- Writer
- Journalist
- Copywriter
- Author
- Playwright
- Screenwriter
Do you have a flair for creating fun content? Do you consider yourself to be a master wordsmith? Do you enjoy writing for entertainment? Then a career in creative writing may be for you. Creative Writing courses can help push creative boundaries, enhance writing careers and extend writing abilities across a range of writing forms. Creative writing courses will cover a range of exciting subjects, possibly including: storytelling, the exploration of genres, fiction writing, script writing, creative non-fiction, poetry, freelancing, the editing process, and the general ideas and practices behind creative writing.
Turn your curiosities, creative ideas and love of words into an enriching career path or vocation by studying a creative writing course.
Find your voice, explore your ideas, develop practical writing skills and build a rich and diverse understanding of the factors that affect our language-driven culture in one of the many creative writing courses offered in Australia.
While the literature industry is facing unique challenges and opportunities in an increasingly digital world, Australian Council of the Arts-commissioned research states that nearly 7 in 10 Australians continue to read regularly for pleasure, and Australia’s publishers continue to support high-quality creative writing, non-fiction writing, poetry and journalism. With a creative writing qualification, you can equip yourself with the technical knowledge, practical skills and industry context required to thrive in the new world of publishing.
With a creative writing qualification, you may choose to pursue a career as an author, screenwriter or poet, or work in editing, manuscript evaluation, publishing, or in corporate communications or marketing. Qualifications are available from short courses through to bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and the Doctorate of Philosophy.
What do creative writing graduates do?
The tasks undertaken by creative writing course graduates vary depending on industry and role but are all related to writing and communication.
As an author, playwright or poet, you may work independently to draft chapters or scenes, conduct research and interviews, review texts and other information sources; work with an editor or literary agent to edit text, negotiate contracts or royalties with agents; and direct or consult to the production of performed work. You may also undertake other work related to advancing your field, including being involved in tutoring, teaching, and coaching other writers; reviewing and evaluating manuscripts, and speaking at events and in the media.
You may also choose to seek employment in professional writing and editing, where you may work as a freelance writer or for a content agency. In a role like this, you might write and edit copy, conduct market and product research, and conduct interviews. The creative skills built in a creative writing course are transferrable to other writing roles.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
The creative writing field is broad .... you can go as far as your imagination will take you.
Roles you may take on after completing a creative writing course may include work as a:
You’ll enjoy studying creative writing if you:
- Love words
- Are a creative thinker
- Can work independently
- Are curious about the world
- Are disciplined
- Have excellent writing and communication skills
- Can work well under pressure
Job opportunities
While the creative writing industry in Australia is small, with the Australian Government’s Job Outlook reporting fewer than 10,000 people employed in the industry, it is expected to grow in the next five years, and prospects for writers are expanding. While growth in job opportunities will be modest, Job Outlook reports vacancies will open in the next five years at a rate double that of roles opening now.
Opportunities for creative writing course graduates also exist in the media, education and corporate communications sectors.
Average Salaries
PayScale reports that writers may earn anywhere between $22,000 and $90,000 per year, depending on the nature of their role and the type of employment. 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.
Job Outlook notes that only 55 per cent of people will creative writing qualifications are employed in full-time work, and as a result, graduates of creative writing courses can expect to undertake contract and freelance work for hourly or set rates.
Learn how to become a
Industry Bodies
- Australian Society of Authors
- Australian Publishers Association
- First Nations Australia Writers’ Network
- Writers WA
- Writers NSW
- Writers Victoria
- Tasmanian Writers’ Centre
- SA Writers Centre
- Queensland Writers Centre
- NT Writers’ Centre