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How to Become a Historian: Australian Careers in Arts and Humanities

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What is a Historian?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Historian?

A historian researches, analyses, and interprets the past to help people understand how history has shaped the present. They work across a wide range of settings: universities, government agencies, museums, and cultural institutions.

Historians gather data from archives, court records, diaries, newspapers, and physical artefacts. They check the authenticity of each source before drawing conclusions. Their findings appear in written reports, books, journal articles, lectures, and public exhibitions.

Day-to-day tasks vary by employer. An academic historian may spend most of their time on research and teaching. A government or corporate historian may focus on policy advice, heritage reports, or official histories. A museum historian might design public programs or write exhibition content.

History graduates work in a wide range of fields. A history degree builds critical thinking, research, and writing skills. These transfer well to law, journalism, policy, and the arts. A Bachelor of Arts with a History major is the standard starting point for most professional paths in the field.

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Career snapshots For Historians

Historians in Australia work across a range of sectors. Most roles are in education, government, heritage, and cultural bodies. The average annual salary is around $115,000 (SEEK, 2025). Typical pay ranges from $95,000 to $135,000 depending on experience and sector.

The ANZSCO code for Historian is 272411. Employment demand is steady, with ongoing needs in public history, heritage, and government policy (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). The median age of employed historians is around 54 years, which reflects the experience the profession values (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). Many historians work part-time or on a contract basis, in both consulting and academia.

Historians with an Honours degree can join a Professional Historians Association (PHA). PHA membership provides accreditation and access to training, events, and job networks (Professional Historians Australia, 2025).

What will I do?

Historians collect and check evidence from the past. They combine source analysis with clear writing. The exact mix of tasks depends on the sector: academia, government, heritage, and cultural bodies all employ historians.

  • Collect source material: search archives, court records, diaries, and newspapers for relevant data.
  • Check sources: assess the origin, date, and accuracy of each document before drawing conclusions.
  • Analyse the evidence: look at political, social, and cultural sources to build a clear picture of the past.
  • Write and publish: produce articles, books, policy briefs, and exhibition text for a range of readers.
  • Give talks and lectures: share research at seminars, conferences, and public events.
  • Work with partners: join archivists, curators, and fellow researchers at museums and government agencies.
  • Advise on heritage: give expert input on site assessments, reports, and public history projects.

What skills do I need?

A historian’s most important skill is research. They spend much of their time finding, reading, and checking primary sources in archives and libraries. Analytical thinking helps them decide if a source is reliable and what it reveals about a broader question.

Clear writing is also essential. Historians write for many different audiences. They need to adapt their style for academic peers, general readers, and policy clients. Public speaking matters too. Many historians teach, lecture, or present at conferences and community events. Time management and the ability to work independently keep long research projects on track.

Skills/attributes

  • Research and archival skills
  • Analytical and critical thinking
  • Attention to detail
  • Strong written communication
  • Ability to evaluate and check sources
  • Public speaking and presentation
  • Time management
  • Ability to work independently
  • Collaboration and teamwork
  • Knowledge of historical methods
  • Familiarity with archival systems and databases
  • Understanding of cultural and social contexts
  • Adaptability across different research topics
  • Report and publication writing

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About the author

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.