Marine Science Careers

Career opportunities

Career opportunities in all branches of marine science are growing. Australia now has a Marine Exclusive Zone of 16.1 million square kilometres and has responsibility for the conservation of resources, control of pollution, and management of species in the third largest ocean territory in the world.

Marine scientists will be needed to explore this area and help Australia to use it wisely. This exploration includes research in all aspects of marine science, as well as work in industry and government agencies. The Federal Government has recently released its marine and science technology plan, which is beginning to inject additional funds into expanding Australia's marine capabilities.

Fisheries management is another growing area of employment in marine science. Scientists who specialise in fisheries work towards the sound and viable management of the world's fisheries.

Many of our graduates now work in local, state and federal government agencies involved in coastal and marine investigation and management. These include a range of positions in coastal-based local governments, various state government organisations including the Department of Land and Water Conservation (Coastal and Estuarine sections), Fisheries, National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Environment Protection Agency, Sydney Water, the NSW Coastal Council, various federal government organisations including Environment Australia, and CSIRO Oceanography and Coastcare. Others have joined private industry and private environmental/marine consultancies.

The Marine Science research and exploration industry is another major employer of marine scientists in Australia. For example, Geoscience Australia, Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia (PESA), and  Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association Limited (APPEA).