How to become a personal assistant
Provide one-to-one support to an executive, making sure their workday runs smoothly, picking up personal tasks along the way.
What does a personal assistant do?
PAs provide admin and secretarial services to senior staff. They can work in high-pressure environments across all industries. As trusted employees, personal assistants might also be called on to help with personal tasks because they work closely with their managers and excel at organisation.
Duties and tasks
- Handle day-to-day activities of senior staff, including meetings, phone calls, e-mails, and appointments.
- Deal with stationary orders, taking notes, and managing accounts.
- Brief senior staff on information in correspondence.
- Assist with personal matters including travel booking and childcare.
- Accompany senior staff on business trips and assist with bookings, transfers, and refreshments.
Industry bodies
Related jobs
- Administrative assistant
- Inventory and supply officer
- Office manager
- Office professional
- Project support officer
- Receptionist
- Secretary
Discover online business administration degrees
Undergraduate SWI-BBA-DEG
Bachelor of Business with a Major in Business Administration
Postgraduate FLI-BUS-GDI
Postgraduate ANU-PAD-MAS
Postgraduate CSU-CAD-MAS
Discover online business administration subjects
Undergraduate GRF-GBS108
Related degrees
Undergraduate TAS-BMA202
Related degrees
- Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Psychological Science
- Bachelor of Business (Hospitality Management)
- Bachelor of Business (Tourism Management)
- Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Economics
- Bachelor of Business (Business Analytics)
- Bachelor of Business (Business Economics)
- Bachelor of Business (Finance)
- Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
- Bachelor of Business (Managing People and Organisations)
- Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
Undergraduate USA-BUIL2029
Step up your career with these resources
How to negotiate a higher salary
Not sure what to say when negotiating your salary? Follow these tips from career strategist Kelly Magowan next time you need to make your case with an employer.
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.
Are microcredentials worth it?
You can study a microcredential in just about any industry, from healthcare and education to business and marketing. Here’s why these skills-based short courses are worth your time.
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.
We're here to guide you there
Our student advisors can assist you with enrolment, help you plan your studies, and answer questions about how studying through Open Universities Australia can get you from where you are today, to where you want to be tomorrow.