Business administrator job description

Where we source our data

Let’s get real. Job information online can often be overly optimistic — conveniently glossing over the raw bits. But when you’re making decisions about your future, you need all the facts.

That’s why we anonymously surveyed business administrators about their job, with hopes of getting an honest insight into what it’s really like.

While we did our best to ensure respondents were Australians and verified their job titles with proof of employment, we can’t guarantee complete accuracy — or that your experiences in the field will reflect theirs. So, we suggest that you take these insights as a guide only and try to talk to people in the field before making an important decision.

You may be thinking, ‘what is business administration?’ Business administrators work in companies to maintain the back-office processes. They use good time management to work on tasks efficiently and support senior staff in day-to-day administration duties.

Intellectual

Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Organising

Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Analytical

Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Tasks and responsibilities for a business administrator

A role in business administration can create a varied and diverse workday and depends on what kind of company you work for.

What does a business administrator do? A business administrator’s tasks can include:

Filing documents and maintaining records
Maintaining basic bookkeeping
Ordering office supplies and stock
Preparing documents and communication for the business
Scheduling meetings, preparing meeting areas and taking minutes
Providing office support to other colleagues
Providing customer services

Reasons to choose this job

Based on our career survey data, these are the factors that workers said were most important to them when choosing this job.

Job security

Roles in business administration will always be needed. Running a business involves many moving parts, and each of these parts has many administration processes that need to be followed and kept in order.

Enjoyable

If you are a person that loves to communicate and support others, create successful and smooth running systems and get a kick out of being organised, then a role as a business administrator is gratifying.

Learning opportunities

A job as a business administrator can be an excellent learning opportunity. You could specialise in specific areas, and you can use your strengthened skills to enter more senior roles in the business or elsewhere.

Overall job satisfaction

This overall score combines the critical factors in job satisfaction. It includes fulfilment, stress levels, and opportunities for advancement, based on our career survey data.

Stress level

How stressful workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.

Fulfilment

How personally rewarding workers feel their job is, based on our career survey data.

Skill level

The skill level required to do this job is based on both our career survey data and official data from the Labour Market Information Portal.

Job market trends for a business administrator

The job market for business administrators in Australia is relatively stable and predicted to stay that way for the next five years. Worker numbers in Australia are approximately 20,100.

$89,129 Per Year

Median salary

Where this data comes from

Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.

This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report

Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.

Projected job growth

Where this data comes from

Median salary
We use the median salary over the average because it’s more realistic — unusually high or low salaries don’t skew the median. It shows the true middle point, which is what your typical worker in this job earns.

This figure is from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. It’s the official median full-time adult salary for non-managers, before tax. (Includes salary sacrifice.)

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours (cat. no. 6306.0), Customised Report

Projected job growth
Job growth projections, using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. These calculations were made before COVID-19 and may not accurately reflect the labour market. Use these numbers as a general guide only.

Pathway options

Job pathways are drawn from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways site.

The experience and knowledge needed to become an efficient business administrator are required across many other roles in the sector. An initial role in business admin can open up doors, allow your career to evolve into similar positions and even lead to more senior roles in companies.

Where a job as a business administrator could take you:

Junior

Administrative officer

Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Business (Administration) (BSB40120)
Executive assistant

Most common qualification: Certificate III in Business (BSB30120)

Mid

Administration manager

Most common qualification: Certificate IV in Business (Administration) (BSB40120)

Senior

Business manager

Most common qualification: Diploma of Business (BSB50120)

Skills you might already have

Based on our career survey data, the soft skills that workers said were most needed to do their job well.

A role in business administration requires natural abilities that some people take years to perfect. The soft skill you bring to the position can be the difference between being okay at your job and excelling in it.

The soft skill set desired for business administrators:

Communication

In business administration, there is a need for constant communication to ensure you are doing your job effectively. You have to liaise with colleagues, clients, visitors, and other stakeholders regularly, and you must be clear and transparent in every aspect of your role.

Organisation

The role of a business administrator involves a lot of paperwork and electronic data that needs to be stored and organised correctly. You also need to be able to create schedules and maintain an eye on the ball with all tasks assigned to you.

Time management

Good time management means you plan your time well to ensure you get all of your tasks done effectively. Other work colleagues rely on business administrators to have what they need ready for them when they need it.

Hard skills

The job-specific skills that workers said were most important, supplemented with data from JobOutlook and online job advertisements.

