Data Science, an Emerging Career in Australia

Proclaimed the sexiest job of the 21st century, data science is the latest trend in the IT industry. While the hype around data science is still relatively new, its roots stem from the field of data analysis which goes back to 1985. The definition of the term has evolved over time, and data science expanded to include machine learning and artificial intelligence, resulting to emerge as a recognized and specialized field. Data Science is the study and organization of data using statistics and scientific computing in order to predict trends and identify patterns. A data scientist analyses and examines the derived data providing effective insight for businesses and minimizing the chance of error and fraud.

After the pandemic, while many industries were barely surviving, the IT industry remained resilient.  With the rate of employability predicted to grow 36% from 2021 to 2031, this fast-growing industry is flourishing. One might assume with the latest hype around data science, getting job opportunities is intensely competitive. Yet, there is a huge gap in the demand for data scientists and their supply as this field is still relatively new. This makes it easier to bag open jobs and 61% of data scientist jobs are readily available to those with only a bachelor’s degree. To meet the exponential growth and interest in this field, universities have been investing in improving their data science curriculum and facilities and universities like Curtin University have been offering scholarship opportunities to students.

Study Data Science in Australia

Australia is one of the most preferred countries for higher education due to its high-quality education and safe environment for students. Some of the top universities for studying data science in Australia are listed below.

Curtin University

Curtin University is ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world. The university offers a 3-year Bachelor’s degree in science majoring in Data Science. It also offers a 2-year Master’s degree in Predictive Analytics majoring in Data Science, which is the only master's degree course in predictive analytics in Australia. International students will be provided with a 25% scholarship during their first year at the university. 

Murdoch University

Murdoch University offers a double Master’s degree majoring in data science. This 2-year postgraduate qualification will develop the skills and techniques required to work with big data and make sense of complex structures and ideas in the world of business. The university is offering a 20% scholarship to international students.

Monash University

Monash University is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. Master of Data Science from Monash provides you with skills in data management, data analytics, and data processing which are crucial in this advancing industry. The university provides the most up-to-date material and expands your knowledge of the analytical, organizational, and computational aspects of data. The graduates of this university are highly sought after in the industry.

Australian National University (ANU)

Australia National University is ranked as the #1 university in Australia. The university offers a three-year Bachelor of Applied Data Analytics degree, which is designed to address a global shortage of graduates with skills in data analytics. The course develops interdisciplinary knowledge across the three base disciplines of computing, statistics, and social science.

RMIT University

RMIT University is ranked as one of the world’s leading universities, which specializes in practical and industry-based learning. The 3-year course offered by RMIT University will develop skills in data analytics, statistics, and computer science and provide hands-on experience using Python and R programming languages. After the completion of this course, you will be able to advance your career in a range of data-driven industries and organizations.

Career Opportunities for Data Scientists

Data Scientists and Analysts are very much in demand as they are needed in a variety of fields ranging from finance to health, making it one of the top five highest-paying jobs in Australia.  The average base salary for a data scientist in Australia is around $112,000. A data science student has numerous career opportunities from becoming a data specialist, to specializing in products or engineering. Companies in Australia like Accenture, EY, and Hipages are heavily recruiting data scientists and will continue to do so in the future.  Data Science increases the rate of profitability and consumer satisfaction so businesses are heavily dependent on it and the need for data scientists will only increase with time.

Data Scientists are currently working to advance AI, combining it with robotics. With the invention of automated cars, smarter computers, and intelligent autonomous AI, data science will enable huge breakthroughs in the future. It has the capability to revolutionize healthcare, businesses and transportation. This field is growing exponentially and is a lucrative option for a career path. It is predicted that data science roles will increase by 31% annually over a decade so there has never been a better time to start your career in data science.

Take your first step by getting in touch with our expert counselors to find the best university and scholarship opportunities for you.