Biologist Salary in Australia
The Definitive Guide to Government, CSIRO, Academia & Private Sector Biologist Salaries and Career Progression
Typical Entry Level
$77,865 – $86,500
Mid-Career Scientist
$100,190 – $118,780
Senior Specialist / Lead
$120,750 – $143,200
Employer Super Contribution
15.4%
Career Outlook
Strong Growth
Interactive Take-Home & Super Calculator
Gross Base Salary
$109,485
Excludes superannuation and loadingsEmployer Super (15.4%)
$16,861
Paid directly into your super fundEstimated Income Tax + Medicare
$26,628
Standard residency ratesEstimated Annual Take-Home Pay
After income tax, levies, and HECS$82,857
Monthly Net
$6,905
Fortnightly Net
$3,187
Weekly Net
$1,593
What Does a Biologist Do?
Biologists study living organisms, their physiological structures, evolutionary origins, and interactions with surrounding environments. Their scope of work is diverse, ranging from molecular genetics inside state-of-the-art laboratories to flora and fauna ecological surveys in wilderness areas.
In Australian government research, regulatory, and policy contexts, biologists typically specialize in one of several key streams:
- Biological Research & Analytics: Conducting molecular testing, genomic sequencing, and analyzing biological samples to support medical or agricultural development.
- Ecology & Conservation: Assessing species distributions, coordinating habitat restoration programs, and managing invasive species controls in national parks.
- Biosecurity & Crop Protection: Inspecting import shipments for agricultural pathogens, studying insect vectors (entomology), and managing quarantine barriers.
- Genetics & Breeding: Researching plant and animal DNA to breed resilient crops or manage threatened wildlife populations.
- Environmental Monitoring: Conducting environmental impact assessments (EIAs), water quality audits, and monitoring vegetation responses to climate trends.
Biologist Salary in Australia
Biological science salaries in Australia are determined by educational background, sector, and tenure. In public sector research and conservation, salaries are tied to structured pay grids, ensuring progressive advancements and job security.
Overall market salary structures typically map as follows:
- Graduate Scientist (Entry): Earning between $68,000 and $82,000 per year. These roles involve technical lab work, database entry, and field data collection.
- Early Career Biologist (2–5 years): Earning between $85,000 and $105,000 per year. These professionals execute standard experiments, lead small field teams, and prepare compliance documents.
- Mid-Career Biologist (5–10 years): Earning between $110,000 and $135,000 per year. They design research projects, author peer-reviewed studies, and manage environmental portfolios.
- Senior Biologist / Principal Scientist: Command salaries from $138,000 to $185,000+. They coordinate multi-agency projects, advise departments, or lead major labs.
Sectors differ significantly: federal and state governments offer stable funding and excellent superannuation benefits (15.4%), whereas universities are highly dependent on grant-funded contracts. Private mining, resources, and biotechnology sectors provide the highest absolute salaries but can be volatile.
Australian Government Biologist Salary
Federal government biologists are employed within the standard Australian Public Service (APS) classification framework. Standard roles carry specific base salary bands and distinct responsibilities:
APS 3: Graduate Assistant / Laboratory Support
$67,875 – $74,980Typical Duties: Maintains sterile laboratory environments, processes primary tissue or soil samples, catalogs species databases, and supports field operations.
APS 4: Technical Officer / Biosecurity Officer
$77,865 – $86,500Typical Duties: Performs standard diagnostic tests, inspects cargo at biosecurity border checkpoints, operates research equipment, and logs data.
APS 5: Research Officer / Biodiversity Adviser
$88,085 – $97,400Typical Duties: Reviews local environmental compliance applications, drafts species protection guides, and supports wildlife management plans.
APS 6: Biologist / Environmental Scientist
$100,190 – $118,780Typical Duties: Designs environmental monitoring campaigns, leads regional ecological surveys, models biodiversity trends, and authors research reports.
