CourseFinder logo – Australia’s leading course comparison site

How to Become a Public Relations Officer: Australian Careers in Public Relations

1 Course

On this page

What is a Public Relations Officer?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Public Relations Officer?

A Public Relations Officer manages the public image of a business or group. They build and protect its name through clear, consistent contact with the media, key groups, and the public. These workers are found across every industry, from government and health to entertainment and corporate firms. Their messages shape how a business is seen by the world.

PR Officers write press releases, handle media calls, and plan events. They track news and public views. When issues arise, they act fast to protect the business’s name. Their work keeps the business’s voice clear across all channels.

This role suits people with strong writing skills and a sharp eye for a good story. Most PR Officers work in-house or at a PR agency. Some work as freelancers. The job can be fast, with tight deadlines and shifting tasks.

A PR career offers wide scope and real growth. Roles exist across every sector in Australia. Around 32,300 people work in this field, with about 1,300 new roles added each year (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). With time, PR Officers can move into senior roles in strategy, crisis comms, or digital PR.

Icon

Career snapshots For Public Relations Officers

Around 32,300 people work in PR across Australia (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). About 1,300 new roles are added each year. The field is mostly female, with women making up 70% of workers. Most PR people work full-time at about 42 hours per week.

The median age in this field is 39 years (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Median full-time weekly pay is $2,046, or about $106,000 per year (ABS, May 2025). Future demand is rated Strong by yourcareer.gov.au.

PR Officers work in many sectors. Top areas include expert and technical services, public admin, and media and telecoms. About 26% work part-time. This makes the career open to a wide range of people.

What will I do?

A Public Relations Officer builds and guards a business’s name. They manage all contact between the business and the public. This role blends writing, planning, event work, and crisis response.

  • Media Relations: building ties with journalists to win news coverage for the business.
  • Press Release Writing: drafting and sending news items about events and updates.
  • Social Media: running the social channels and talking to the audience online.
  • Event Planning: organising press events, media briefings, and community days.
  • Crisis Management: acting fast and clearly when the business faces a public issue.
  • Content Creation: writing newsletters, blog posts, speeches, and media kits.
  • Stakeholder Liaison: working with teams and partners to keep messages aligned.
  • Media Monitoring: tracking news and public views to guide strategy.
  • Brand Management: keeping all comms true to the business’s values and style.
  • Reporting and Analysis: measuring PR results and sharing findings with the team.

What skills do I need?

To do this job well, a PR Officer needs a clear set of skills. Strong writing and speaking skills sit at the core. They draft press releases, speeches, and reports. They also speak with journalists and leaders with confidence.

Good research skills help them track news and spot issues early. Clear thinking and staying calm under pressure are also key. When a PR issue hits, they must act fast. Strong time skills help them run many projects at once.

Digital skills are now standard in most PR roles. This includes news tracking tools and social media. The media world changes fast. PR Officers need to adapt and keep learning.

Skills/attributes

  • Written and verbal communication
  • Media relations and press release writing
  • Research and media monitoring
  • Digital and social media literacy
  • Crisis and issues management
  • Event planning and coordination
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Strategic thinking and planning
  • Project and time management
  • Public speaking and presentation
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Adaptability under pressure
  • Collaboration and teamwork
  • Brand and reputation management
  • Data analysis and campaign measurement

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.