It is vital in a role like business administration to have core skills and knowledge of the day-to-day administration needed to run a business. Although administrators learn these skills over time in work experience, a VET course prepares you to hit the ground running and makes you more likely to get the job in the first place.

Some technical business administration skills:

Microsoft Office and other information technology

Creation of Excel spreadsheets and other documents

Basic bookkeeping and budgets

Workplace safety

Human resource management

Project management

How to become a business administrator

To become a business administrator, take steps to ensure you are ready for the role and have the fundamental skills needed.

Study

Business administration courses such as a Certificate III in Business (BSB30120), a Certificate IV in Business (BSB40120) or a Diploma of Business (BSB50120) equip you with the skills needed to perform a role in business administration well. A qualification in business will prepare you for an entry-level position and enhance your chances of a successful job application.
Further study

If in your career as a business administrator, you feel like you would like to specialise in specific areas or qualify for more senior roles in administration, further study, such as a bachelor’s degree, can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need.

Studying through a TAFE or an RTO is a great way to gain essential skills in business administration. Several courses are available, and many you can easily fit into a busy schedule or complete part-time.

Certificate III in Business - BSB30120

Study method Online

This course teaches many skills in business administration and is perfect for those who want an excellent overview of working to support business systems.

The skills learned in this qualification can lead to jobs in administration, executive assisting, clerical support and much more.

The average duration for the course is one year, but if you study full-time you can complete it faster. You can learn online with flexible enrolment, and you may even be eligible for course payment subsidies.

Certificate IV in Business - BSB40120

Study method Online

This course is a more comprehensive study of business skills and covers critical thinking, communication strategies and human resources.

People who complete this course may have more refined skills in business administration and take on a supervisory role to other administrative assistants.

The average duration for this course is one year, but you can complete it faster if taken full-time. There are flexible study options, and you can complete this qualification online. Payment concessions may be available for eligible students.

Australian College of Business Intelligence

Diploma of Business - BSB50120

Study method In-class Online

A business diploma delves into the knowledge and skills needed in various service job roles in the business world. It is excellent for those who want to advance their business administration career into senior positions. Topics covered range from administration to business operations and team leadership skills.

The average duration for this course is one year and can be studied part or full-time. Some providers offer online courses, and payment plans may be available for course fees.

Australian Institute of Personal Trainers

Related subjects

There are plenty of jobs for people with strong organisation, time management and people skills. Your natural soft skills and interests in office administration are incredibly flexible and can lead you on a career path into many other roles.

Does life as a business administrator sound perfect for you? If so, there is no shortage of helpful resources, articles and hints and tips so you can explore this career further.

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Take the Career Quiz

Job cluster: The Coordinator

What are job clusters?

The seven job clusters are sets of closely related jobs that share skills, making it easy to apply skills learned in one career to another.

The idea of the seven job clusters first appeared in a 2016 research report by the Foundation for Young Australians, titled “The New Work Mindset”. Researchers analysed thousands of online job advertisements and found that jobs are more similar than commonly thought — and the skills you gain in one position are easy to bring to another. In fact, they can help you get 13 other closely related jobs.

This model is a great way to think about 21st-century careers, where the average person changes career five times. We’ve used this framework (along with the much-loved Holland Codes model) to build a career quiz.

Why not take it and find out which job cluster feels like home?

Business administration requires process driven, organised and personable workers.

A role in this diverse and busy job is suitable for the career persona of The Coordinator. The Coordinator is a team player with excellent communication and a practical approach to work and prefers an organised environment.

Take the Career Quiz to discover what jobs are a great fit for you.

Learn More

Frequently asked questions

What makes a great business administrator?

A great business administrator is a good communicator, is great at decision making, has excellent time management skills and loves to be organised. Administrators with skills gained through training courses offer a strong foundation for this role, and employers highly regard qualifications.

What skills do you need to be a business administrator?

The essential skills for good administrators are time management, organisation and a desire to support a business with smooth systems and processes. You can pick up other valuable technical skills on the job or through prior training.

What are administration skills?

Natural and desired administration skills are great organisation, good communication skills, problem-solving and sharp attention to detail. Other skills include document handling, computer skills and office management.

How to become a Business Administrator: A Rewarding Career for Organised People

Intellectual Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Organising Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.

Analytical Based on our career survey data, these are the words that workers would use to describe their jobs.