Communications Manager (Public Relations)

A Communications Manager (Public Relations) develops and executes communication strategies to shape and protect an organisation's public image and stakeholder relationships. They create messaging for media, social platforms, and internal audiences; manage media relations and crisis communication; and measure the effectiveness of campaigns against business objectives. This role works across government, corporate, and not-for-profit sectors in Australia.

Develop and implement integrated communications strategies aligned with organisational goals and brand positioning. Draft and distribute press releases, media statements, and news articles to external media outlets and journalists. Build and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, and media contacts across print, broadcast, and digital channels. Monitor media coverage and public sentiment using social listening tools and analytics platforms. Create and curate content for social media platforms, managing tone, frequency, and community engagement. Prepare organisational spokespeople for media interviews and public appearances, including message development and briefing. Develop crisis communication protocols and messaging frameworks to manage reputational threats and negative publicity. Coordinate internal communications campaigns via newsletters, intranet platforms, and town halls to align employee understanding with organisational messaging.

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're on call during crises: a major scandal at 11pm on a Sunday could mean you're working. Burnout from managing competing stakeholder demands is real.

Regional employment is thin except in state government centres. Practically speaking, metro areas dominate.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 1311, 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.

• Conflict Resolutioncore
• Correspondence Draftingcore
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivitycore
• Digital Literacycore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Negotiationcore
• Process Improvement Identificationcore
• Report Writingcore
• Reporting and Analyticscore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Active Listening
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
• Multichannel Customer Support
• Process Documentation
• Regulatory and Legislative Awareness
• Risk Identification
• 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.

What Communications Manager (Public Relations) workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 30 October 2026