Aquaculture or Fisheries Scientist

An aquaculture or fisheries scientist conducts research and applied investigations into fish, crustacean, and mollusc populations, breeding systems, and farm management in Australian marine and freshwater environments. They design and execute field and laboratory studies to optimise production yields, disease management, and environmental sustainability, while ensuring compliance with fisheries legislation and aquaculture licensing requirements. Their work directly informs commercial operations, policy development, and conservation outcomes across Australia's aquaculture and wild-capture fisheries sectors.

Design and conduct field surveys to assess fish stock biomass, age structure, and recruitment patterns using acoustic technology, net sampling, and population modelling. Collect water and organism samples from aquaculture farms and natural waterways for analysis of salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, and pathogenic organisms. Conduct hatchery trials to evaluate selective breeding programmes, feed formulations, and larval rearing conditions for commercial species such as barramundi, Atlantic salmon, and bivalves. Monitor growth rates, feed conversion efficiency, and survival rates of cultured species using electronic weighing systems and mortality records. Perform necropsy and tissue analysis to diagnose disease agents (bacteria, viruses, parasites) in farmed fish populations and recommend biosecurity interventions. Analyse genetic data using molecular markers and sequencing to assess population structure, inbreeding coefficients, and disease resistance traits. Model fishery dynamics using stock assessment software (e.g. Stock Synthesis, ADMB) to forecast sustainable catch levels and inform management of wild-capture fisheries. Compile and interpret data from environmental monitoring sensors and loggers to assess impacts of farming operations on sediment quality, nutrient cycling, and benthic communities.

The standard entry pathway requires a bachelor degree or higher (ABS Skill Level 1). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

You'll need to accept being based in regional Australia where farms and research stations actually are: Tasmania, South Australia, or far north Queensland. Many positions are contract-based tied to research grants that end. You'll spend a lot of time in wet conditions doing field sampling and lab necropsies (cutting up dead fish to find diseases).

Remote work is rare. The work is anchored to water: you can't do it from a capital city desk.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2341, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Attention to Detailcore
• Data Entry and Accuracycore
• Microsoft Excel Data Managementcore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Reporting and Analyticscore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Community Development
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Digital Literacy
• Goal Setting and Planning
• Incident Reporting
• Negotiation
• Policy and Procedure Adherence
• Process Documentation
• Team Collaboration

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

Last updated: 30 October 2026