Launch your science + space career, without leaving Earth
Figure you’d have to head to NASA to land a successful career in space? Think again! With Australia’s space industry on track to triple in size by 2030, the sector is buzzing with employers on a mission to hire science grads.
Speed of light
Since the launch of the Australian Space Agency in 2018, the industry has seriously taken off. With the help of tech-savvy graduates, it has supported more than 15,000 jobs, with a goal to create another 20,000 by 2030! The best bit for wannabe space scientists? Space hubs (and jobs) can be found all over the country – from the ACT (Geoscience Australia) to Queensland (Gilmour Space Technologies) and South Australia (Neumann Space).
Major perk!
Space needs gamers! Yep, the same 3D modelling, virtual reality and simulation tools used to design video
games are also used to plan rover missions, control satellites and even train astronauts.
Choose your trajectory
Pathways are as diverse as the jobs going – it just depends where you want to land! A Bachelor of Science could skill you up to become an astrophysicist, meteorologist or planetary scientist, while a computer science
degree could lead to careers in data analysis, satellite science and Earth observation. Then there are the VET-to-space pathways in areas like aerospace manufacturing, drafting and avionics, where diplomas, internships and apprenticeships are increasingly supported by industry partners, including the Australian Space Agency. Whatever you choose, picking your pathway is a great first step into space!
Mission control
Home to the Australian Space Agency, along with satellite giants Fleet Space Technologies and Myriota, Adelaide has become a buzzing industry hub.
Start your career here
Science + Space + Study
- Bachelor Science (Astronomy and Astrophysics), Macqaurie university
- Bachelor of Science (Physics), QUT
- Bachelor of Space Science, RMIT
- Advanced Diploma of Engineering, TAFE Queensland
Science + Space + Jobs
- Astrophysicist $59K–$121K
- Avionics engineer $71K–$111K
- Robotics engineer $56K–$100K
- Data analyst $60K–$114K
*Salaries according to payscale.com
This article first appeared in Careers with STEM: Science 2026.
