CourseFinder logo – Australia’s leading course comparison site

How to Become a Sales Representative: Australian Careers in Business

1 Course

On this page

What is a Sales Representative?

What will I do?

What skills do I need?

Resources

What is a Sales Representative?

A Sales Representative promotes and sells goods and services on behalf of a company. They are the main link between the business and its clients. Sales reps work across many industries, from building supplies to consumer goods and business services.

Their core job is to find new clients and keep existing ones happy. They visit retail outlets and businesses to spot selling chances. They quote prices, take orders, and arrange deliveries.

Sales Representatives also track market trends and what rivals are doing. They report those findings back to their management team. Good record-keeping is part of the role, from sales reports to expense claims.

The median weekly pay is $1,621, or around $84,300 per year (yourcareer.gov.au, 2024). Most reps work full-time, with about 80% of the workforce in permanent roles. Future demand for this role is rated as stable by the National Careers Institute.

Icon

Career snapshots For Sales Representatives

Sales Representatives work across Australia in wholesale, retail, and manufacturing. The role covers about 40,700 workers in business services and consumer goods areas (yourcareer.gov.au, 2024). Around 80% work full-time, averaging 42 hours per week.

The median weekly pay is $1,621, or around $84,300 per year (yourcareer.gov.au, 2024). Pay is higher in healthcare and ICT, where reps can earn $86,000–$96,000 on average (SEEK, 2024). Entry-level roles start from about $55,000 per year.

Future demand is listed as stable by the National Careers Institute. The jobless rate in this field remains low. Strong results can lead to senior account or management roles within 3–5 years.

What will I do?

Sales Representatives promote and sell goods and services for their employer. They work with new and existing clients to meet targets and ensure satisfaction. Their day combines client visits, order management, and market research.

  • Promoting and selling goods and services: calling on clients with products such as building supplies, vehicle parts, and consumer goods.
  • Market research: keeping up to date on the employer’s products, rival offerings, and current market conditions.
  • Client prospecting: using directories and other sources to build lists of potential business clients.
  • Client visits: calling on clients and retail outlets to find and grow selling chances.
  • Quoting and order management: providing prices and credit terms, recording orders, and coordinating deliveries.
  • Client follow-up: checking in with clients to ensure satisfaction and resolving any issues promptly.
  • Market monitoring: tracking changes in client needs and rival activity, and reporting findings to management.
  • Sales reporting: writing up sales reports to track performance and guide business decisions.
  • Expense recording: maintaining accurate records of business expenses from sales activities.

What skills do I need?

A good Sales Representative mixes people skills with sound business thinking. Talking clearly is key to every client meeting. Listening well helps reps work out what a client needs before they pitch a deal.

Product knowledge is just as vital as people skills. Reps who know their products well can answer questions with ease. They can also spot when a client’s needs shift and change their approach fast.

Skills/attributes

  • Clear communication and active listening
  • Persuasion and negotiation
  • Relationship building and client management
  • Product and industry knowledge
  • Market awareness and competitor monitoring
  • Time management and organisation
  • Problem-solving
  • Customer service focus
  • Resilience and adaptability
  • Proficiency with sales software and CRM tools
  • Ability to work independently and in a team
  • Goal-oriented mindset
  • Attention to detail
  • Willingness to learn and grow

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.