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About Communications
You'll become
Average Salaries
Communications workers may earn between $53,000 and $135,000 per year
Shape the way we engage with our world and build in-demand skills for an emerging industry by studying a communications course.
Develop the knowledge and critical creative skills needed to shape the way we see the world, and channel your natural talent for engaging with people into a rewarding and exciting new career. Start now by studying a communications course.
By studying a communications course, you’ll build the essential skills required to stand out professionally in the competitive communications sector, and will learn effective communications techniques for a wide variety of businesses and organisations across the global marketplace.
You’ll learn how to communicate effectively using words, sound and visuals to a diverse range of audiences, and build the contextual knowledge of global media issues and technologies required to inform your production. You’ll learn about the factors influencing media and content production, how media influences society, and about the future of media production and communications in a competitive, digital new world.
You may study communications as a certificate or diploma course, or as part of a bachelor’s or master’s degree. After completing a communications course, you may seek employment in a range of roles in the media, communications and advertising sectors, including working in corporate, government or not-for-profit communications, helping to develop communications policies and strategies, or in a creative advertising, marketing or content production role.
If you love connecting with people and have a head full of ideas, working in communications is a unique opportunity to turn your talents into a rewarding and exciting new career.
What do communications graduates do?
Depending on your interests, you may pursue a career in communications, media, marketing, or advertising after completing a communications course, and may take on a wide variety of information management and communications roles after completing your course.
If you choose to work as a communications manager after completing a communications course, you’ll likely be responsible for designing and implementing communications strategies and policies, managing the production of content that complies with communications guidelines, 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 work as a communications officer, marketing assistant or public relations coordinator, you’ll likely be responsible for producing content, including press releases, website and advertising copy, photos and graphics, printed collateral, merchandise, and other relevant materials. You may also be responsible for coordinating and managing social media platforms and other online tools like blogs and web communities.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
Completing a communications course will equip you with the skills and experience to work in a range of roles in the communications, public relations, media and marketing industries. You may choose to work in an advertising or media firm, or seek employment in a communications role working within a company, non-government organisation, or government department.
Roles you may take on after completing a communications course include:
- Marketing Coordinator
- Market Researcher
- Marketing Officer
- Public Relations Officer
- Direct Marketing Officer
- Market Research Assistant
- Event Coordinator
- Brand Manager
- Social Media Manager
- Marketing Team Leader
- Product Manager
- Sales Manager
- Communications Officer
- Media Advisor
- Digital and Social Media Manager
- Online Editor
- Marketing Assistant
- Marketing Manager
- Copywriter
- Community Manager
- Communications Manager
- Advertising Manager
- Consumer Behaviour Analyst
- Market Analyst
- Digital Media Coordinator
- Social Media Coordinator
- Digital Strategist
- Journalist
- Editor
- Reporter
- Publisher
- Producer
- Sub-editor
- Media Researcher
- Media Strategist
- Communications Coordinator
- Corporate Communications Executive
- Public Relations Consultant
- Freelance Writer
- Event Manager
- Marketing Communications Consultant
- Content Manager
- view all
Is communications right for you?
You’ll thrive in a communications role if you:
- Love working with people
- Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Are organised and efficient
- Are curious
- Can work well independently
- Are self-directed and focused
- Are patient and empathetic
- Are curious and resilient
- Like problem-solving
- Are a confident public speaker
- Enjoy fast-paced and varied work
- Love connecting people
- Enjoy writing and communicating
Job opportunities
The Australian Government’s Job Outlook states that communications 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.
Additionally, after completing a communications course, you’ll be qualified to work in a variety of roles in the media, marketing and advertising sectors, and will enjoy the opportunity to seek employed across a range of growing industries.
Average Salaries
PayScale offers a range of salary predictions for difference communications roles. If you choose to pursue employment as a communications officer or communications coordinator, you can expect to earn an average salary between $68,000 and $69,000 per year. If you choose to work in public relations, you can expect to earn an average annual salary of approximately $69,000.
If you work as a communications manager or advisor, you can expect to earn on average between $53,000 and $135,000 per year, with an annual average salary of approximately $85,000. According to PayScale, prior experience has the greatest impact on earning capacity, with approximately 20 per cent of managers identifying experience as a significant factor influencing their salaries.