How to Become a Project Manager

Project managers play a vital role in overseeing the completion of projects that can drive business growth and success. They must have strong management and organisational skills to keep track of project progress and ensure everyone involved is aligned with project goals.

Let’s explore what being a project manager entails, how much they earn in Australia and what steps can be taken to enter this role.

The rising demand for project managers in Australia

Project managers are currently in high demand in Australia. SEEK reports that the role is projected to grow by 9.3 per cent over the next five years.

This shortage of project managers may also be more prevalent in particular industries. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, the country faced a shortage of construction project managers across all states and territories from 2021 to 2023.

The rising demand for professionals in this occupation demonstrates how businesses across various sectors recognise the need for skilled professionals to lead and oversee projects. It also offers an abundance of career opportunities for those looking to enter or advance in this field.

What is a project manager?

A project manager is responsible for planning, executing and managing a project from start to finish. They lead project team members to accomplish their tasks, ensure things are progressing smoothly and the project is completed on time, within the budget and up to quality standards.

Besides coordinating a team of employees working on a project, this professional also engages with various internal and external stakeholders. They report project progress to senior management, discuss project requirements with clients and teams, and procure resources from vendors and suppliers.

Project management is needed in almost every sector, making it a highly versatile field. You can find project managers working in business, marketing, healthcare and more. Many of them work in offices while others, especially in the mining and construction industries, may visit project sites often to monitor progress.

What does a project manager do?

While project managers typically oversee projects and team members, their exact responsibilities may vary depending on the role, company, type of projects and industry they work in. For example, construction project managers usually collaborate with engineers, architects and subcontractors. Project managers in the information technology (IT) sector may execute IT-related projects like network and software updates.

However, many similar project manager responsibilities are shared across various industries, such as:

• Discussing project plans with clients and senior managers
• Examining potential risks that could affect projects and identifying ways to mitigate them
• Hiring and managing project team members
• Delegating tasks to team members and supervising their progress
• Approving contracts related to a project
• Monitoring project progress to ensure timely delivery
• Managing project budgets and approving purchases
• Preparing and delivering project updates and reports for senior management

What is a typical project manager salary in Australia?

The average salary of a project manager in Australia ranges from $135,000 to $155,000 a year, according to SEEK. You can explore the average annual income for this role according to different states and territories below:

• Queensland: $146,817
• Western Australia: $145,539
• New South Wales: $145,000
• Australian Capital Territory: $145,000
• Victoria: $140,000
• Tasmania: $140,000
• Northern Territory: $138,750
• South Australia: $130,000

A project manager’s salary may also vary according to the industry they work in, such as:

• Banking and financial services: $162,115
• Accounting: $150,535
• Construction: $139,784
• Consulting and strategy: $129,776
• Design and architecture: $113,614
• Community services and development: $105,703
• Advertising, arts and media: $91,722
• Administration and office support: $90,598

3 steps to becoming a project manager

Here’s a step-by-step guide of how your journey may look like to become a project manager:

1. Acquire an undergraduate degree

   Pursuing tertiary studies can equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to kickstart your project management career. You can either complete an undergraduate qualification in project management or a specific industry, such as construction, IT or engineering.

   If you choose to enrol in a project management course, the skills you develop during your studies are usually transferable. This gives you the flexibility to choose which sector to work in when you enter the job market. The qualification can also boost your job prospects and give you access to more career opportunities in project management that favour candidates with a relevant undergraduate degree.

2. Gain practical experience

   You need to accumulate years of industry experience to take on a project manager role. Based on roles advertised on SEEK, project managers are typically expected to have at least five years of relevant work experience.

   After completing your undergraduate studies, you will typically begin your career in an entry-level or junior role, such as a project coordinator or a project support officer.

   Your responsibilities depend on your position, company and industry. You may provide administrative support to the project manager and team, assist with the preparation of project proposals and reports, coordinate meetings or liaise between team members, clients and other stakeholders.

   Familiarise yourself with the standard industry practices within your sector. Learn how to work in a team and observe how project managers lead projects from planning until completion.

3. Upskill with professional certifications and postgraduate studies

   As you progress into your career, you should continue to upskill yourself with additional qualifications that can complement your years of work experience. This can help you become a prime candidate for a project manager position.

   Many employers value candidates who have industry certifications, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, as they demonstrate your capability to oversee projects effectively. You can also obtain national accreditation from the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) to boost your credibility and employability.

   Another way to enhance your expertise in handling complex projects is by advancing your studies with a postgraduate project management course. There are plenty of programs offered by Australian universities that can help you prepare for a leadership role in this field. The units in these courses are designed to help you develop key skills such as risk management, resource allocation and stakeholder management.

   Some courses, such as Queensland University of Technology’s Master of Project Management, are endorsed by the AIPM, which indicates that their course content is up to date with industry standards. Southern Cross University’s Master of Project Management allows you to choose industry-specific electives, such as engineering, accounting and health services, to help you specialise in your preferred industry.

   Explore various postgraduate courses in project management below.

What skills does a project manager need?

Project managers are typically expected to have a combination of hard and soft skills to perform their tasks effectively. Explore some of the top project manager skills below.

Hard skills

Project management methodologies: As a project manager, you need to have an understanding of project management methodologies that are relevant to your role and industry. These structured frameworks provide the best practices that allow you to manage and reach project targets. Employers may also require project manager candidates to have knowledge of specific methodologies, such as the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Agile or Lean.

Technical expertise: Having the knowledge and skills to utilise various software and tools related to project management allows you to oversee each stage of the project life cycle more efficiently. Different tools have their own distinct features and functions, such as resource management, team collaboration and time tracking, so being familiar with them can help you settle on which tools work best for your team and the project.

Risk management: Every project comes with risks, so being able to identify them is a valuable skill every project manager should have. Risk management also involves implementing preventive measures to reduce risks. This can help projects to flow more smoothly and increase their likelihood of success.

Soft skills

Leadership: As you will be managing a team and delegating tasks to its members, you must be able to inspire and motivate them to complete their work effectively to achieve project goals as well as resolve conflicts that may occur within the team. This skill is also essential as you typically will be leading project discussions and meetings.

Communication: As a project manager, you must be an expert communicator as you will be interacting with various people related to a project, such as team members, clients, senior managers and other stakeholders within and outside of your organisation. This skill allows you to build rapport with others, understand and articulate project details and requirements clearly as well as write concise project reports.

Time management: Projects typically have a deadline, which is why it’s important for project managers to ensure project targets are met on time. This skill involves creating project timelines, monitoring project progress and taking necessary steps when team members are behind schedule to reduce the ramifications of their delays.

Enjoy a fulfilling career in project management

There are plenty of opportunities for project professionals to move into leadership roles with the existing demand for project managers in Australia. You can develop the skills needed to take on project manager jobs by pursuing postgraduate studies. Start your journey today by exploring postgraduate courses in project management offered by leading Australian universities.