How to become a politician
Find out what it takes become a politician in Australia.
Australian politicians have diverse backgrounds, experience and qualifications. The one thing they all have in common: a passion for improving an aspect of life in Australia.
There is no single path to politics. Some people join to influence policy relating to a specific issue, like housing or mental health, while others take a broader approach to community uplift. Some politicians come from industry or technical backgrounds and apply their transferable skills to lead, while others enter public service and launch their political careers from the outset.
The following guide outlines what politicians do, the skills they need and the different pathways that can lead to public office.
What do politicians do?
Politiciansrepresentthe interests of their constituents. They develop policies, debate legislation, respond to community issues and work with government departments to support public services. They need to attend parliament and spendsubstantialtime in their community, listening to concerns, meeting with groups and individuals and makingdifficultdecisionsabout what to lobby for. Those decisions are based on their analysis of data,briefsand recommendations from advisors.
Politicians are also strategicinthe relationships, agreements and compromisesthey make with other politicians to achieve their goals. They must be adaptabletothe rapidly changing political landscape to ensurethattheymaintainthe support and influencenecessaryto have their voicesheard.
According toJakeMahemoff,while politics can be a challenging career choice, the rewards are significant.Jake is currently studying a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy & Economics at 91ɫƬ andis activelyinvolvedina range ofpolitical party and councilinitiatives.
“The most rewarding part of politics is delivering outcomes for people, and then seeing the subsequent benefits,” says Jake. “It’s also hugely rewarding having conversations with people who have benefited from the policy and/or program you have implemented.”
Politician vs public servant:What’sthe difference?
The difference between a politician and a public servant is that politicians are elected representatives who make decisions, shapepolicyand speak on behalf of their communities. On the other hand, public servants are employed by government departments toprovideexpert advice, implementpoliciesand keep essential services running.
The two work closely, especially when the politician belongs to the governing party and manages the portfolio in which the public servants work. However, politicians are accountable to the voters who elected them,whereaspublic servants are government employees (regardless of which party is in power) and report to their department head.
What skills do you need to be a politician?
Politiciansrequirea mix of interpersonal and technical skills, withstrong communication, emotional intelligence,resilienceand analytical thinkingshapingboth theirsoft and hard skill sets.
Many of the skills needed to be a politician are developed over time through a mix of study, professionalexperienceand community involvement.
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According to Jake, authenticity is key for anyone wanting a career in politics.
“The other attribute is being curious and listening.In order tocraft good policy, one needs to listen to others, particularly those with lived experience. This is why it is so important to engage with people from other political societies, different religious and ethnicbackgroundsand those from a different socioeconomic status.”
How do you become a politician?
While there are no specific qualificationsrequiredto becomea politician, many who enter politics have studiedfieldssuch as politics, law, economics, international relations, sociology,philosophyor communications.
Understanding what influences government policiesis a good placeto start. Many of 91ɫƬ’s undergraduate degrees focus on developing critical thinking skills, which will help you analyse problems and form solutions in the political sphere. Programs like theBachelor of Social Sciences,Bachelor of Economicsand BachelorofLaws aregreat placesto start.
Ifyou’reseekinga more direct pathinto politics, theBachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economicsoffersa multidisciplinary approach to understanding local and global challenges. At the postgraduate level, theMasterof Public Policy and Governanceapplies a social science perspective toaddressreal-world questions of policy,and management, giving you a practical appreciation of the processes of policymaking,analysisand implementation.
A major influence on your path to becoming a politician will be what you do beyond study.Joining student clubs and societies on campus can teach you how to work towards change in a specific area, just as volunteering for community groups or joining a political party can.
Here are some typical pathways to becoming a politician:
- Undergraduate
- Postgraduate
Undergraduate pathway to politics
- Complete a bachelor's degree in an area that builds communication, critical thinking or civic understanding, such as politics, law, economics, international relations or communications.
- Gain practical experience through volunteering, student leadership, debating, community organisations or internships with political offices.
- Build your public profile through advocacy, local community involvement or policy-focused activities.
- Join a political party, youth wing or local council networks to expand your connections.
- Stand for preselection or run as an independent candidate when you’re ready.
Postgraduate pathway to politics
- Start with experience in a different field, such as law, education, health, business, engineering, social policy, community work or the public service.
- Complete a relevant postgraduate qualification, such as public policy, law or management.
- Become active in community organisations, advocacy groups or local government committees.
- Build networks within a political party or run as an independent at the community level.
