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As many industries are undergoing transformations in the face of changing technology and COVID-19 related disruptions, Project Managers are needed to implement these changes and ensure the success of large-scale projects.”
— The University of Sydney, October 14, 2024
Data consistently shows that Project Managers rank among the highest-paid professionals in Australia. Their ability to lead projects effectively, meet organisational goals, and deliver results within budget and on time makes them invaluable to businesses across a wide range of industries. With competitive salaries and strong career growth opportunities, project management continues to be a highly rewarding and sought-after profession in the Australian job market.
Latest data from seek.com.au. December 2024.
Project Manager salaries in Australia vary across industries, reflecting the specific demands and complexities inherent to each sector. Below is an overview of average annual salaries for Project Managers in various industries. Note that different industries have varying changes in base salaries:
- Oil and Gas: Project Managers in the oil and gas industry are among the higher earners, with salaries often ranging from $150,000 to $200,000 per year. This reflects the complex and high-stakes nature of projects in this sector.
- Mining: In the mining industry, Project Managers typically earn between $140,000 and $180,000 annually, depending on the scale and location of the projects.
- Technology: Project Managers in the technology sector have an average salary of approximately $130,000 per year.
- Civil Construction: Salaries for Project Managers in civil construction range from $120,000 to $160,000 annually, influenced by project size and complexity.
- Commercial Construction: In commercial construction, Project Managers earn an average salary of around $140,000 per year.
- Residential Construction: Project Managers in residential construction typically earn between $120,000 and $140,000 annually.
- Health: Within the healthcare sector, Project Managers earn between $110,000 and $140,000 per year, with variations based on specific roles and responsibilities.
- Government: Government Project Managers have an average salary of $125,000 per year.
- Emergency Services: Project Managers in emergency services typically earn between $110,000 and $130,000 annually, reflecting the critical nature of their projects.
These figures are approximate and can vary based on factors such as experience, qualifications, project scale, and geographic location. Additionally, the demand for skilled Project Managers in Australia remains strong, contributing to competitive salary packages across these industries.
(data provided by seek.com.au)
Why Choose Project Management as a Career?
Project Management is a career that offers financial stability, competitive earnings, and incredible flexibility, making it an attractive choice for professionals at any stage of their journey. With Project Managers ranking among the highest-paid roles in industries like construction, technology, healthcare, and mining, this career path provides a strong foundation for financial growth and security.
One of the greatest advantages of Project Management is its versatility. The skills you develop—such as planning, communication, leadership, and problem-solving—are highly transferable, giving you the freedom to move across industries or step into roles like operations, consulting, or executive leadership. Whether you want to specialise in a specific field or explore new opportunities, Project Management opens doors to a variety of pathways.
The role also offers flexibility in work environments and project types. From leading large-scale construction projects to managing digital transformations, Project Managers can choose industries and projects that align with their interests and goals. Additionally, the demand for skilled Project Managers ensures job security and numerous opportunities to grow, adapt, and thrive in a dynamic job market.
In addition, project managers are an all season, multi skilled individual constantly utilised to deliver outcomes. This is why renumerations for these types of roles is high.
Considering The New Gig Economy
Core project management skills—such as organising workloads efficiently, communicating effectively with a variety of stakeholders, and supervising both on-site and remote team members—are critical in this evolving landscape. By ensuring clarity, structure, and transparency, project managers help their teams adapt to the insights provided by AI technologies, ensuring projects remain on schedule and within scope. In addition, their ability to encourage collaboration, provide guidance, and set realistic expectations ensures that AI-driven decisions are understood, adopted, and executed with precision. Blending strategic thinking, technical fluency, and strong interpersonal capabilities, project managers ensure projects remain agile, consistently exceed expectations, and fully realise the combined potential of both human and machine-led capabilities.
Want to know more? Contact our Project Management Team.
Techskill Academy. Licence 45055.
AIPM endorsed.
Diploma of Project Management BSB50820
Call: 1300 089 979
Email: enquiries@techskill.com.au
What is Project Management as a Career Exactly?
Project management is the structured practice of leading and coordinating resources to achieve specific objectives within a set timeframe. It encompasses planning, execution, and completion of projects while balancing critical factors like scope, time, and budget to deliver successful outcomes.
As industries evolve to keep pace with technological advancements and adapt to the disruptions caused by COVID-19 (yes this is still occurring), the demand for skilled Project Managers has surged. These professionals play a pivotal role in driving transformation, implementing new processes, and ensuring the success of large-scale initiatives. Whether it’s navigating digital transformation, managing remote teams, or coordinating complex projects.
