- Business analysts play a crucial role in collating data and insights to inform key business directions.
- Business analysts need diverse skills, but strong competencies in decision-making, communication, analytics and technical IT skills will set you apart.
- Overall, there is a lack of ‘technology talent’ in Australia.
- Monash Online offers a breadth of analytics courses ideal for expanding your knowledge in data science, analytics and learning analytics.
Effectively using data can significantly impact business success, from better problem-solving and decision-making to influencing processes and even supporting the customer experience. Therefore, business analysts play a crucial role in using data and insights to inform the overall direction of a business.
A successful career as a business analyst is challenging and diverse. You’ll work across functions like IT, marketing, finance and operations while interacting with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels. Read on to learn precisely how to become a business analyst in Australia.
What does a business analyst do?
A business analyst’s job is to ensure that an organisation’s systems, projects and processes meet its business objectives. Often working with a focus on IT projects, business analysts link technical teams with business teams to create, deliver and monitor successful project outcomes.
An eye for detail, and a drive to foster continuous improvement and enhance systems are part of a business analyst’s day-to-day work. Business analysts need diverse skills, but strong competencies in decision-making, communication, analytics and technical IT skills will set you apart.
The first steps on your business analyst career path
You’ll need to complete a qualification to become a business analyst (BA). Tertiary study will help you build the technical knowledge and the general and specific skills required to start or change your career. Once you’ve completed a qualification, you’ll have strategic and operational know-how in human, data-related and Agile areas, enabling you to navigate any business environment.
Once started, a career in business analysis can take you in many directions across lots of different industries. For example, you might progress a career as a generalist BA and become a Senior BA, Principal BA, and then Head of BA Practice in an organisation. Other pathways include specialising in particular methodologies – deepening your skills in Agile processes, Scrum mastery, product management, service delivery or systems architecture.
Once qualified, several industry bodies, including the Institute of Analytics Professionals of Australia (IAPA) and the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), support business analysts, promoting continuous skill development and providing networking and other career opportunities.
The demand for business analyst skills is high
The National Skills Commission recently added business analysts – particularly in the ICT area – to its list of skills facing a national shortage. Overall, there is a lack of ‘technology talent’ in Australia, and business analytics is a crucial role currently facing skills shortages in all states.
Even though the demand for business analysts in the information technology sector is high, this doesn’t mean it’s only technology companies seeking skilled professionals. There is strong demand for BAs in many sectors beyond IT, including financial services and banking, government, telecommunications and manufacturing.
Business analyst salary and roles
The role of a business analyst can vary depending on what area of analytics you pursue and what type of organisation you work in. Some business analyst roles include:
- Business intelligence expert
- Chief data officer
- Data Architect
- Data scientist
- Management consultant
- Project manager.
Business analysts are well paid; Labour Market Insights lists the average weekly wage of a qualified ICT business analyst as $2350, well above the national median ($1662).
Get started with business analyst qualifications
If you’re inspired to create a real impact in the business world, a business analytics qualification is the first step towards a challenging and rewarding career. Monash Online offers a breadth of analytics courses ideal for expanding your knowledge in data science, analytics and learning analytics.
Our fully online Graduate Certificate in Analytics focuses on the digital environment to give you in-demand skills built for modern organisations. Units taught include data analysis, data modelling, and foundational units in Python and R programming – everything you need to get job-ready.
After completing the graduate certificate, you might decide to continue to the Master of Analytics, a comprehensive course that will cement your place as an expert BA, but also provide diversified study options to tailor to your business analytics career.
Learn more about how to start your career in business analytics with Monash Online by calling a course consultant today on 1300 272 509 or arranging an online booking.
