Graphic Designer

A graphic designer creates visual communications and digital assets for clients or organisations across print, web, and multimedia platforms. They use design software and typography principles to develop layouts, branding materials, marketing collateral, and user interface elements that meet client briefs and brand guidelines. The role typically involves translating client requirements into visual concepts, refining designs based on feedback, and delivering production-ready files in appropriate formats and colour spaces.

Interpret client briefs and design requirements to establish project scope, target audience, and visual objectives. Develop visual concepts and mood boards using Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop) or equivalent software. Apply typography, colour theory, and layout principles to create cohesive designs across print and digital formats. Design branding assets including logos, brand guidelines, business cards, and letterhead templates. Create marketing collateral such as posters, flyers, social media graphics, and email campaign templates. Design user interface elements and page layouts for websites and mobile applications using wireframing and prototyping tools. Produce print-ready files with correct specifications for colour mode (CMYK), resolution (300 dpi), and bleed settings. Source, license, or commission photography, illustrations, and stock imagery appropriate to design concepts.

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 master expensive Adobe software and stay current with it constantly. Pay caps out lower than developers doing similar technical work. Client feedback loops are gruelling - expect endless revisions and scope creep. Your work gets used without credit. Job security depends on having a strong portfolio, which takes years to build properly.

Most work concentrates in media, marketing, and tech companies rather than regional areas. Remote work is common but entry-level roles usually want you in the office.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2324, 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.

• Adaptability and Flexibilitycore
• Adobe Photoshopcore
• Attention to Detailcore
• Customer Needs Assessmentcore
• Digital Literacycore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Workflow Prioritisationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Adapt to type of media
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Email Management
• Feedback Collection and Actioning
• Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive)
• Invoicing and Billing Administration
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
• Process Improvement Identification
• Research and Analysis

• 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 Graphic Designer workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 30 October 2026