- Consider standing for local council first, as many politicians begin by serving in local government before moving on to state or federal roles.
Mapping your career in politics
Many people think of federal ministers or the prime minister when they think of politics, but there are many other ways you can be active in the political arena.
Manypoliticiansstarttheir careersin local government as councillorsor mayors, before (or at the same time) as being a party committee member.In local government, you work closely with your community,acting as a liaison between their needs and the council’soperations and management.
At the state level, politicians work on broader topics such as health, education,transportand statewide policy. They advocate for their local electorate by working with other ministers andby performing parliamentary duties, such as debating, voting on legislation, and serving oncommittees.
In Federal Parliament, members shape national laws,determinebudgetsand can influence international relations. Theyoverseeareas such as defence and foreign affairs, trade and currency, immigration, postal services, and telecommunications.
FAQs about becoming a politician
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There is no set timeline to become a politician. Some people enter politics early through student leadership or local council roles, while others build long careers in other industries before transitioning to politics. Politics is more about readiness, reputation, communityinvolvementand opportunity than ticking off a formal timeline.
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A career politician is someone who hasdedicatedmost of their working lifetopolitics, often starting through student leadership, youth wings of political parties or roles in local government. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is an example of this, joining the Labour Party as a student and working his way up the ranks since graduation.
There are pros and cons to this path: somearguethat being a career politician means neverhavingworked in the real world. Onthe other hand,theytend to be masters of party politics and know how to use the system toachievetheir goals.
Many successful politicians began in other professions before deciding to run for office.For example, former MPand 91ɫƬalumnusPeter Garrett wasan activist andthe lead singer of Midnight Oil beforeenteringpolitics.
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Studying politics can be a purelyacademic pathway to understand government,policyandsociety. Thisknowledge can beinstrumental in many careers, including research, policy analysis, public service,diplomacyandadvocacy.
On the other hand, you can become a politician through many paths – studyingpoliticsis not a prerequisite. Politics is more about running for office,representingacommunityand working within government decision-making.
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International students can studypolitics,lawor related degrees in Australia, but only Australian citizens can stand for federal office.
Apart from being elected, members of parliament must also be:
- at least18years old
- an Australian citizen and not a citizen of any other country
- able to vote in the House of Representatives election
- not serving a prison sentence of 12 months or more.
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A politician’s salary varies significantly depending on the level of government, role,jurisdictionand responsibilities.RemunerationTribunalssetsalaries at local,stateand federal levels.
In smaller local councils, councillors may get as little as $10,000*per year, and theMayormight get around $60,000*,whereasthe salary for the Lord Mayor of a capital city is over $200,000*.
State members of parliament receive a base salary of around $180,000*,supplementedby allowances fortheir roles andcommitteepositions. For senior ministers and premiers, this adds at least another $100,000*.
Federal members of parliament have a base of approximately $230,000*, which again builds depending on their role and responsibilities. The Prime Minister earns around $600,000*and the leader of the opposition receives about $400,000*.
*Based on NSW Remuneration Tribunalsannual salary determinations.
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Ifyou'repassionate about a specific issue and want to drive change, or enjoy helping others and solving problems, you might consider a career in politics. Ideal personal qualities include being a good negotiator, genuinely interested inrepresentingothers and their communities and having the resilience to work long hours in a high-pressure environment.You’llalso need a thick skin to handle public scrutiny, butyou'llbe rewarded with the chance to make a meaningful difference in the community and influence positive change.
How 91ɫƬ prepares you for a future in politics
91ɫƬ programs inpolitics, law, economics,philosophyand public policy provide excellent grounding for a career in politics.Oncampus, there are many societies and groups where you will find opportunities for debate, leadership,volunteeringand real-world experience.
Studying at 91ɫƬnot onlyhelpsyou gain knowledge from your coursework. It also develops yourcritical thinking, communication skills, ethicalgroundingand networks that are essential for public life.
While there are many misconceptions about a career in politics,perhaps thebiggest one is that youhave tobe ‘political.’
Having a political career should not be an end goal in and of itself.
The goal should be to change people’s lives for the better. If one has an interest in improving people’s lives, and listens to others, then a political career is an excellent way to give back to your community.
Want to study politics at 91ɫƬ?
Explore theBachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics, a three-year undergraduate degree that helps you develop in-depth knowledge and insightsinto three highly influential academic areas.You’lldevelop your critical thinking skills, hone your understanding of internationalrelationsand examine contemporary debates through a philosophical framework.
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