ANZSCO 2345

Life Scientists

Overview

EMPLOYED

9,700

PART-TIME SHARE

16%

FEMALE SHARE

67%

MEDIAN WEEKLY EARNINGS

$1,948

MEDIAN AGE

39

ANNUAL EMPLOYMENT GROWTH

-200

About this data

Summary

Life Scientists examine the anatomy, physiology and biochemistry of humans, animals, plants and other living organisms to better understand how living organisms function and interact with each other and the environment in which they live.

Tasks

  • Designing and conducting experiments, making observations and measurements, researching information, analysing data, preparing or supervising the preparation of laboratory reports and scientific papers, presenting findings at scientific meetings and conferences, and supervising the work of staff
  • Studying the forms and structures of bodily organs and tissues by systematic observation, dissection and microscopic examination
  • Investigating the chemical structure and function of living cells and their isolated components, organs and tissues in humans, animals, plants, and micro-organisms
  • Examining micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, yeast and their enzymes, and using the knowledge gained to create and develop new, and improve existing, products, materials and processes
  • Investigating the effects of environmental factors, such as rainfall, temperature, sunlight, soil, topography and disease, on plant growth
  • Planning and undertaking experiments to study, measure and understand marine animals and plants
  • Studying the growth and characteristics of micro-organisms, such as bacteria, algae and fungi, and the effects they have on plants, animals and humans to develop medical, veterinary, industrial, environmental and other practical applications
  • Investigating the interrelationships between animals in their natural surroundings, in captivity and in laboratories

ANZSCO Classification

Details

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    Earnings and Hours

    Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)
    Source: Share of workers who work full-time hours: ABS, Labour Force Survey, 2023, four-quarter average, customised report.
    Average full-time hours worked per week: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Median full-time earnings per week and Median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2023, customised report. Note: median earnings data have not been produced for some occupations where there is a high standard error, and are published with "N/A" values.
    Earnings and Hours Life Scientists All Occupations
    Share of workers who work full-time hours 84% 70%
    Average full-time hours worked per week 42 hours 44 hours
    Median full-time earnings per week $1,948 $1,697
    Median hourly earnings $54 $43

    Industries

    Life Scientists work in industries like:

    Source: Ranked using ABS, Labour Force Survey, 2023, four-quarter average data, custom report.
    Note: industries that comprise less than 5% of an occupation have been suppressed.

    States and territories

    New South Wales

    27.1%

    Victoria

    24.4%

    Queensland

    15.8%

    South Australia

    8.6%

    Tasmania

    3.5%

    Northern Territory

    2.9%

    Australian Capital Territory

    4.2%

    Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, Detailed, August 2024, Jobs and Skills Australia trend data.

    Age and gender

    Age and Gender Profile
    Source: ABS, Labour Force Survey, 2023, four-quarter average, customised report.
    Age and Gender Life Scientists All Occupations
    Median age 39 years 39 years
    Female share of employment 67% 48%
    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Age Profile (% Share) All Occupations Life Scientists
    15–19 5.2 0.2
    20–24 9.1 5.2
    25–34 22.7 29.9
    35–44 22.3 29.3
    45–54 20.4 19.3
    55–59 8.8 6.6
    60–64 6.5 5.1
    65 and Over 4.9 4.3

    Education

    Source: ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on place of usual residence.
    Highest Level of Educational Attainment (% Share) All Occupations Life Scientists
    Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 12.2 54.3
    Bachelor degree 23.2 38.1
    Advanced Diploma/Diploma 11.1 2.9
    Certificate III/IV 19.5 1.3
    Year 12 15.9 1.5
    Year 11 4.0 0.2
    Year 10 and below 9.7 0.4
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      Occupation profiles data

      This file contains data displayed on the Occupation Profile pages.

      Use of data in this file must include the relevant attribution text provided.

      Occupation profiles data - August 2024.xlsx

      occupation_profiles_data_-_august_2024.xlsx9088333

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      Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations

      Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is the skill-based classification system used to categorise occupations in the Australian and New Zealand labour markets. ANZSCO provides a basis for the standardised collection, analysis and dissemination of occupation data. Visit the ABS website to learn how ANZSCO works. Jobs and Skills Australia displays data for occupations that are defined by ANZSCO 2013 Version 1.3.