How to become a Physicist
Studies matter, space, time, energy, forces and fields, and the interrelationship between these physical phenomena to further understand the laws governing the behaviour of the universe, and seeks to apply these laws to solve practical problems and discover new information about the Earth, the universe and space weather.
Main tasks
- Conducts research to develop and improve theories and laws related to physics
- Develops methods and procedures to study, identify or characterise physical phenomena
- Studies the relationship between place and time related to celestial bodies
- Applies physics theories and techniques in the development and improvement of scientific, industrial and military applications
- Calculates, models and analyses physical and astronomical data
- Develops scientific models or theories to explain properties exhibited by the natural world
- Predicts and monitors solar flares, solar wind conditions, ionospheric irregularities, or geomagnetic and ionospheric storms
Ways in
- University: Science degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
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.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Physicist?
Ways in include: Science degrees.
How much does a Physicist earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $96,096 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Physicist 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 a Physicist?
Usually. 95% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Physicist?
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