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Event Manager

Plan and deliver events by coordinating venues, suppliers, budgets, schedules and the overall guest experience.

Event manager coordinating suppliers and event preparations at a professional Australian event venue

What They Do

Event Managers plan and coordinate events such as conferences, exhibitions, corporate functions, festivals, seminars and private events.

They meet with clients, develop event plans, organise venues and suppliers and coordinate services such as catering, audiovisual equipment, transport, accommodation and entertainment.

Jobs and Skills Australia also identifies negotiating service costs, managing registrations and overseeing contractors during events among the occupation group's major responsibilities.

Who This Career Suits

This career suits people who enjoy organisation, working with people and turning detailed plans into real experiences.

Event Managers need to remain calm under pressure because schedules can change quickly and problems often need to be solved while an event is already underway.

It can particularly suit someone who enjoys variety, coordinating multiple people and suppliers and balancing creative ideas with budgets and practical requirements.

Key Skills

Organisation, Communication, Project Management, Problem Solving, Budget Management, Negotiation, Time Management, Customer Service

Work Environment

Office, Event Venue, Hospitality, On-Site, Fast-Paced

Education & Training

A common vocational pathway is the SIT50322 Diploma of Event Management.

The qualification is designed for people who use a broad range of event-management skills and make operational decisions while coordinating events.

It provides pathways into event companies, exhibition businesses, venues and organisations that manage their own events across hospitality, tourism, sport, cultural and community sectors. There are currently no formal entry requirements.

Training can include:

event planning, event production, venue selection, supplier coordination, budgeting, customer service, event operations, risk management and managing events on-site.

University qualifications in event management, business, tourism, hospitality or marketing are another pathway, particularly for people interested in major corporate or international events.

Career Changer Pathway

Event management can suit people moving from hospitality, marketing, administration, project coordination, sales, customer service or tourism.

People with strong organisation and client-management experience may already have many transferable skills.

Career changers can build experience through Event Coordinator, Functions Coordinator or Venue Coordinator roles while completing formal event-management training.

Early Career

Early-career event professionals usually begin by supporting senior organisers with bookings, suppliers, schedules and event administration.

They may coordinate guest lists, prepare run sheets, arrange equipment and communicate with venues and contractors.

Common entry roles include Event Coordinator, Functions Coordinator, Events Assistant or Venue Coordinator.

Mid Career

Experienced Event Managers take responsibility for complete events from initial planning through to delivery.

They may specialise in:

corporate events, conferences, exhibitions, weddings, festivals, sporting events, hospitality functions or major public events.

They may also manage larger budgets, negotiate supplier contracts and supervise event staff and contractors.

Senior / Veteran Career

Experienced professionals can progress into Senior Event Manager, Event Operations Manager, Head of Events or Event Director roles.

Others establish their own event-management businesses or specialise in large-scale corporate, entertainment or destination events.

Senior professionals may also move into venue management, sponsorship, marketing, tourism management or broader project-management roles.

Salary Guide

Early Career

65000

Mid Career

85000

Senior / Veteran

110000

Indicative annual salary (AUD)

Indicative annual salary (AUD)

Indicative annual salary (AUD)

Salary data source: 

Jobs and Skills Australia / Indeed

Salary data source URL:

Date : 

9 October 2026 at 12:00:00 am

Career Outlook

Jobs and Skills Australia reports approximately 31,200 Conference and Event Organisers employed nationally.

Recent annual employment growth was approximately 100 workers, indicating a relatively stable occupation rather than one currently experiencing rapid expansion.

Opportunities continue across corporate events, conferences, hospitality, education, arts, recreation and specialist event-management businesses.

Demand can fluctuate with economic conditions and discretionary business spending, but people with strong project management, supplier negotiation and large-event experience can build transferable skills across several industries.

Job Outlook :

Outlook Source :

Moderate

Where do I go from here?

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