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About Pathology
You'll become
Average Salaries
Pathology workers may earn between $60,000 and $90,000 per year
Start a rewarding new career investigating the origins, causes and nature of disease by studying a pathology course or qualification.
With a growing population placing increasing pressure on Australia’s healthcare system, our need for skilled medical professionals is greater than ever. With a qualification in pathology, you’ll work closely with medical professionals to understand and analyse tissue, organ and fluid samples – helping to deepen our medical knowledge by decoding and diagnosing diseases.
You may choose to pursue a qualification in general pathology, or pursue further study into one of six common specialisations: anatomical pathology, clinical pathology, chemical pathology, genetic pathology, haematology, or immunology.
You can choose to study a range of pathology courses ranging from a Certificate III through to a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or a doctorate of philosophy.
Career opportunities for pathology graduates can include work as a: pathology assistant, laboratory assistant, or biotechnician. With a qualification in medicine and further postgraduate study in pathology, you may also work as qualified pathologist.
What do pathology graduates do?
Pathologists study diseases at the molecular level, analysing complex samples of tissue, organ and fluid to understand diseases and solve the problems they cause.
A qualified pathologist is a person who has completed a medical degree and several years of specialised training in a hospital pathology department. But numerous other opportunities exist for graduates of other pathology qualifications.
Usually, pathology graduates analyse samples in laboratories, including diagnostic laboratories in hospitals and private pathology companies, research laboratories in universities, and biotechnology laboratories. Pathology study also opens pathways to working in the pharmaceutical, scientific equipment and education industries.
You may choose to work in general pathology, or specialise with further study into anatomical pathology, clinical pathology, chemical pathology, genetic pathology, haematology, or immunology.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
General pathology practise involves analysing and examining samples to understand how the body responds to and repairs injury. In a laboratory role, you may be responsible for examining samples under a microscope, conducting a range of tests, analysing data and managing the handling and transport of samples.
If you specialise through your studies, or are trained in a specialised laboratory, you may perform different and more specific pathology work in one of the following areas:
- Anatomical pathology: studying disease and illness through microscopic analysis of cell appearance and structure
- Clinical pathology: analysing blood, urine and tissue to provide information related specifically to blood
- Chemical pathology: examining the biochemistry of diseases, including analysing levels of proteins, hormones and electrolytes
- Genetic pathology: analysing chromosomal markers and mutations using DNA technology
- Hematology: analysing blood samples for blood disorders and diseases and managing blood products
- Immunology: understanding and testing for allergies and auto-immune diseases
- Microbiology: examining diseases caused by pathogenic agents including bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi
Graduates of pathology courses usually pursue employment in laboratories, and may work as a:
Is pathology right for you?
You’ll find pathology stimulating and enjoyable if you:
- Are curious
- Enjoy detailed work
- Have an ability to focus
- Can work independently
- Like problem-solving
- Enjoy using your hands
- Can analyse information
- Like thinking critically
- Want to work in a scientific or medical environment
- Enjoy fast-paced and focused work
Job opportunities
Strong demand exists for qualified pathology professionals as Australia’s healthcare industry responds to a growing and ageing population. Laboratories and private diagnostic firms hire regularly for laboratory assistants, and workers report remaining in stable roles for up to 20 years, according to PayScale.
Average Salaries
According to PayScale, a laboratory technician or assistant can expect to earn approximately $45,000 per year, or between $22 and $28 per hour. A senior technician or laboratory manager may earn between $60,000 and $90,000, depending on experience. A qualified medical graduate with a specialisation in pathology may earn over $200,000 per year.
Industry Bodies
- National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council
- Pathology Australia