EL 1: Senior Biologist / Senior Research Scientist
$120,750 – $143,200Typical Duties: Directs major laboratory divisions, oversees biosecurity programs, manages scientific sections, and acts as primary technical advisor.
EL 2: Research Manager / Section Director
$150,800 – $182,500Typical Duties: Coordinates strategic national research agendas, manages division budgets, negotiates grants, and represents the agency at public forums.
Government Agencies Employing Biologists
Biologists work across a wide network of federal departments, statutory boards, and public research institutes:
CSIRO (Biological Science)
Salary Range: $78,900 – $185,000Australia’s national science agency. Conducts research in plant breeding, invasive pest control, wildlife ecology, crop protection, and agricultural biotechnology.
Typical Roles: Research Scientist, Plant Geneticist, Entomologist, Wildlife Ecologist
DCCEEW (Biodiversity & Conservation)
Salary Range: $77,865 – $145,000Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Manages national environmental approvals, biodiversity policy, and commonwealth reserves.
Typical Roles: Biodiversity Policy Officer, Wildlife Management Officer, Scientific Advisor
Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS)
Salary Range: $77,865 – $145,000The Australian Biological Resources Study. Coordinates scientific taxonomy grants and catalogs Australia’s biodiversity flora and fauna databases.
Typical Roles: Taxonomist, Systematist, Flora & Fauna Cataloguer, Science Administrator
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)
Salary Range: $77,865 – $145,000Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Develops national fisheries policies and manages strict border quarantine and biosecurity programs.
Typical Roles: Biosecurity Entomologist, Plant Pathologist, Aquatic Health Veterinarian
Australian Antarctic Division (AAD)
Salary Range: $77,865 – $145,000Australian Antarctic Division. Directs scientific research programs in polar biology, Southern Ocean ecosystems, krill populations, and sub-Antarctic ecology.
Typical Roles: Polar Ecologist, Terrestrial Biologist, Seabird Ecologist
Parks Australia (Terrestrial Parks)
Salary Range: $77,865 – $145,000Coordinates conservation management across terrestrial Commonwealth National Parks, protecting native habitats and controlling feral species.
Typical Roles: National Park Ranger, Wildlife Ecologist, Invasive Species Officer
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA)
Salary Range: $73,500 – $142,500The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Directs reef preservation strategies, reef health monitoring, and reef ecology management programs.
Typical Roles: Reef Restoration Officer, Crown-of-Thorns Program Manager
Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
Salary Range: $74,800 – $176,500Australian Institute of Marine Science. Tropical marine biology research programs, studying Great Barrier Reef corals, benthic habitats, and coastal ecology.
Typical Roles: Marine Benthic Ecologist, Fish Biologist, Coral Geneticist
Geoscience Australia (Environmental Programs)
Salary Range: $73,500 – $182,000Geoscience Australia. Applies biological data to marine sedimentary surveys and environmental habitat analysis for resource planning.
Typical Roles: Environmental Modeller, Palynologist, Coastal Habitat Analyst
APS Salary Levels for Biologists
The table below displays how federal science positions map directly to standard APS classifications. Standard rates are verified from agency enterprise agreements:
| APS Level | Typical Position | Base Salary Range | Link to Level Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| APS 3 | Graduate Assistant | $67,875 – $74,980 | APS 3 Guide → |
| APS 4 | Technical Officer | $77,865 – $86,500 | APS 4 Guide → |
| APS 5 | Research Officer | $88,085 – $97,400 | APS 5 Guide → |
| APS 6 | Biologist | $100,190 – $118,780 | APS 6 Guide → |
| EL 1 | Senior Biologist | $120,750 – $143,200 | EL 1 Guide → |
| EL 2 | Research Manager | $150,800 – $182,500 | EL 2 Guide → |
Educational & Accreditation Requirements
A career in biological sciences requires specific tertiary qualifications. The level of study dictates entry points and long-term career growth options:
Bachelor’s Degree (BSc)
A Bachelor of Science majoring in Biology, Environmental Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Botany, Genetics, or Marine Biology is the absolute baseline. Required for Technical Officer (APS 4) and Biosecurity Inspector roles.
