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How to Become an Office Manager: Australian Careers in Practice Management

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What is a Office Manager?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Office Manager?

An Office Manager runs the daily work of an office. They manage staff, records, and systems to keep things moving. They are the core of any business, making sure people, tools, and tasks all work well together.

Office Managers plan office services, set priorities, and share out space and equipment. They check staff work and handle records and accounts. They also make sure the office follows health, safety, and legal rules.

Staff management is a big part of the role. Office Managers run hiring, training, payroll, and performance reviews. This makes them a key link between frontline staff and the people who lead the business.

About 140,600 people work as Office Managers in Australia (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Around 81% of the workforce is female. The role spans sectors such as professional services, health care, and construction.

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Career snapshots For Office Managers

Office Managers are a stable, sought-after part of the Australian workforce. Around 140,600 people hold this role (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Work is spread across many sectors, with the most in professional services, health care, and construction.

The median full-time weekly pay is $1,730 (ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025). That equals about $90,000 per year. Around 3,000 new positions are added each year (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025).

Around 81% of Office Managers are female and 66% work full-time. The median age is 47. The average full-time week is 41 hours (ABS Labour Force Survey, 2025).

What will I do?

An Office Manager keeps the whole office running. They oversee systems, manage staff, and make sure every part of the workplace works well. Below are the core tasks they carry out each day.

  • Plan and review office services, setting priorities and service standards.
  • Allocate resources, including staff, space, and equipment.
  • Assign work to staff and monitor their performance.
  • Manage the office records and financial accounts.
  • Liaise with other professionals to coordinate office work and fix issues.
  • Oversee buildings, equipment, and maintenance needs.
  • Make sure the office meets workplace health and safety laws.
  • Ensure all operations follow relevant government policies and procedures.
  • Coordinate personnel activities: hiring, promotions, payroll, training, and performance reviews.

What skills do I need?

A good Office Manager brings a mix of people skills and hands-on know-how to the role. Strong organisation is at the core. They handle many tasks at once and keep complex systems on track.

Good communication is just as vital. Office Managers deal with staff, clients, and outside contacts every day. Being clear and direct helps avoid problems and keeps the office running well.

Leadership and problem-solving skills matter too. Office Managers lead teams, set work standards, and step in to fix issues as they come up. A calm, practical approach is a real asset.

Tech skills and financial know-how round things out. Being good with office software helps with records and reports. A basic grasp of accounts and budgets lets Office Managers keep costs in check.

Skills/attributes

  • Strong organisational skills
  • Clear written and verbal communication
  • Leadership and staff management
  • Problem-solving and decision-making
  • Proficiency in office software (e.g. Microsoft 365)
  • Time management and prioritisation
  • Attention to detail
  • Financial and record-keeping awareness
  • Knowledge of workplace health and safety
  • Understanding of employment and administrative law
  • Ability to work well under pressure
  • Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills
  • Adaptability to changing priorities
  • Facility and resource management

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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.