How to become a marine biologist in Australia
Marine Biologists study the anatomy, physiology, functions, characteristics, behaviour and environments of all forms of life living in the sea and connected water bodies.
Pay and growth are for the wider life scientists group, which is as fine as the data goes. The all-jobs median is $1,852 a week. Jobs in the life scientists group are projected to grow 19.8% between May 2025 and May 2035, faster than the 13.3% projected for all jobs. Projections are indicative, not forecasts, and JSA says they don't yet reflect generative AI.
What the job involves
- Plans and undertakes experiments to study, measure and understand marine animals and plants.
- Investigates the interrelationships between animals in their natural surroundings, in captivity and in laboratories.
How to get there
What it usually takes. A bachelor degree or higher. This is the skill level Jobs and Skills Australia gives the life scientists group, and some roles differ.
What people in the job have. Highest qualification held: 96% a degree or higher, 1% a diploma, 0% a Certificate III or IV.
Many jobs also need registration, a licence or a specific accredited course. Check the professional body or regulator before you choose.
Courses that can lead here
Estimate your ATAR and this page shows the gap to each course. Your marks stay on your device.
Victoria2 matches
VTAC lowest selection ranks, December 2025 offer round.
Marine Science · Deakin, Geelong Waurn Ponds64.80Showing 1 of 2 matches. Search every course.
NSW and ACT9 matches
UAC lowest selection ranks, December Round 2, 2025-26 admissions.
Bachelor of Marine Biology and Climate Change · UTS79.65 Bachelor of Marine Science · Wollongong70.75 Bachelor of Coastal and Marine Science · Newcastle69.10 Bachelor of Marine Science · Griffith66.40 Bachelor of Science (Marine) · Southern Cross65.30Diplomas and other ways in
Diploma of Science/Bachelor of Marine Science · Wollongong39.20 Diploma of Science Fast Track/Bachelor of Marine Science · Wollongong60.10Showing 7 of 9 matches. Search every course.
Queensland5 matches
QTAC course pages, ATAR/Selection Rank profile for semester 1, 2026.
Bachelor of Marine Science · JCU, Townsville72.55 Bachelor of Marine Science · Griffith, Gold Coast65.35Diplomas and other ways in
Showing 4 of 5 matches. Search every course.
Western Australia10 matches
TISC Course Search: lowest ATAR offered for 2026 entry and guaranteed offer ATARs.
Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) in Marine Science · Curtin, Perth95.00 guaranteed Bachelor of Marine Science and Master of Environmental Science · UWA, Perth90.00 guaranteed Bachelor of Marine Science and Master of Oceanography · UWA, Perth90.00 guaranteed Bachelor of Marine Science and Master of Marine Biology · UWA, Perth86.60 Bachelor of Marine Science · UWA, Perth67.35 Bachelor of Science (Science) in Marine Science · Curtin, Perth61.20 Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology · Murdoch, Perth60.05 Bachelor of Science (Marine Science), Bachelor of Arts (double degree) · Curtin, Perth70.00 guaranteedShowing 8 of 10 matches. Search every course.
Matched on course names, 26 across four admissions centres. A lowest selection rank includes adjustment points and moves every year. Check prerequisites and whether the course is accredited for this job.
Graduate outcomes, national
Undergraduates surveyed about four to six months after finishing, in 2025, across all providers. Full-time work is among those available for it. All graduates: 75.4% and $77,000. These are national figures for the study area, not for this course or uni, and a first-year salary says little about later pay. Source: QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025.
Does it fit your interests?
Strongest interest areas for this kind of work: Investigative, Conventional, Realistic.
From O*NET ratings for "Biologists", the closest US occupation in JSA's correspondence (a acceptable match). US ratings are a guide to Australian jobs, not a measurement of them.
Careers with similar interests
Environmental scientist$1,953 Medical laboratory scientist$2,056 Physicist$1,848 Microbiologist$1,544 Environmental engineer$2,649Done this job, or studied for it?
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Share your storyJob data: © Commonwealth of Australia, Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profiles, February 2026 and Employment Projections, May 2025 to May 2035 (Victoria University), CC BY 4.0. Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO 2013 Version 1.2 to O*NET-SOC 2019 Taxonomy correspondence.
Graduate outcomes: QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025, National Report Tables (Social Research Centre, for the Australian Government).
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Curve ATAR has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.