Honours / Master’s Degree
Demonstrates capabilities in scientific project design, data modeling, and reporting. Preferred for Research Officer (APS 5/6) and public sector policy planning roles.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Mandatory for the research scientist pathway (Research Scientist to Chief Research Scientist) at CSIRO, AIMS, and universities. Required to lead major laboratories and publish original research.
Field & Safety Certifications
Vital for field-based biologists. Includes qualifications such as ADAS scientific diving cards, coxswain boat licensing, four-wheel drive training, and GIS database certifications.
Biology Career Progression
The standard pathway representing the transition from graduate entrant to senior director of a major research facility:
Graduate Entrant
Assists with laboratory assays, inputs ecological data, and prepares field survey gears.
Technical Officer
Coordinates field survey logs, processes scientific samples, and assists with environmental databases.
Biologist
Leads local ecological monitoring campaigns, reviews compliance files, and authors research papers.
Senior Biologist
Manages regional conservation teams, acts as delegate for research budgets, advises department heads.
Principal Scientist
Coordinates strategic research collaborations, oversees division facilities, and manages research grants.
Research Director
Responsible for institutional scientific policy, national science infrastructure, and statutory approvals.
Salary by Experience
Years of experience combined with active field service are the main drivers for advancement within scientific pay scales. The table below represents estimated overall market base ranges:
| Career Stage | Experience | Salary Range | Typical APS Mappings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Scientist | 0–2 years | $68,000 – $82,000 | APS 3 / APS 4 |
| Early Career Biologist | 2–5 years | $85,000 – $105,000 | APS 5 / APS 6 |
| Mid-Career Biologist | 5–10 years | $110,000 – $135,000 | APS 6 / EL 1 |
| Senior Biologist | 10–15 years | $138,000 – $158,000 | EL 1 / EL 2 |
| Principal Scientist / Director | Executive Specialist | $165,000 – $195,000 | EL 2 / SES |
Highest Paying Sectors & Employers
Compare salaries, conditions, and research funding stability across different Australian sectors:
Federal Government
$77,865 – $185,000 baseMain Employers: CSIRO, DCCEEW, DAFF, AAD, AIMS
State Government
$75,000 – $170,000 baseMain Employers: Department of Environment, EPA, National Parks
Universities / Academia
$72,000 – $160,000 baseMain Employers: Research Fellow, Botany/Zoology Lecturer
Mining & Resources
$95,000 – $240,000 baseMain Employers: Reclamation Biologist, Fauna Spotter Catcher
Environmental Consulting
$80,000 – $185,000 baseMain Employers: EIA Consultant, Flora/Fauna Surveyor
Biotechnology Companies
$82,000 – $195,000 baseMain Employers: Research Scientist, Quality Control Analyst
Benefits & Allowances
Remuneration packages in the public service and research institutes include substantial benefits that enhance total compensation:
15.4% Superannuation
All standard federal government departments, AIMS, and CSIRO contribute 15.4% employer superannuation on top of base salary rates.
Fieldwork & Remote Loadings
Scientists completing remote wilderness or polar research expeditions receive daily allowances and remote locality loadings, boosting take-home pay.
Professional Development
Access to research travel grants, conference registration fees, and professional accreditation support.
Study Assistance
Support for undertaking relevant postgraduate studies (Master’s or PhD), including paid study leave and contribution toward tuition costs.
Flexible Working Hours
Accrued flex-time for fieldwork hours allows scientists to take equivalent time off during laboratory analysis phases.
Generous Leave Provisions
Includes 20 days of annual leave, study leave, and parental leave entitlements under enterprise agreements.
Employment Outlook in Australia
The employment outlook for biologists in Australia remains strong, driven by national research priorities and emerging environmental sectors:
- Biodiversity Conservation: Increasing government and private commitments to climate adaptation and ecosystem preservation ensure ongoing funding for ecologists.
