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About Business Management
You'll become
Average Salaries
Business Management workers may earn between $54,000 and $16,000 per year
Take a leading role in shaping the way the world does business and build in-demand professional skills by studying a business management course.
Build the competitive skills and critical personal insights required to succeed in the competitive modern business world by studying a business management course.
A broad and dynamic field, business management refers generally to the oversight of business operations, including strategic planning, operational management, and general business leadership. In a business management course, you’ll learn the fundamental knowledge, personal abilities and practical skills required to succeed in a range of business leadership, management and administrative roles, in both local and international businesses and enterprises.
In a business management course, you’ll learn all aspects of business administration, 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 in both the public and private sectors.
In an increasingly regulated world, skilled, professional leaders capable of steering businesses competently are in high demand. With a qualification in business management, you’ll establish yourself professionally and stand out in a competitive and changing market.
You can choose to study a business management course as a certificate course, as a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or as a post-graduate certificate or diploma.
Career opportunities for business management course graduates may include working in leadership, team management and project management roles across all industries.
If you’re a natural leader with a head for making decisions, a career in business management may be for you.
What do business management graduates do?
Graduates of business management courses usually work in leadership, management and operational roles in businesses across a range of industries. Your responsibilities will depend on your role and industry, but generally you can expect to perform tasks such as:
- Identifying and organising key organisational goals and strategic priorities;
- Developing plans, policies and procedures relating to the operation and objectives of the business;
- Monitoring and advising on projects;
- Authorising the allocation and movement of resources, including financial and human resources;
- Leading teams and training and managing staff members;
- Providing day-to-day guidance and direction to achieve organisational objectives;
- Assessing changing situations, managing conflict and responding accordingly;
- Conducting meetings;
- Preparing reports, submissions and notes;
- Conducting monitoring and evaluation activities of business projects and activities;
- Representing the business or organisation in public;
- Ensuring the business’s ongoing compliance with relevant regulations; and
- Liaising between different departments and teams within a business.
Depending on the level of your qualification, you may perform a range of senior leadership, including developing a strategic or organisational plan, managing high-level projects, and making key strategic decisions.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
Business management course graduates are in demand in a range of different industries. After completing a business management 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 management course, you may seek employment in a wide range of management, leadership and business administration roles, or start your own small business. Roles you may choose to take on after graduating may include working as a:
- Human Resources Manager
- Human Resources Administrator
- Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Officer
- Recruitment Consultant
- Learning and Development Officer
- General Manager
- Project Manager
- Management Consultant
- Risk Manager
- Brand Manager
- Media Planner
- Digital Marketer
- Market Analyst
- Marketing and Communications Officer
- Managing Director
- Program Manager
- Team Leader
- Consultant
- Office Manager
- Office Administrator
- Executive Personal Assistant
- Entrepreneur
- Product Manager
- Administration Manager
- Project Assistant
- Program Coordinator
- Executive Officer
- Program Consultant
- New Business Start-Up
- Administration Officer
- Marketing Assistant
- Marketing Manager
- Advertising or Marketing Professional
- Marketing Coordinator
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Marketing Research Assistant
- Advertising Sales Representative
- Marketing Communications Consultant
- Media and Communications Advisor
- Media Liaison Officer
- Digital Marketing and Communications Officer
- Advertising Manager
- Accountant
- Auditor
- Bookkeeper
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
- Financial Analyst
- Tax Specialist
- Finance Manager
- Business Manager
- Small Business Manager
- Business Systems Analyst
- Business Development Manager
- Taxation Advisor
- Taxation Compliance Officer
- Taxation Officer
- Event Manager
- Small Business Owner
- Property Manager
- Business Analyst
- Customer Relations Manager
- Procurement Manager
- Business Operations Manager
- Marketing Officer
- Manager
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Is business management right for you?
You’ll thrive working in business management if you:
- Are highly motivated
- Are a natural leader
- Have excellent time management and organisational skills
- Thrive working under pressure
- Are a creative thinker
- Enjoy working with teams
- Thrive in fast-pace environments
- Can work well independently
- Have strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Enjoy a challenge
- Like making decisions
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.
Similarly, job opportunities for chief executive officers and managing directors are also increasing, with Job Outlook reporting that approximately 67,700 people will be employed in those roles by 2020. Currently, approximately 58,900 people are employed as CEOs and managing directors in Australia.
Opportunities are also available for business management 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 currently 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.