Microbiologist

A microbiologist conducts laboratory analysis of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa to identify pathogens, support clinical diagnosis, or monitor environmental and food safety. They work in clinical pathology laboratories, food testing facilities, pharmaceutical research, or public health settings across Australia, performing culture techniques, microscopy, and molecular analysis to produce reliable test results for medical, regulatory, or research purposes.

Prepare and culture microorganism samples using aseptic technique on selective and differential media to isolate and identify pathogens. Perform Gram staining and microscopic examination of bacterial smears to determine morphology and Gram classification. Conduct antimicrobial susceptibility testing using disc diffusion or broth microdilution methods to guide clinical therapy decisions. Execute molecular identification techniques including PCR, DNA sequencing, or MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry to confirm organism identification. Operate and maintain laboratory analysers and incubators, including calibration checks and quality control protocols. Perform serological tests including blood grouping, antibody detection, and immunological assays relevant to infectious disease diagnosis. Analyse environmental or food samples for presence of specified pathogens or indicator organisms to ensure compliance with food safety standards and public health regulations. Record and report laboratory results with appropriate interpretation codes and reference ranges in accordance with NATA accreditation requirements.

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.

Getting into this role as a career changer means you'll need a bachelor's degree in microbiology or a related science field, which takes 3 to 4 years of study. The work is repetitive bench work in a lab, often with limited progression to management without further qualifications. Pay is modest compared to other science graduates, and you'll be dealing with infectious materials daily, which carries real health and safety responsibility.

Jobs cluster around hospital pathology labs, diagnostic companies like Sonic Healthcare, and food testing facilities in metro areas. Regional and remote Australia has fewer positions. Some work is possible in pharmaceutical companies and food manufacturers across different states, but opportunity is heavily concentrated in capital cities.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2345, 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
• Health Terminology Literacycore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Digital Literacy
• Incident Reporting
• Microsoft Excel Data Management
• Process Documentation
• Process Improvement Identification
• Stakeholder Communication
• Time Management and Prioritisation
• Verbal Communication

• 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