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Official Government Science Careers Portal

Wildlife Biologist Salary in Australia

Discover how much Wildlife Biologists earn across federal and state governments, conservation authorities, research institutes, and environmental consultancies in Australia.

Average Graduate Entry

$77,865 – $86,500

Mid-Career Wildlife Biologist

$100,190 – $118,780

Senior Wildlife Scientist

$120,750 – $143,200

Gov Super Contribution

15.4%

Career Outlook

Steady Growth

Compare Wildlife Biologist Salaries

Interactive Take-Home & Super Calculator

Gross Base Salary

$109,485

Excludes superannuation and loadings

Employer Super (15.4%)

$16,861

Paid directly into your super fund

Estimated Income Tax + Medicare

$26,628

Standard residency rates

Estimated 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 Wildlife Biologist Do?

A wildlife biologist studies native and introduced animals, their habitats, population dynamics, and ecosystem interactions. In Australia, their work is critical to protecting threatened species, managing national parks, and informing environmental policy.

  • Field Surveys & Fauna Monitoring: Conducting trapping, spotlighting, camera-trap surveys, and bioacoustic tracking of terrestrial and avian fauna.
  • Threatened Species Recovery: Designing and implementing recovery plans for endangered native species like marsupials, reptiles, and birds.
  • Invasive Species Control: Assessing the impact of introduced pests (e.g. feral cats, foxes, cane toads) and evaluating control measures.
  • Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA): Preparing biodiversity reports for land development, infrastructure projects, and mining approvals.

Wildlife Biologist Salary in Australia

Salaries for wildlife biologists vary based on sector, years of experience, and whether roles involve remote field deployments.

  • Graduate: $68,000 – $85,000. Field support, data entry, and basic monitoring.
  • Early Career: $85,000 – $105,000. Managing targeted survey projects and environmental compliance.
  • Mid Career: $110,000 – $132,000. Leading multi-disciplinary conservation programs or research teams.
  • Senior: $135,000 – $155,000. Managing regional parks budgets, setting fauna management policy, or leading research units.
  • Principal Scientist / Director: $160,000 – $185,000+. Overseeing state or national wildlife conservation strategy.

Australian Government Wildlife Biologist Salary

In the Australian Public Service (APS), wildlife biologists are classified under standard APS levels, offering clear career progression and strong superannuation benefits.

APS 3 & APS 4

Base Salary: $67,000 – $86,500. Entry-level graduate assistants and technical field officers assisting with field monitoring, wildlife telemetry, and data curation.

APS 5 & APS 6

Base Salary: $88,000 – $118,000. Experienced wildlife biologists and fauna project officers who design field methodology, analyze ecological datasets, and draft conservation advice.

EL 1 (Senior Wildlife Scientist)

Base Salary: $120,000 – $143,000. Project leaders managing threatened species recovery teams, overseeing grant budgets, and representing agencies in public consultations.

EL 2 (Conservation Program Manager)

Base Salary: $150,000 – $182,500. Executive leaders responsible for entire conservation branches, national reserve strategy, and high-level policy advice.

Government Agencies Employing Wildlife Biologists

Key federal and state bodies employing wildlife biologists across Australia:

Parks Australia

Salary Range: $77,865 – $145,000

Manages Commonwealth terrestrial and marine reserves, including Kakadu, Uluru-Kata Tjuta, and Christmas Island National Parks.

Typical Roles: Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Officer, Conservation Manager

Agency Guide Coming Soon

DCCEEW

Salary Range: $77,865 – $145,000

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water sets national biodiversity policy and threatened species recovery strategies.

Typical Roles: Biodiversity Policy Officer, Threatened Species Officer

Agency Guide Coming Soon

CSIRO

Salary Range: $78,900 – $185,000

Conducts nationwide ecological research on terrestrial ecosystems, native fauna, and invasive pest management.

Typical Roles: Research Scientist, Ecological Modeller, Field Specialist

Agency Guide Coming Soon

Australian Antarctic Division (AAD)

Salary Range: $77,865 – $145,000

Researches sub-Antarctic and Antarctic wildlife, including penguins, seals, and seabird populations.

Typical Roles: Polar Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Ecologist

Agency Guide Coming Soon

State National Parks & Wildlife Services

Salary Range: $72,000 – $138,000

State agencies (e.g. NSW NPWS, QLD DES, Parks Victoria) manage state conservation estates and fauna protection.

Typical Roles: Ranger, Senior Scientist, Project Officer

Agency Guide Coming Soon

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry

Salary Range: $77,865 – $145,000

Focuses on biosecurity, wildlife disease surveillance, and invasive species risks.

Typical Roles: Biosecurity Officer, Veterinary Scientist

Agency Guide Coming Soon

APS Salary Levels for Wildlife Biologists

APS LevelTypical Role
APS 3Graduate Assistant
APS 4Technical Field Officer
APS 5Fauna Project Officer
APS 6Wildlife Biologist
EL 1Senior Wildlife Scientist
EL 2Conservation Program Manager

Qualifications & Essential Skills

Becoming a professional wildlife biologist in Australia involves a combination of academic training and practical field certifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree: Major in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Zoology, or Environmental Science.
  • Postgraduate Qualifications: An Honours year or Master’s degree is preferred for competitive roles. A PhD is generally required for research-intensive positions (EL 1 and CSIRO scientists).
  • Field Certifications: 4WD vehicle operation, Remote Area First Aid, and Animal Ethics clearances.
  • Technical Tools: GIS mapping (ArcGIS/QGIS), R programming for ecological stats, acoustic monitoring, and wildlife tracking software.