- Agricultural Innovation: Developing sustainable crops and managing invasive agricultural pests drives research programs at CSIRO.
- Biosecurity Safeguards: Managing complex border import risks requires biosecurity entomologists and plant pathologists.
- Biotechnology Systems: The expanding domestic pharmaceutical and agricultural biotechnology markets create positions in laboratories.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a biologist earn in Australia?
Biologist salaries in Australia typically range from $68,000 for recent graduates to over $185,000 for Principal Research Scientists and directors. In the federal government, standard roles pay between $77,865 (APS 4) and $145,000 (EL 1) base salary, plus superannuation and allowances.
What is the starting salary for a graduate biologist?
Graduate biologists starting in the Australian Public Service (APS) at the APS 4 equivalent level earn between $77,865 and $86,500 base salary, plus 15.4% employer superannuation.
Which government agencies hire biologists?
Biologists are employed by several federal bodies, including CSIRO, DCCEEW, ABRS, DAFF, AIMS, the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), and Parks Australia.
Does CSIRO employ biologists?
Yes, CSIRO is one of Australia’s largest scientific research employers, hiring biologists in diverse specialties including plant genetics, entomology, wildlife ecology, biosecurity, and marine systems.
What APS level do biologists start at?
Graduate biologists typically enter the APS at the APS 4 level. Entry-level scientists who already hold a PhD usually commence at the APS 6 or EL 1 (Research Scientist) level.
Is biology a high-paying career in Australia?
Biology offers competitive salaries, especially in public sector departments and research institutes which have structured pay scales and 15.4% super. Highly specialized consulting and resources roles also command top-tier rates.
Do biologists need a PhD?
A PhD is not required for laboratory support, field technicians, or policy advisors (APS 3 to APS 5). However, a PhD is mandatory for research-stream positions (Research Scientist to Chief Scientist) at CSIRO, AIMS, and universities.
Can biologists work in environmental science?
Yes. Biologists frequently work as environmental consultants, ecologists, and conservation advisors, using their knowledge of flora and fauna to conduct environmental impact assessments.
Which Australian state has the most biology jobs?
Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania have the highest concentration of biology roles due to their large marine, agricultural, environmental, and mining compliance programs.
Are government biology jobs permanent?
The federal government offers both ongoing (permanent) and non-ongoing (temporary/contract) positions. Regulatory and policy roles are usually ongoing, while specific research grants often fund 2–5 year contract terms.
What skills are most valuable for biologists?
Valuable skills include statistical analysis (using R or Python), geographic information systems (GIS), laboratory quality control, field taxonomy, project management, and scientific writing.
How long does it take to become a senior biologist?
Typically, it takes 5 to 10 years of experience in the field, or 2 to 4 years post-PhD, to reach a Senior Biologist (EL 1 equivalent) role.
Can biologists work internationally?
Yes. Australian biological training, especially in agriculture, biosecurity, reef conservation, and polar science, is highly regarded internationally, facilitating transitions to global research or corporate bodies.
What industries pay biologists the most?
The mining and resources sector pays the highest base salaries for environmental compliance biologists. Federal government research institutes (CSIRO, AIMS) and biotechnology companies also offer top-tier compensation.
What is the career progression for government biologists?
The standard pathway progresses from Graduate (APS 4) -> Research Officer (APS 5) -> Biologist (APS 6) -> Senior Biologist (EL 1) -> Principal Scientist (EL 2) -> Research Director (SES).
Editorial Methodology & Sources
This salary information has been compiled by the AussieSalary Editorial Team using official data from the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) Remuneration Report, individual federal agency Enterprise Agreements (including AIMS, CSIRO, GBRMPA, and DCCEEW), and current scientific job listings. Salaries listed represent base pay bands and exclude the mandatory 15.4% employer superannuation contribution, field/sea allowances, and individual loading arrangements. Figures are updated periodically to reflect scheduled wage increases under active enterprise agreements.