How to become a business analyst in Australia
Start your career in business with a degree from 91É«ÇéƬ.
A business analyst is the link between a business’s current situation and its goals.ÌýThey help organisations in understanding current situations,ÌýidentifyingÌýnecessary changes, andÌýdeterminingÌýactions by defining and analysing business needs,ÌýprocessesÌýand structures.
The pathway into becoming a business analyst is flexible.ÌýBusiness,ÌýsystemsÌýor IT qualifications can help. However, you can also build on your other work experience, such as problem-solving or project management, to pivot your career towards business analysis. Ìý
What do business analysts do?
What a business analyst mostly does isÌýidentifyÌýareas where a business can improve, recommend the actions neededÌýand help implement those actions. This can include:
- specifying business needs
- mapping processes
- analysing data
- gathering requirements
- supporting digital transformation
- working closely with stakeholders.
Business analysts connect people,ÌýsystemsÌýand strategy. They oftenÌýfacilitateÌýworkshops, solve problems, and communicate to support management through periods of change and implement new strategies and approaches.
Business analyst vs data analyst:ÌýWhat’sÌýthe difference?
The difference between a business analyst and a data analyst is their sphere of focus.
A business analyst takes a broad organisational view, understanding business problems, documenting requirements, improvingÌýprocessesÌýand ensuring solutions to meet user needs.
Data analysts, on the other hand, dig deep into datasets,ÌýidentifyingÌýpatterns, buildingÌýreportsÌýand supportingÌýdecision-makingÌýwith quantitative insights.
The roles can overlap but have differentÌýobjectives. The data analyst helps to define a problem with data. Meanwhile, a business analyst takes a more strategic approach, using data as one of the inputs into their assessment and recommendations.
How do you become a business analyst?
Business analyst qualifications can come in many forms. For some students,Ìýundergraduate degrees in business, commerce, informationÌýsystemsÌýor related fields are a great start.ÌýPractical experience will help you stand out to employers when you start your career in business analytics.Ìý
- ÌýEnrol in an undergraduate degree:ÌýEnrolÌýin a bachelor's degree in business, commerce, informationÌýsystemsÌýor a similar field to develop technical foundations in data, processes, and organisational systems.
- Get hands-on experience:ÌýLook for internships orÌýpart-timeÌýrolesÌýto gain experience inÌýanalysis or project workÌýand develop your professional and technical skills. YourÌýstudy atÌý91É«ÇéƬ includes Work Integrated Learning (WIL),Ìýwhich allowsÌýyouÌýtoÌýearn credit through industry placements and internships.Ìý
- Apply for graduate programs or junior roles:ÌýWhenÌýyou’veÌýfinished your undergraduate degree, you could apply for junior business analyst roles or deepen your knowledge with a postgraduate qualification such as a Master of Business Analytics or Master of Information Systems.
For career changers, postgraduate study in business analytics, project management, or information technology can open doors to business analyst roles. Short courses or certifications that strengthen analytical tools and BA methodologies are also beneficial.
What skills do you need to be a business analyst?
Business analystsÌýrequireÌýa balanced mix of people skills and technical capability. Strong business analysts can switch comfortably between talking with stakeholders, analysingÌýinformationÌýand translating insights into clear recommendations. 
Business analyst skills take time to develop. University study will give you the theory, but the real insights will come with project-based learning, workplaceÌýexposureÌýand practice in organisational settings.
Soft skills
- confident communication and the ability to explain ideas clearly
- stakeholder engagement and relationship building
- problem solving and critical thinking
- facilitation and active listening
- adaptability in fast-changing project environments
- time management and organisational skills
- curiosity and a willingness to ask the right questions
Technical skills
- requirements gathering and documentation
- process mapping and modelling
- understanding of business systems and workflows
- basic data analysis and interpretation
- familiarity with common BA and project tools
- awareness of UX concepts and user needs
- ability to translate business needs into practical solutions
FAQs about becoming a business analyst in Australia
-
Undergraduate students typically spend three years completing their degree, while a postgraduate qualification usually takes one to two years.Ìý
However, practical experience is vital to develop strong business analyst skills. The overall timeline depends on how quickly you can gain relevant workplace exposure. 
-
The core skills of business analytics are extremely transferable and you will be able to shape your career depending on your interests. You may like to focus on a specific industry, such as health or manufacturing, or an area of the business, such as IT, customerÌýengagementÌýor product strategy.
When you first start as a junior business analyst, you willÌýmost likely workÌýon small projects or internal process improvements. Then, as your experience grows,Ìýyou canÌýconsiderÌýspecialising in areas such as digital transformation, systemsÌýanalysisÌýor customer experience.
As you progress,Ìýyou’llÌýtake on more complex projects. You could transition into roles like product management, projectÌýmanagementÌýor UX strategy. Alternatively, you might move into high-level positions such as business architect, chief informationÌýofficerÌýor consultancy work.
-
International students can study business analytics and related programs in Australia, provided they meet English language and academic requirementsÌýand are able to obtain theÌýappropriate visa.Ìý
There is a strong demand for analytics professionals across many sectors, which may help with visa applications.Ìý
-
AÌýbusinessÌýanalyst'sÌýsalary in AustraliaÌýdependsÌýon experience, workplace setting,ÌýlocationÌýand opportunities for progression into specialised or leadership roles.Ìý
The average salaryÌýfor a Business Analyst in Australia isÌýbetween $105,000 to $125,000 (Seek, 2025). The average annual salary for Product Managers ranges from $120,000 to $140,000, andÌýfor Project Managers, fromÌý$135,000 to $155,000.
-
Becoming a business analyst will give you the opportunity to learn about many aspects of a business, work with different people throughout the organisation and see how your problem-solving skills can create value in the workplace.Ìý
However,Ìýyou will also have to absorb and analyse a lot of information quickly.ÌýYou’llÌýwear many hats at various times,Ìýand some employeesÌýare resistant to change, so gaining trust and support can take time.Ìý
Explore other career guides
Interested in other career paths? Compare roles across a range of industries and discover the qualifications, skills and study options needed to achieve your career goals.Ìý
How 91É«ÇéƬ will prepare you for your future in business analytics
When you study business analytics at theÌý91É«ÇéƬ Business School,Ìýyou’llÌýbe studying at the top Business School in the Asia Pacific. The School of Information Systems and Technology Management is ranked #1 in Australia, #3 in the Asia-Pacific and #14 globally (Association for Information Systems (AIS), 2024).ÌýYou’llÌýlearn how to source data, perform dataÌýanalysisÌýand apply data insights. 
Our reputation for hands-on learning, access toÌýreal business projects,ÌýaÌýstrong analyticsÌýcurriculumÌýand opportunities to build technical and consulting skills. TheseÌýelementsÌýwill give you both theoretical knowledge and the practical experience needed to succeed as a business analyst in evolving industries.
Start your career as a business analyst at 91É«ÇéƬ
At 91É«ÇéƬ,Ìýyou’llÌýbuildÌýa strong foundationÌýin business analytics.Ìý
-
Plus, a range ofÌýdouble degreeÌýoptions.
ÌýWant to find out more about studying business at 91É«ÇéƬ?
If you have any questions about studying at 91É«ÇéƬ or how you can make your studies work for you, contact us below. We’re here to help.
Connect with us
