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Study Project Management

Potential Career Outcomes

Some potential occupations include:

This occupation requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the education level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or higher and in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation to have a positive skills assessment.

Course overview

Program, Project or Contract Adminstrators are heavily involved in the administration of contracts, programs, special projects and support services. Some of the key skills for needed in this industry include customer and person services, administration and management, and computer and electronic skills.

In Australia, there are many courses you can take to start your career in project management. Australia offers courses both at the vocational training level across to higher education. In these courses you will be exposed to topics such as:

  • Project Procurement
  • Project Scope
  • Human Resources
  • Information and Communication
  • Project Governance
  • Project Risk

Graduate Outcomes

  • On average, a program, project or contract administrator earns $1,660 per week.
  • Program, project or contract administrators tend to work in many industries ranging from Public Administration and Safety, Construction and Education and Training.
  • Most Program, project or contract administrators work full-time (82%).
  • Unemployment rate for this occupation is below average in 2018.
  • Normally, workers in this industry spend around 43 hours per week.
  • Age: average age is 42 years.
  • Gender: 55% of workers are female

Common Course Requirements

  • Completion of secondary education.
  • Meet English proficiency (Usually at least IELTS 5.5 overall for Vocational courses, or 6.5 for University courses).

Related Courses

Some related courses include:

  • Certificate IV in Project Management Practice

Duration: 22 to 52 weeks
Intake: Monthly
Cost: $3,600 to $15,200
Locations: Most cities throughout Australia

  • Diploma of Project Management
    Duration: 26 to 104 weeks
    Intake: Monthly
    Cost: $5,800 to $20,000
    Locations: Most cities throughout Australia
  • Advanced Diploma of Project Management

Duration: 48 to 104 weeks

Intake: Monthly

Cost: $6,250 to $24,000

Locations: Most cities throughout Australia

  • Bachelor of Project Management

Duration: 156 weeks

Intake: Twice a year (February and July)

Cost: $40,000 to $45,000/ year

Locations: Most cities throughout Australia

Studying Project Management in Australia: What the Course Covers

Project management courses teach you how to plan, run and close projects so they are delivered on time, on budget and to the agreed quality. Typical subjects cover project scope, scheduling, cost and budget control, risk management, quality, procurement and contracts, stakeholder communication, leading project teams, and governance. You also learn widely used methods such as traditional (waterfall) and agile approaches, and project software tools. Many diploma and degree courses use case studies and real or simulated projects.

Qualifications and AQF Levels

Qualification AQF level What it prepares you for
Certificate IV in Project Management Practice AQF 4 Project support and coordinator roles on smaller projects
Diploma of Project Management AQF 5 Project coordinator and project officer roles
Advanced Diploma of Program Management AQF 6 Managing multiple related projects or a program of work
Bachelor of Project Management or Business (Project Management) AQF 7 Project management careers across industries
Graduate Certificate or Master of Project Management AQF 9 Senior project and program management roles, often for people with work experience

Study Pathways

Many students start with a Diploma of Project Management, which can give credit towards a bachelor degree. If you already have a degree and work experience, a graduate certificate or master’s degree in project management is a common way to move into senior roles. Project management is usually combined with an industry, such as construction, IT, engineering or health, so think about which field you want to manage projects in. Industry certifications offered by professional project management bodies are also valued by employers.

Related Occupations and Visa Pathways (as at October 2026)

Occupation ANZSCO CSOL (482 and 186) Skilled lists (189, 190, 491, 485)
Program or Project Administrator 511112 Yes STSOL
Contract Administrator 511111 Yes STSOL
Construction Project Manager 133111 Yes MLTSSL

Our Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) guide explains which visas use each list and what that means for project and contract administrators.

Career Outlook

Project skills are needed in construction, infrastructure, IT, government, health, mining and professional services. Graduates usually start as project coordinators or administrators and move into project manager roles with experience. Employers often look for industry specific knowledge as well as a project management qualification, so relevant work experience is important.

Applying for a Student Visa to Study Project Management

Project management students usually do best when they can point to the industry they want to manage projects in, such as construction or IT, and explain how the course adds to their earlier study or work. For the current English, money and work conditions, see our Student visa (subclass 500) page.

Project Management Study FAQs

There is no general project manager occupation. Program or Project Administrator (511112) and Contract Administrator (511111) are on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the STSOL as at October 2026. Construction Project Manager (133111) is on the CSOL and the MLTSSL but generally needs construction qualifications and experience.

The 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream requires an MLTSSL occupation closely related to your qualification. Program or Project Administrator is on the STSOL, not the MLTSSL, so a diploma in project management alone generally does not lead to that stream. Bachelor and higher graduates may qualify for the Post-Higher Education Work stream.

Some universities require work experience, especially for shorter graduate certificate or advanced standing entry, while others accept graduates without experience. Check the entry rules of each university.

Project management focuses on delivering one project. Program management coordinates a group of related projects to achieve a wider business goal, and is usually studied at advanced diploma or postgraduate level.

Related guides

Am I eligible for a Student visa? Student Visa Funds Calculator Study a Trade Course Assessment Study a Uni Course Assessment

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