CourseFinder logo – Australia’s leading course comparison site

How to Become a Meeting Planner: Australian Careers in Event Management

0 Course

On this page

What is a Meeting Planner?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Meeting Planner?

A meeting planner organises and runs conferences, meetings, and events for businesses across Australia. They manage everything from venue choice to on-the-day logistics. The goal is to make sure every event meets the client’s aims and stays on budget.

Meeting planners work across many sectors, including corporate, government, not-for-profit, and tourism. On any given day they may inspect a venue, sign a catering deal, or fix an AV problem. A cool head and strong time skills are key.

Around 31,200 people work as conference and event organisers in Australia (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). The field grew back strongly after COVID-19. Demand for skilled planners keeps growing as more groups return to in-person events.

Most planners work for event firms, hotels, or big organisations. Some set up their own practice once they have a solid client base. The career path runs from event coordinator right through to event director.

Icon

Career snapshots For Meeting Planners

About 31,200 people work as conference and event organisers in Australia (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). The median full-time weekly wage is $1,634, equivalent to around $85,000 a year. Workers average 41 hours per week, with 75% in full-time roles.

The median age is 38, and 72% of the workforce is female (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Employment grows by roughly 100 new roles a year. Meeting planners work across event management companies, hotels, government agencies, and large corporations.

What will I do?

Meeting planners run the full event lifecycle, from client brief to post-event wrap-up. They are the key point of contact for clients, vendors, and venues throughout every project.

  • Client consultation: discussing event goals, audience, budget, and timeline with clients
  • Venue selection: researching and inspecting venues, then negotiating contract terms
  • Budget management: creating and tracking budgets to keep costs within agreed limits
  • Vendor coordination: booking and briefing caterers, AV technicians, decorators, and transport providers
  • Event scheduling: building detailed run sheets and timelines for each event
  • Logistics planning: arranging accommodation, transport, and registration for attendees
  • On-site management: running the event floor on the day and fixing issues as they arise
  • Post-event review: gathering feedback and writing summary reports for clients

What skills do I need?

Meeting planners draw on a mix of organisational, communication, and commercial skills every day. Strong attention to detail is essential. So is the ability to manage multiple tasks at once without dropping any.

Good budget skills matter too. Planners write and track event budgets, negotiate with suppliers, and handle last-minute changes without losing control of costs. Problem-solving and calm thinking under pressure are just as important as planning skills. Events rarely go exactly to plan.

Skills/attributes

  • Strong organisational skills
  • Budget management and cost control
  • Negotiation and contract management
  • Vendor and supplier coordination
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem-solving under pressure
  • Project management
  • Proficiency in event management software
  • Client relationship management
  • Time management
  • Creativity and event design
  • Leadership and team coordination
  • Risk assessment and contingency planning
  • Networking and relationship building

CourseFinder makes every effort to ensure the information we provide is correct at the time of publication. We welcome your input to help keep our career profiles as accurate and up to date as possible. All queries and feedback will be taken into consideration as we conduct periodic reviews of our content. Add your voice to the conversation!

Related Careers

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.