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Data science courses
3 data science qualifications in Australia, compared side by side: cost, duration, providers and where each one leads.
- Qualifications
- 3
on this page
- Providers
- 13
across all qualifications
- Median pay
- $101,400–$124,800
across roles in this field
- Employment growth*
- +22%
3 of 3 roles in shortage
Which of these is right for you?
We don't recommend one provider over another, but four things usually decide which qualification is the right one to start with.
- How much time can you give it?
- A certificate usually runs months, not years, and gets you working sooner. A degree is a multi-year commitment, but it's the only route into a registered profession like pharmacist.
- Do you want to study online, on campus, or both?
- Check each qualification's study modes below. Some are online only, some require placements or on-campus units even in a mostly online course.
- What's your entry point?
- If you're starting from school leaver or career change with no background in the field, the lowest rung on the ladder is usually the realistic start, not the top qualification.
- Which role are you aiming for?
- Some roles need one specific qualification. Others accept several. The roles section below says which qualification on this page actually gets you there.
The data science qualifications
3 qualifications in this field. Each links through to cost, duration and the providers that teach it.
Degrees
Bachelor of Data Science
6 providersBachelor degree3 yearsData AnalystData EngineerData ScientistView qualification →Graduate Certificate in Data Science
5 providersGraduate certificate0.5 yearsView qualification →Undergraduate Certificate in Data Science
2 providersOther Undergraduate Award Course0.5 yearsView qualification →
What data science study leads to
The 3 roles where a data science qualification is a recognised route in, which qualification on this page it is, and what else you need.

Data Analyst
The direct route is the Bachelor of Data Science. Complete relevant data-science coursework and projects. Data engineering also requires practical database and programming capability; employer requirements vary.
Median salary for the role
$101,400
A year, before tax. Median for everyone in the occupation, not a graduate starting salary. Indicative estimate, not yet verified against official Jobs and Skills Australia / ABS data, Estimate.

Data Engineer
The direct route is the Bachelor of Data Science. Complete relevant data-science coursework and projects. Data engineering also requires practical database and programming capability; employer requirements vary.
Median salary for the role
$111,800
A year, before tax. Median for everyone in the occupation, not a graduate starting salary. Indicative estimate, not yet verified against official Jobs and Skills Australia / ABS data, Estimate.

Data Scientist
The direct route is the Bachelor of Data Science. Complete relevant data-science coursework and projects. Data engineering also requires practical database and programming capability; employer requirements vary.
Median salary for the role
$124,800
A year, before tax. Median for everyone in the occupation, not a graduate starting salary. Indicative estimate, not yet verified against official Jobs and Skills Australia / ABS data, Estimate.