How to become a Retail Manager

Official title: Retail Manager (General)

Also called: Retail Store Manager, Shop Manager

Organises and controls the operations of a general retail trading establishment.

Main tasks

• Manages the daily operations of retail establishments
• Manages and supervises staff, including hiring, rostering, training and performance evaluation
• Develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure efficient and effective operations
• Monitors and analyses sales and financial data
• Manages retail establishment finances, including budgeting and financial reporting
• Develops and maintains relationships with suppliers, and negotiates contracts and pricing
• Implements marketing and promotional activities to attract and retain customers
• Resolves customer complaints and ensures high levels of customer satisfaction

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Diploma of Retail Leadership (SIR50116); Diploma of Retail Merchandise Management (SIR50317); Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB50420); Advanced Diploma of Banking Services Management (FNS60622); Certificate III in Interior Decoration Retail Services (MSF31018); Certificate III in Retail (SIR30216); Certificate II in Retail Services (SIR20216); Certificate IV in Leadership and Management (BSB40520)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $84,240 a year
• About 250,700 people work in this job group now, and about 267,700 are projected by 2035. (+6.8%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Antique Dealer
• Post Office Manager

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Retail Manager?

Ways in include: Diploma of Retail Leadership; Diploma of Retail Merchandise Management.

How much does a Retail Manager earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $84,240 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Retail Manager a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 7% by 2035, from about 250,700 to about 267,700 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Retail Manager?

Usually not. Only 23% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Diploma of Retail Leadership; Diploma of Retail Merchandise Management.

Will AI change the work of a Retail Manager?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

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