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About Writing
Average Salaries
Writing workers may earn between $41,000 and $80,000 per year
You’ve got a love of words and a knack for getting your ideas across. Turn that talent into an enriching new career by studying a writing course.
Learn the art and science of great communication, find your voice and nurture your creative potential by studying a writing course. Whether you’re pursuing a career or seeking a new vocation, studying writing will allow you to explore your abilities and perspectives, learn the essential skills needed to thrive in a competitive professional industry, and develop your sense of yourself and identity.
In a writing course, you’ll build the broad base of skills needed to stand out in the commercial writing world. Whether you choose to work in the media, in marketing and communications, or in creative writing, a writing course will equip you with the essential skills, expertise and versatility needed to stand out.
In our language-driven culture we’re communicating constantly, and businesses and organisations are urgently seeking skilled professionals who can cut through the noise, connect with consumers, and offer a new way of seeing the world. In a writing course, you’ll hone your ability to write and edit in a wide variety of style for a range of different contexts, audiences and publications, and build a versatile portfolio of work to offer editors and employers.
You may study a writing course as a certificate or diploma course, in a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or as a post-graduate certificate or diploma course. With a writing qualification, you may choose to seek employment in a broad range of roles, including working in journalism, editing, corporate communications and marketing, or working as a screenwriter, author or poet.
As the publishing industry changes, editors and employers are seeking versatile and skilled professionals who can contribute knowledge, insight and critical perspective in an increasingly crowded conversation. By studying a writing course, you’ll build your skillset, compete professionally, and take the first step towards using your words and passion to support yourself.
What do writing graduates do?
Graduates of writing courses may take on a wide variety of roles in the publishing, media, advertising and creative sectors.
If you choose to work as a journalist, you may complete tasks such as:
- Researching and conducting interviews;
- Writing articles, news reports, feature articles, stories and commentaries;
- Writing and editing copy to ensure accuracy and conformity with editorial guidelines;
- Analysing, collecting and checking facts;
- Reviewing and researching other published material; and
- Critically discussing news and events for criticism, reviews and opinion columns.
If you choose to work as a copywriter, you may complete tasks such as:
- Consulting with clients and managers to establish and interpret creative briefs;
- Conduct market research;
- Writing advertising and marketing copy for press, radio, television, billboards, catalogues and shop displays;
- Editing and reviewing writing work; and
- Briefing graphic designers.
If you choose to work as an editor, you may complete tasks such as:
- Developing and implementing editorial guidelines;
- Editing and reviewing copy for factual accuracy, compliance with editorial guidelines and policies, tone, grammar and style;
- Briefing writers and designers;
- Writing articles, opinion pieces, stories and features; and
- Managing the publication of a newspaper, magazine or website, including managing an editorial calendar, publishing pieces, determining budgets and arranging payments.
You may also choose to work as a creative author, poet or screenwriter, and will work independently to conduct research and draft chapters or scenes for your creative work. You may also work with an editor to refine your work.
Career Outcomes
Career Outcomes
You’ll build a diverse skillset studying a writing course, and may choose to work across a broad range of industries, including working in media and journalism, advertising, corporate communications, technical writing, or in a creative field.
Roles you may take on after completing a writing course may include work as a:
- Journalist
- Editor
- Reporter
- Publisher
- Producer
- Sub-editor
- Media Researcher
- Media Strategist
- Writer
- Creative Writing Teacher
- Freelance Writer
- Freelance Editor
- Marketing Manager
- Communications Coordinator
- Corporate Communications Executive
- Communications Manager
- Public Relations Consultant
- Digital Media Coordinator
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Is writing right for you?
You’ll thrive working as a writer if you:
- Love words
- Are a creative thinker
- Can work independently
- Are curious about the world
- Are resilient
- Are disciplined
- Have excellent writing and communication skills
- Can work well under pressure
- Have strong organisation and time management skills
- Are empathetic
Job opportunities
The Australian Government’s Job Outlook reports that the writing sector in Australia has been growing moderately for the past decade, and expects job opportunities in the sector to continue expanding. Currently employing approximately 27,500 people, the sector will likely expand to employ approximately 30,300 people by 2020. Job Outlook predicts similar growth for the creative writing sector, reporting that although fewer than 10,000 people are employed in the field, new job openings are expected to double by 2020.
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. Generally, a writer can expect to earn between $41,000 and $80,000 per year, with an average annual salary of approximately $58,000.
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.