator
- Sports Researcher
- Business Management
- Business Administration
- Office Manager
- Office Administrator
- Executive Personal Assistant
- Project Administrator
- Receptionist
- Accounts Supervisor
- Administration Assistant
- Clerical Worker
- General Clerk
- Team Leader
- Business Development Manager
- Department Manager
- Project Consultant
- Business Coordinator
- Human Resources Officer
- Small Business Owner
- Management Consultant
- Sales Manager
- Senior Manager
- General Manager
- Executive Director
- Marketing Manager
- Chief Executive
- Managing Director
- Human Resources Manager
- IT Manager
- Financial Broker
- Economist
- Entrepreneur
- Startup Founder
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- Strategist
- CEO
- Financial Controller and Support Manager
- Sales Executive
- Intrapreneur
- Fundraising Manager
- Small Business Manager
- Product Manager
- Digital Marketing Coordinator
- Market Research Analyst
- Campaign Manager
- Digital Communications Professional
- Brand Activation Manager
- Content Strategist
- Social Media Engagement Coordinator
- Email Marketer
- Public Relations Manager
- Partnership Marketing Advisor
- Marketing Communications Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Project Manager
- Operations Manager
- Executive Officer
- Purchasing Manager
- Growth Specialist
- Business Administrator
- Finance Manager
- Account Executive
- Human Resources Director
- Business Consultant
- Strategic Advisor
- Program Manager
- Consultant
- Chief Operating Officer
- Administration Manager
- Project Assistant
- Program Coordinator
- Program Consultant
- New Business Start-Up
- Administration Officer
- Hotel Manager
- Hotel Front Office Attendant
- Hotel Service Supervisor
- Tourism Manager
- Hotel Supervisor
- Hospitality Operator
- Manager
- Head of Operations
- Head of Strategy
- Executive Manager
- Training Manager
- RTO Manager
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Is business right for you?
You’ll find working in business exciting and rewarding if you:
- Enjoy problem-solving
- Are a natural leader
- Have big ideas
- Are highly motivated
- Love working with people
- Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Are highly organised and efficient
- Are proactive and can work independently
- Can think strategically and exercise sound judgment
- Can remain calm under pressure
- Can speak confidently in public
- Enjoy fast-paced work
- Enjoy challenging yourself
- Want to make a difference
Job opportunities
The Australian Government’s Job Outlook predicts strong growth in job opportunities for business managers over the next decade, predicting the profession will grow to employ an additional 7,900 people by 2020. Currently employing approximately 51,000 people, the profession is considered large, and roles are available in most areas of Australia.
Opportunities are also available for business course graduates seeking to start their own small business. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that approximately 1.96 million small businesses operate in Australia, representing nearly 96 per cent of all businesses operating.
Average Salaries
According to PayScale, a general manager can expect to earn a salary between $54,000 and $160,000 per year, with an average annual salary of approximately $92,000. An operations manager can expect to earn between $35,000 and $90,000 per year, and entry-level managers may enjoy earning a competitive average salary of approximately $50,000 per year.
At the highest levels of business, 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 in addition to receiving a wage.