How to become an Exercise and Sports Scientist
Researches and applies the science of exercise to design and deliver physical activity and exercise-based interventions to improve health, fitness, wellbeing and performance, and assist in the prevention of injury and chronic conditions. Provides expert advice and support to coaches, athletes and teams to help them understand and enhance sports performance.
Main tasks
- Screens and assesses health, movement, exercise and performance capacity of clients and athletes
- Researches, designs, modifies and applies assessment protocols and methods to analyse the demands of the sport and the capabilities of the athlete
- Records detailed client medical histories, exercise undertaken, and clients' responses and progress
- Researches, designs and delivers physical activity and exercise-based interventions to prevent injury, facilitate return to activity, manage risk factors for chronic conditions, and optimise sports performance
- Supports goal setting and sustainable behaviour change to help individuals achieve health, wellbeing, fitness and performance goals
- Provides health, physical activity and exercise education, advice and support in the context of sports performance
- Delivers exercise-based interventions prescribed by a qualified Health Professional for people with medical conditions, injuries or disabilities
- Develops and implements screening and preventative health promotion programs
- Provides general nutritional advice to enhance exercise performance, recovery and body composition
- Promotes and coordinates policies and programs to increase physical activity, maintain function and decrease sedentary behaviour
Ways in
- University: Allied Health degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia
- TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Fitness (SIS40221); Diploma of Kinesiology (HLT52415); Diploma of Sport (SIS50321)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $96,096 a year
- About 14,900 people work in this job group now, and about 18,500 are projected by 2035. (+24.7%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Related jobs
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become an Exercise and Sports Scientist?
Ways in include: Allied Health degrees; Certificate IV in Fitness; Diploma of Kinesiology.
How much does an Exercise and Sports Scientist earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $96,096 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is an Exercise and Sports Scientist a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 25% by 2035, from about 14,900 to about 18,500 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become an Exercise and Sports Scientist?
Usually. 97% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of an Exercise and Sports Scientist?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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