Overview of this occupation
Environmental Scientists study, develop, implement and advise on policies and plans for managing and protecting the environment, flora, fauna and other natural resources.
What they do:
- Adhere to protocols or regulations designed to protect ecosystems from biosecurity risks
- Advise others about environmental issues, conservation or land management
- Apply knowledge, understanding and respect of culturally significant sites or objects
- Apply respectful engagement to develop collaborative relationships with local Indigenous groups
- Collect or compile environmental data or samples
- Conduct ecological research of processes in natural or industrial ecosystems
- Develop environmental conservation, remediation or sustainability plans
- Develop plans to manage natural or renewable resources
- Evaluate or monitor the environmental impact of projects or activities
- Manage environmental sustainability, conservation, or resource management activities
- Prepare research or technical reports on environmental issues
- Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives
What technology tools they use:
- GPS and navigation technologies
- Geographic information systems (GIS)
- Land surveying technologies
- Mapping software
- Scientific instruments
Source: Australian Skills Classification, job and Skills Australia, Commonwealth of Australia. Used under Creative Commons BY 4.0 licence and Jobs and Skills Australia, ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Quick facts
Environmental Scientists
The number of people employed in an occupations as their main job across all Australian states.
The projected increase in employment in Australia from May 2023 to May 2028.
The distribution of people employed in an occupation in NSW.
Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed.
This shows the median age of all workers in this occupation.
Those who usually work less than 35 hours per week.
See footnotes for source details and additional information.
Skills and knowledge
What are they good at?
This table lists skills and knowledge categories according to how relevant they are for this occupation.
High expertise | Intermediate |
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Source: Australian Skills Classification, Jobs and Skills Australia, Commonwealth of Australia. Used under Creative Commons BY 4.0 licence.
Education and qualifications
Environmental Scientists – Skill level 1
Occupation at Skill Level 1 have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor's degree of higher qualification .
At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification
Source: Conceptual basis of ANZSCO, ABS Survey, Release Nov 2021.
Qualifications in this workforce
This table shows the distribution of employment by highest qualification completed (in any field of study).7
Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
Use this as a guide for understanding what qualifications are the most common in this field. For personalised support on your education journey, talk to a Careers NSW specialist.
Talk to one of our specialists
At any career stage you can talk with a specialist from Careers NSW about your goals and how you can achieve them.