Tasha Williams, Content Marketing SpecialistAuthor
October 26, 2022
3 min read

Data science is one of the fastest-growing sectors, so it’s no surprise that there is a high demand for data scientists. Successful Data Scientists are analytical individuals who have strong mathematical and communication skills.  

Entering a career as a data scientist requires you to have strong technical skills and be confident with programming in a variety of languages such as Python, SQL, SAS and R, but what else do you need? Find out how to become a data scientist in Australia.  

What does a data scientist do? 

A data scientist is someone who looks for patterns in large amounts of raw data sets for organisations so they can make data-driven business decisions. They discover insights that can be used to improve quality of life or solve practical problems. The work typically involves taking data from smart devices, streaming services, social media feeds and emails and making sense of it. 

Tasks and duties: 

Data scientists have many responsibilities. These include 

  • Collecting large-scale organised and unorganised data 
  • Formulating and applying algorithms and mathematical models 
  • Deriving key insights to resolve complex issues by analysing raw data to spot patterns, relationships and trends  
  • Transforming data into visualisations and data models (eg using excel and graphs) to easily communicate findings to personnel and stakeholders 

Key data scientist skills: 

By developing these technological and soft skills, you can set yourself up as a viable candidate for a data science role by engaging with targeted education designed to help you enter the profession.  

Here are some hard skills that successful data scientists should focus on developing:  

  • Computer programming languages (particularly Python and R) 
  • Linear algebra 
  • Statistical analysis 
  • Machine learning 
  • Social network analysis 
  • Data mining, projecting, and interpretation 
  • Business strategy analysis 
  • Database administration and maintenance  

It’s not just technical skills that lead to success in data science, soft skills play an important role in managing and decision-making that can make you a well-rounded employee.  

  • Communication and Presentation skills 
  • Data visualisation 
  • Listening skills 
  • Problem-solving 
  • A willingness to learn
  • Critical thinking 
  • Drive and resilience  
  • Planning, time management and organisational skills 
  • Attention to detail 
  • Probability and statistics
  • Data analysis 
  • Statistical modelling 
  • Big data 

What are the potential career paths for data scientists? 

The demand for data scientists is growing rapidly, and the career prospects are very good. Data scientists with the necessary skills and experience can find jobs in a variety of industries and sectors, such as:  

  • Academia 
  • eCommerce 
  • Finance 
  • Government 
  • Health 
  • Information technology 
  • Retail
  • Scientific research  

How much does a data scientist earn? 

According to Glassdoor, the national average salary for a Data Scientist in Australia is $114,500. Entry-level positions start at $80,000 per annum, while most experienced workers make up to $150k per annum. 

Like many careers, salaries can vary depending on several factors including 

  • Experience 
  • Qualifications 
  • Location 
  • Sector worked in 

Continued professional development for data scientists: 

The field of data science is continuously changing and evolving. Keeping aware of changes and continually developing your skills will ensure your career is sustainable. 

Continued professional development is required in any profession. It helps you develop and enhance your abilities.  Keeping your knowledge and skills updated throughout your career as a data scientist will ensure your competence develops and puts you in a great position for new roles and promotions.  

Explore our online courses in data science and keep your knowledge up to date.