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How to Become a Quality assurance tester: Australian Careers in IT

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What is a Quality assurance tester?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

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What is a Quality assurance tester?

A quality assurance tester checks software before it reaches users. They run tests, find bugs, and report problems to the development team. Their work keeps software reliable, functional, and safe to use. This role suits people who enjoy problem-solving and have a sharp eye for detail.

Quality assurance testers work across many industries. Finance, healthcare, government, and technology firms all depend on tested, reliable software. Testers work closely with developers and project managers throughout the build process. Catching issues early saves time, money, and user trust.

Day-to-day work includes writing test plans, running manual and automated tests, and logging defects. Testers also review technical documents and check that fixes work as expected. Tools such as Selenium, JIRA, and TestRail are common in the field. Both technical skill and clear communication are essential.

Demand for quality assurance testers in Australia is strong and growing. Software is now central to almost every business operation. Skilled testers who can work with automated testing tools are especially sought after. This is a stable career with clear paths to specialisation and leadership.

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Career snapshots For Quality assurance testers

Quality assurance testing is a growing profession in Australia. Around 9,100 people work as software testers nationally, with future demand rated Strong (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). About 90% of testers work full-time, with an average of 40 hours per week. The median age is 38 and the profession has an even gender split at 50% female.

Testers work across financial services, information technology, telecommunications, and public administration. Median weekly earnings are $2,496, or around $130,000 per year (yourcareer.gov.au, 2025). Entry-level salaries start from around $65,000, and senior automation-specialist roles pay $140,000 or more. The ANZSCO code for this occupation is 261314.

What will I do?

A quality assurance tester keeps software on track by finding problems before users do. They work across the full testing lifecycle, from planning and design through to running tests and reporting results. Close work with developers and product teams is central to the role.

  • Test Planning – Write test plans that define scope, approach, and timelines for each testing phase.
  • Test Case Design – Create detailed test cases based on software requirements and acceptance criteria.
  • Manual Testing – Run manual tests to verify that software behaves as expected in real-world conditions.
  • Automated Testing – Build and maintain automated test scripts to speed up repeated testing cycles.
  • Defect Reporting – Log bugs with clear steps to reproduce, screenshots, and impact assessments.
  • Regression Testing – Re-test after code changes to confirm existing features still work correctly.
  • Performance Testing – Check how applications perform under load and flag bottlenecks early.
  • Collaboration – Work with developers and product managers to clarify requirements and confirm fixes.
  • Documentation – Keep testing records accurate and up to date for audit and future reference.
  • Continuous Improvement – Take part in retrospectives and suggest ways to improve testing processes.

What skills do I need?

A quality assurance tester needs a mix of technical and people skills. On the technical side, testers must understand the software development lifecycle and write clear test cases. Familiarity with testing tools like Selenium, JIRA, or TestRail is a strong advantage. Basic scripting knowledge in Python or JavaScript helps testers build automated test scripts.

Attention to detail is one of the most important traits for this role. Testers must catch subtle issues that affect users in real-world conditions. Strong written communication is also essential, as testers document defects clearly so developers can fix them quickly. Working well in a team and adapting to fast-moving projects round out the key skills for this career.

Skills/attributes

  • Attention to Detail
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Problem-Solving
  • Knowledge of Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
  • Test Planning and Test Case Design
  • Manual Testing Techniques
  • Automated Testing (Selenium, Cypress)
  • Defect Reporting and Bug Tracking (JIRA)
  • Regression Testing
  • Performance Testing
  • Written Communication
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Time Management
  • Scripting Skills (Python or JavaScript)
  • Adaptability to New Tools and Technologies

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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.