Career Progression

A typical progression path for a wildlife biologist in Australia:

Graduate / Field Officer
↓
Wildlife Biologist
↓
Senior Wildlife Scientist
↓
Principal Ecologist / Research Leader
↓
Conservation Program Director

Salary by Experience

Graduate (0–2 years)$68,000 – $85,000
Early Career (2–5 years)$85,000 – $105,000
Mid-Career (5–10 years)$110,000 – $132,000
Senior (10–15 years)$135,000 – $155,000
Senior Leadership (15+ years)$160,000 – $185,000+

Highest Paying Employers

Top sectors and organizations for wildlife biologist salaries include:

  • Environmental & Ecological Consultancies: High-end consulting for major mining and infrastructure approvals often pays top market rates.
  • Federal Government & CSIRO: Offer competitive base salaries coupled with 15.4% superannuation and robust job security.
  • Mining & Resources Sector: In-house environmental advisors overseeing fauna management on remote resource sites receive substantial site allowances.
  • Universities: Professorial and principal investigator positions offer strong long-term compensation.

Benefits of Government & Conservation Roles

Key benefits enjoyed by public sector wildlife biologists include:

  • 15.4% Superannuation: Standard across APS government roles.
  • Remote locality allowances: Additional pay for deployment to remote parks or island reserves.
  • Flex-time and TOIL: Accrued time off for long field survey shifts.
  • Conference & Travel Funding: Support for presenting research nationally.
  • Flexible leave policies: Including study leave and extended field leave provisions.

Job Outlook

Demand for wildlife biologists in Australia remains strong due to national focus on biodiversity conservation, feral species management, bushfire recovery programs, and environmental compliance regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a wildlife biologist earn in Australia?
Wildlife biologist salaries in Australia typically range from $68,000 for entry-level graduate roles to over $155,000 for senior research managers and conservation directors. In the APS, mid-level wildlife biologists (APS 6 / EL 1) earn between $94,000 and $143,000 plus superannuation.
What does a wildlife biologist do in government roles?
Government wildlife biologists conduct field biodiversity surveys, design fauna management plans, monitor threatened species populations, assess environmental impact proposals, and contribute to national conservation policy.
Which government agencies employ wildlife biologists?
Primary federal employers include Parks Australia, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), CSIRO, and the Australian Antarctic Division. State environment agencies and national park services also employ significant numbers of wildlife biologists.
What APS level do wildlife biologists start at?
Graduates usually enter at APS 3 or APS 4 ($67,000 – $86,500). Candidates with a PhD or specialized field experience often enter directly at APS 6 or EL 1.
Is a PhD required to work as a wildlife biologist?
A Bachelor's degree is sufficient for field officer, technical, and regulatory roles. However, a Master's degree or PhD is typically required for leading research programs, publishing peer-reviewed papers, and advancing to senior research ranks (EL 1 and above).
Does CSIRO employ wildlife biologists?
Yes, CSIRO employs wildlife biologists across its Land and Water and Environment business units, focusing on biodiversity dynamics, invasive species management, and ecosystem restoration.
What qualifications are needed to become a wildlife biologist?
A Bachelor of Science majoring in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Zoology, or Environmental Science. Practical certifications such as animal handling ethics approval, 4WD operation, and remote first aid are also highly valued.
Is wildlife biology a good career in Australia?
Yes. Australia's unique flora and fauna and high rate of endemic species create ongoing demand for qualified professionals in conservation, biosecurity, and environmental management.
Which Australian state has the most wildlife biology jobs?
Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria have large state park networks and environmental protection authorities, offering abundant opportunities in both public and private sectors.
Are government wildlife biologist jobs permanent?
Positions range from ongoing (permanent) public service roles to fixed-term contracts tied to specific research grants or field monitoring projects.
What technical skills are most valuable for wildlife biologists?
GIS spatial analysis, wildlife telemetry (GPS/VHF tracking), bioacoustic monitoring, statistical modeling in R, and field survey methodologies (trapping, camera trapping).
How long does it take to become a senior wildlife biologist?
It typically takes 8 to 12 years of professional experience, along with a track record of project delivery, publication, and leadership in ecological management.
What industries hire wildlife biologists outside government?
Environmental consulting firms, non-governmental conservation organisations (such as Australian Wildlife Conservancy and Bush Heritage), mining and energy companies, and universities.
Do wildlife biologists receive remote location allowances?
Yes, government wildlife biologists deployed to remote national parks, island reserves, or Antarctic stations receive remote locality allowances and field trip loadings.
What is the future demand for wildlife biologists in Australia?
Demand is expected to grow steadily, driven by bushfire recovery efforts, invasive species threats, habitat protection mandates, and environmental compliance requirements.