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How to Become a Public Health Advisor: Australian Careers in Health

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What is a Public Health Advisor?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Public Health Advisor?

A Public Health Advisor helps governments and health groups protect Australians’ health. They design health programs, study health data, and advise on policy to prevent disease and reduce health gaps.

Public Health Advisors work in many settings. These include federal and state health departments, local councils, hospitals, and non-profit groups. Their work shapes health services for millions of people.

Day-to-day, they gather health data, run community health surveys, and build education campaigns. They work with health teams, community leaders, and government agencies to deliver programs.

Demand for skilled public health workers is strong, making this a stable, rewarding career. The role suits people with a mix of research, writing, and policy skills. Roles exist across all Australian states and territories.

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Career snapshots For Public Health Advisors

This snapshot covers the employment profile of Public Health Advisors in Australia. Related health promotion roles employ around 5,100 people across Australia (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). Demand is set to be strong over the next five years.

Around 54% of positions are full-time. Average weekly pay is about $1,812, or around $94,000 per year (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). Pay rises with experience and level.

The median age in this field is 44 years. Around 82% of workers are women (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). Roles are available across all states and territories.

What will I do?

A Public Health Advisor combines research, community work, and policy to improve health. They gather data on health trends and design evidence-based programs. They also work with governments and groups to put those programs into action.

  • Conduct research to identify health trends and risks in communities
  • Design and launch health promotion programs for specific groups
  • Analyse data to track how well health initiatives are working
  • Work with government agencies, NGOs, and community groups on shared health goals
  • Write reports and policy briefs for decision-makers
  • Run training sessions and workshops for health workers and community leaders
  • Respond to public health events such as disease outbreaks or natural disasters
  • Advocate for policies that improve health equity and access to services

What skills do I need?

Public Health Advisors need a strong mix of thinking, writing, and people skills. At the core is the ability to read health data and explain findings in plain language for all audiences.

Strong project skills are also essential. Advisors often run several programs at once and need to plan and prioritise. Cultural skill is equally important, as advisors work with diverse groups across Australia. Knowing what drives health gaps in a community makes advisors more effective.

Skills/attributes

  • Data analysis and research skills
  • Clear written and verbal communication
  • Knowledge of public health policy and legislation
  • Project management and planning
  • Community engagement and consultation
  • Program design and evaluation
  • Cultural competence
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Advocacy and stakeholder communication
  • Attention to detail
  • Report writing and presentation
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Adaptability to changing health landscapes
  • Health promotion strategy knowledge

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!

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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.