How to become a Data Architect
Designs, develops and manages complex data models within an organisation.
Main tasks
- Develops and maintains a data architecture strategy aligned with business objectives and data management principles
- Assesses appropriate technologies for data management, storage, analysis and disposal for the organisation
- Designs conceptual data models and implements metadata standards to provide a clear understanding of organisational data assets
- Defines data flow, data usage and data integration processes within an organisation
- Designs, develops and implements physical databases or data warehouses to support requirements for transactional data, business intelligence and data analytics
- Assesses proposed changes to object or data structures, and evaluates alternative options
Ways in
- University: Architecture & Built Environment degrees, Offered by 24 universities in Australia
- TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Information Technology (ICT60220); Diploma of Information Technology (ICT50220)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $131,924 a year
- About 186,100 people work in this job group now, and about 235,700 are projected by 2035. (+26.7%)
- Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Data Architect?
Ways in include: Architecture & Built Environment degrees; Advanced Diploma of Information Technology; Diploma of Information Technology.
How much does a Data Architect earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $131,924 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Data Architect a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 27% by 2035, from about 186,100 to about 235,700 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Data Architect?
Usually. 87% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Data Architect?
Many tasks in this job could be automated by AI. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as high.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04