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About Government
You'll become
Average Salaries
Government workers may earn between $54,000 and $160,000 per year
You’ve got a head for details and are skilled in organisation. Now, turn your natural talents into a rewarding new career by studying a government course.
You’re people-focused, a great communicator, and know how to manage time and plans effectively. Start an exciting and rewarding new career and contributing to the way our society works by studying a government course.
Studying a government course will set you on a path to working in the public service. One of Australia’s largest employers, the public service employs approximately 160,000 people in 120 organisations both in Australia and overseas, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. With a significant pool of varied roles available for skilled professionals, studying a government course will equip you with the skills to stand out in a competitive workplace environment, and start an exciting new career with global prospects.
By studying a governance course, you’ll build the essential skills, knowledge and abilities required to work in the public service. Covering leadership, team management, conflict management and statutory compliance, a government course will equip you will a broad range of applicable skills suited to all areas of public service.
If you’re seeking an exciting, flexible and varied career working with people, and are curious about the way our society works and the role you can play in is governance, a government course is for you.
You may study a government course at a range of different levels, including as a certificate or diploma course, as graduate certificate or graduate diploma, or as part of a bachelor’s or master’s degree. After studying a government course, you’ll be qualified to work in a range of roles in the public service, including working as an administrator, manager, policy officer or project manager.
If you thrive working with people, enjoy fast-paced environments and want to use your skills to help solve problems and fight for people’s rights, consider a switch to the dynamic and challenging world of law.
What do government graduates do?
Graduates of government courses may seek employment in a wide variety of roles across a range of government departments, 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 projects or teams, and will include tasks such as:
- Identifying and organising key government goals and strategic priorities;
- Developing plans, policies and procedures relating to the operation and objectives of the department;
- 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 department objectives;
- Assessing changing situations, managing conflict and responding accordingly;
- Conducting meetings;
- Preparing reports, submissions and notes;
- Conducting monitoring and evaluation activities of projects and activities;
- Representing the department in public;
- Ensuring the government’s ongoing compliance with relevant regulations; and
- Liaising between different departments and teams within a government department.
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
You may choose to work in a government department or government agency, and may pursue employment in an area such as:
- Law
- Agriculture
- Communications and arts
- Defence
- Education and training
- Finance
- Foreign affairs and trade
- Health
- Human services
- Immigration
- Infrastructure
- Environment and energy
- Veteran’s affairs
After completing a government course, you may also choose to seek employment as a:
- Assistant Community Services Worker
- Case Manager
- Case Coordinator
- Care Manager
- Care Coordinator
- Community Development Officer
- Community Worker
- Youth Worker
- Community Services Manager
- Centre Manager
- Community Services Coordinator
- Community Liaison
- Aged Care Worker
- Indigenous Community Liaison Officer
- Community Development Youth Worker
- Indigenous Youth Worker
- Policy and Project Officer
- Public Policy Researcher
- Public Policy Adviser
- Research Officer
- Social Policy Researcher
- Government Services
- Government Program Consultant
- Research Assistant
- Mental Health Support Worker
- Family Support Worker
- Residential Care Officer
- Welfare Worker
- Team Leader or Manager Community Services
- Policy Analyst
- Cyber Security Officer
- Risk Adviser
- Data and Cyber Security lead
- Enterprise Risk Officer
- Project Manager
- Health Promotion Officer
- Health Researcher
- Health Policy Advisor
- Public Health Advisor
- Program Manager
- Community Health Worker
- Practice Manager
- Community Wellness Officer
- Nurse Unit Manager
- Nurse Manager
- Occupational Health Professional
- Health Program Manager
- Health Services Officer
- Health Promotion Practitioner
- Health Development Officer
- Health Administrator
- Allied Health Worker
- Policy Research Officer
- Epidemiologist
- Strategic Planner
- Urban Planner
- Town Planner
- Sustainability Consultant
- Planning Consultant
- Senior Planner
- Urban Design Consultant
- Urban Design Director
- Health Promoter
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Is government right for you?
You’ll find working in the public sector rewarding if you:
- Love working with people
- Are highly organised
- Have strong written communication skills
- Can pay attention to detail
- Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Have excellent time management and organisational skills
- Enjoy problem-solving
- Are highly motivated
- Can think strategically and exercise sound judgment
- Can make decisions
- Can work well in a team
- Are flexible
- Want a job where you can make a difference
Job opportunities
The Australian Government’s Job Outlook predicts strong growth in job opportunities for 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 senior managers 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.
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.