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About Practice Management
You'll become
Average Salaries
Practice Management workers may earn between $48,000 and $62,000 per year
You’ve got an eye for detail and never forget a plan. Now, channel your organisational skills into a practical and rewarding career supporting people to succeed by studying a practice management course.
The Australian Government’s Department of Employment has identified the health industry as one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country, and expects 1.5 million new roles will be needed in the next decade. As our population ages we’re more dependent than ever on medical care, and skill practice managers will be required to support specialists and practitioners in every role. And you can take your place in this in-demand industry by studying a practice management course.
Practice managers work in a wide range of medical and allied health areas, providing overall direction and management to clinics, private practices, health facilities and hospitals. As a practice manager, you’ll work closely with a team to manage all aspects of the practice’s functioning – including budgeting, staff management, administrative operations and managing regulatory compliance – and play a critical role in assisting patients and practitioners to access health services in an efficient and effective way.
You can study a practice management course at a certificate and diploma level, and can specialise your study to reflect the type of practice you wish to work in. After completing your course, you can seek employment as a practice manager or administrator in medical, dental and other specialist clinics and hospitals.
What do practice management graduates do?
Graduates of practice management courses generally work as practice managers, and may seek employment in a range of private practice, clinic and hospital settings in various medical areas. If you work as a practice manager, you can expect to perform tasks like:
- Providing overall direction and management for the practice;
- Developing, implementing and monitoring procedures, policies and standards for medical, nursing, allied health and administrative staff;
- Coordinating and administering health and welfare programs and clinical services;
- Monitoring and evaluating resources devoted to health, welfare, recreation, housing, employment, training and other community facilities and services;
- Controlling administrative operations such as budget planning, report preparation, expenditure on supplies, equipment and services;
- Liaising with other health are welfare providers, boards and funding bodies to discuss areas of health and welfare service cooperation;
- Representing the practice at conventions, seminars and public hearings;
- Recruiting, inducting and managing staff; and
- Performing general administrative tasks.
Depending on the size of the practice you work for, you may be required to perform business management tasks or office management tasks in addition to your work as a practice manager.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
Graduates of practice management courses generally work as practice managers, and may seek employment in private practice, clinics and hospital settings. You may choose to work in a general medical practice, at a dentist’s clinic, or in a practice management role in an allied health service, like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology or nutrition.
Studying a practice management course will also equip you with the skills required to work in a variety of administration and management roles in other areas. You may choose to work as a:
- Medical Records Section Leader
- Senior Admissions Clerk
- Senior Administrative Worker
- Senior Ward Clerk
- Clinical Services Team Leader
- Ward Clerk
- Medical Receptionist
- Medical Administrative Assistant
- Admissions Clerk
- Practice Manager
- Business Manager
- Senior Medical Receptionist/Supervisor
- Project Administrator
- Project Support Officer
- Contract Officer
- Quality Officer
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Is practice management right for you?
You’ll thrive in practice management if you:
- Have excellent organisational and time management skills
- Have strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Are highly motivated
- Are proactive and disciplined
- Work well with people
- Love solving problems
- Can work well independently and in a team
- Can think critically
- Can make sound decisions
- Work well under pressure
Job opportunities
The Australian Government’s Job Outlook predicts significant growth in the health sector, describing it as one of the country’s fastest-growing sectors. Job Outlook reports approximately 24,000 people are currently employed as practice managers in Australia, and acknowledges that over 85 per cent of those are employed in the health sector. According to Job Outlook, the sector will grow strongly over the next few years. Approximately 28,000 people will be employed as practice managers by 2020.
Average Salaries
According to PayScale, practice managers earn between $48,000 and $62,000 per year, with an average salary of $62,000. PayScale reports that earning capacity isn’t closely tied with experience, meaning that entry-level managers may expect to earn a competitive salary. PayScale observes people often move from practice management roles to other leadership and management roles, including working as human resources managers, team leaders and chief executive officers.
Learn how to become a
Industry Bodies
- Australian Association of Practice Managers
- Australian Medical Association