For example, the responsibilities of a Project Manager in construction may include coordinating trades and services, ensuring materials are delivered to the site as scheduled, and verifying that all tradespeople have up-to-date qualifications and valid insurance. Additionally, they oversee staff inductions, manage the seamless coordination of works, and ensure that all tasks are completed on time, within budget, and to the required standards.
If you were to look at retail and distribution industry for example, Project Management involves overseeing tasks such as managing inventory to ensure products are readily available, coordinating supply chains to guarantee timely deliveries, and organising logistics for efficient movement of goods. It also includes budgeting to keep projects within financial limits, scheduling initiatives like store openings or seasonal campaigns, and ensuring team collaboration across departments. Project Managers implement technologies such as POS systems or inventory software, address risks like stock delays or staffing shortages, and lead efforts to enhance customer experiences both in-store and online. All of this ensures smooth operations and successful business outcomes.
Benefits of qualifying with AIPM.
Established in 1978, the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) is Australia’s premier and longest-standing association in project management. AIPM brings together project professionals, offering membership, training, and certification programs to support career growth and project success.
Benefits of Completing an AIPM-Certified Diploma
Completing an AIPM-certified Diploma of Project Management provides a wealth of career-enhancing opportunities:
- Membership Benefits: Gain access to AIPM memberships tailored to students, professionals, and organisations. Enjoy networking opportunities, free resources, exclusive discounts, and job boards to kick-start or advance your career.
- RegPM™ Certification: Automatically qualify for the Certified Practising Project Practitioner (CPPP) credential upon joining AIPM, showcasing your expertise and commitment to industry standards.
- Professional Growth: Participate in free or discounted events, training programs, and mentoring to stay ahead in project management.
- Networking and Recognition: Join Australia’s peak project management community, connecting with peers, employers, and industry leaders while affiliating your organisation with a trusted brand.
- Exclusive Savings: Access discounts on memberships, events, and certifications to support ongoing development.
An AIPM-certified diploma not only builds your project management skills but also connects you with valuable resources and credentials to elevate your career.
Want to know more? Contact our Project Management Team.
Techskill Academy. Licence 45055.
AIPM endorsed.
Diploma of Project Management BSB50820
Call: 1300 089 979
Email: enquiries@techskill.com.au
Skills you will learn as a certified project manager:
The skills project managers need vary depending on their industry and the type of projects they oversee. However, businesses typically look for people with the following hard and soft skills when promoting or hiring project managers:
- Leadership: Successful project managers motivate and inspire their teams to perform at their best. They delegate tasks, lead meetings, and resolve disputes while negotiating achievable budgets and deadlines.
- Communication: Project managers use active listening, questioning, and public speaking to clarify project requirements and lead engaging presentations. Written communication skills are essential for reports and updates.
- Organisation and Time Management: Creating detailed project plans and tracking tasks requires strong organisational skills. Project managers monitor team progress and address delays to ensure deadlines are met.
- Problem-solving: Project managers mitigate challenges like delays or resource shortages by finding solutions that minimise impact and keep projects on track.
- Self-Management: Staying calm under pressure and maintaining a positive attitude helps project managers build strong relationships and deliver successful outcomes.
More specifically, the skills and experience employers are looking for include:
- Project Planning
- Project Management
- Project Delivery
- Construction Management
- Project Risk
- Stakeholder Management
- Project Management Software
- Punctuality
- Project Scope
Take Action Now: A Project Management Career Awaits
As reported by SEEK in December 2024, the Australian job market in 2025 is set to offer over 24,000 Project Management roles across all industry sectors leading into 2025. This unprecedented demand is driven by large-scale infrastructure projects, fueled by booming housing, civil, and general construction sectors preparing Australia for the 2032 Olympic Games.
With such a high volume of opportunities available, the industry is seeking skilled professionals who can lead teams, manage complex projects, and deliver outcomes that will shape Australia’s future.
By starting your journey now, you position yourself ahead of the curve, ready to take advantage of the incredible demand.
With the right qualifications, such as an AIPM-endorsed diploma, you can fast-track your entry into this rewarding field. Be part of Australia’s growth story, take control of your career, and unlock opportunities in one of the most in-demand professions of the decade.
Want to know more? Contact our Project Management Team.
Techskill Academy. Licence 45055.
AIPM endorsed.
Diploma of Project Management BSB50820
Call: 1300 089 979
Email: enquiries@techskill.com.au
