Skip to main content

How to become a project manager

Inspire a team to bring exciting new projects to life – whether it’s a building, app, health initiative or arts festival.

Begin your project management career

  1. Gain foundational project management skills in a VET-level course such as a Certificate IV in Project Management Practice.

  2. Increase your skills and employability with an undergraduate course such as a Bachelor of Business (Management).

  3. Consider advancing to a Graduate Certificate in Project Management or a more specialised postgraduate course such as a Master of Global Project Management.

  4. Register for accreditation with the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM).

What is a project manager?

Project managers are needed in a huge range of industries, including tech, manufacturing, construction, government, and the arts. Whatever your industry, as a project manager, you’ll use your killer organisational and people skills to manage and motivate a team to keep projects on track.

What does a project manager do?

A project manager is responsible for coordinating all the different aspects that need to work together for a project to be successful—things like finances, timeline, risk, and most importantly, people. For example, if you’re a project manager for a tech company, you might run meetings with developers, update senior leaders on progress, and manage budgets and project milestones.

The project management skills you will learn in your studies are transferable across industries—and sought after worldwide.

Your day-to-day tasks as a project manager might include:

  • Leading meetings

  • Hiring and managing your team

  • Coordinating tender processes and budgets

  • Preparing business cases

  • Producing and presenting progress reports

  • Liaising with senior leadership

Project manager skills

  • Strong communication

  • Leadership

  • Negotiation

  • Decision-making

  • Organisation

Project manager salary

According to Payscale at the time of publication, the average project manager salary in Australia is $101,700 per year.

Industry bodies

Discover project management degrees online

University of Newcastle

Gain specialised project management skills and slot into industry

Learn from expert industry practitioners and apply your skills to real-world problems. Your project-based coursework will apply to projects in construction, mining, IT, and more. Increase your value in the labour market and advance your career.

Study method
100% online
Duration
6 months full time or part time equivalent
RMIT University

Graduate Diploma in Project Management

PostgraduateRMI-PJM-GDI

A comprehensive online course to advance project management careers

Go beyond the key concepts in project management and consider an optional IT specialisation. You’ll delve into PM techniques, evaluating risk, and managing financials. Get ready to lead complex projects. Take the next step in your project management career.

Study method
100% online
RMIT University

Future focused knowledge and skills for careers in project management

Study key concepts in project management with an optional IT specialisation. You’ll learn about managing project times, costs, and teams. Handle risk with confidence. Build expertise to succeed in diverse industries. Become a project manager.

Study method
100% online
Adelaide University

Bachelor of Digital Business

UndergraduateADU-DGB-DEG

The evolution of business is digital

Future-proof your career with a degree that teaches digital business excellence. You’ll explore business opportunities from emerging technologies, including blockchain and AI. Get ready to automate and innovate. Designed in partnership with Accenture.

Study method
100% online
Duration
3 years full time or part time equivalent
Explore project management courses

Discover project management subjects online

University of Tasmania

Managing Projects

UndergraduateTAS-ZAA152

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 23 Feb 2026
University of Tasmania
Study method
100% online
Start dates
Starts 23 Feb 2026
Curtin University

Project Management Overview

PostgraduateCUR-PRM500

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 2 Mar 2026, 31 Aug 2026
University of Tasmania

ICT Project Management and Modelling

UndergraduateTAS-KIT203

Study method
100% online
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
Start dates
Starts 23 Feb 2026

Need help making study choices for your career?

Student advisor working on a laptop in OUA’s bright and modern office atrium
Matthew is part of our team of student advisors here to answer your questions.

Need help making study choices for your career?

Our student advisors will turn your aspirations into a clear study path.

They'll help you with:

  • Choosing and enrolling in the right course for your desired career, including pathway options.

  • Mapping a study plan that allows you to balance work and home commitments.

  • Understanding eligibility for funding, including HECS-HELP loans.

Get unbiased advice at no cost today.

Looking for other ways to start the conversation? Contact us

Step up your career with these resources

5 small business courses for self-starters

Whether you’re a small business owner or plotting away at a side hustle, there are many online business courses to choose from to help you get in touch with your entrepreneurial side and launch your ideas off the ground.

Is a career in project management right for you?

Do you get a kick out of thinking big and getting things done? You could make a great project manager.

5 qualities that make you a leader vs a manager

While managers dole out tasks, leaders take things a step further by inspiring everyone around them. Discover how you can become this kind of leader, no matter where you work.

11 project management short courses you can study online

Learn how to lead an important work project before the year is over. These online project management courses only take 10-16 weeks to complete.