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**This is an updated post**

Have you ever wondered where successful Business Executives and CEOs start out? Chances are, they began their careers as Business Administrators.  

Whether you’re an aspiring leader or just enjoy being involved in the day to day aspects of running a business, a career in business administration might be the right path for you.

What can you expect from a career as an Administrator in terms of responsibilities and salary? What kind of skills are needed to get ahead?  

Read on to discover what a day in the life of an Administrator could look like for you.  

What is the role of a Business Administrator?

The term ‘business administration’ actually covers a variety of roles. And Administrators can work in any industry, for companies both large and small.  

Because the field is so wide and varied, working in business administration means that you’ll have plenty of options available to you. And you can move around until you find the perfect fit that’s just right for you.  

In business, the day-to-day tasks are just as important as long-term outlooks for the future. An Administrator is involved in all areas of the business, including IT, communication, marketing and finance and accounting.

Business Administrators are expected to always be on top of things to make sure a company is running as it should. 

Responsibilities and duties of a Business Administrator

As an Administrator, you can expect your days to be busy. Which means you’ll need to be highly organised and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. Some days will definitely be more stressful than others, but you’ll also get to enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you play a pivotal role in the success of a business.  

As a Business Administrator, you’ll be expected to: 

• Provide office support and manage activities related to the business (setting up meetings, scheduling appointments, sorting documents, etc).
• Oversee organisational budgets and finances.
• Organise invoicing.
• Keep well-organised files and records of business activity.
• Assist in project management.
• Analyse financial statements and sales reports.
• Establish organisational goals, policies and procedures.
• Negotiate or approve contracts and agreements.
• In some cases, act as an office all-rounder.

Job outlook and Salary for Business Administrators

While roles in administration vary widely, we can take a look at the role of an Office Manager as an example. 

According to the government’s Job Outlook website, full-time Office Managers in Australia receive an average salary of $1490 per week.  

Since 2014, the demand for Office Managers has grown significantly. In 2014, there were 117,100 people employed as Office Managers. By 2019, there were 166,600. That’s an increase of 42.4%. And it doesn’t look like the demand for Office Managers will be decreasing any time soon, with strong growth predicted to continue into the 2020s.   

Almost 40% of people working in this role hold either a Certificate or Diploma. While the highest level of education for some people in this role (22.2%) was Year 12, a nationally recognised qualification in business administration will certainly give you a head start. It will also help you stand out from other applicants when you’re applying for jobs.  

You can study an online course in administration with Open Colleges with the BSB30415 Certificate III in Business Administration or BSB40515 Certificate IV in Business Administration.  

What kind of traits does a good Business Administrator have?  

Your success in an administrative role will largely depend on your personality and whether you enjoy a broad range of tasks.  

A good Administrator is someone who is highly organised, has strong interpersonal skills and an active interest in all areas of business, from number crunching to offering solutions to complex business problems. If you’re someone who enjoys keeping busy and having a say in business decision-making, this type of role can certainly lead to some amazing opportunities for you. 

Examples of job titles for Business Administrators 

As we’ve already mentioned, Administrators can find work across a huge range of industries. This means that your responsibilities will change depending on your employer. It can be quite a flexible career path that allows you to explore new areas and even assist in creating strategies for business growth—which can lead to high positions and impressive salary packages. 

If you’re wondering just where to start your job hunt for roles in this field, this list is a good place to start: 

• Accounts Payable Clerk
• Accounts Receivable Clerk
• Administration Assistant
• Clerical Worker
• Information Desk Clerk
• Office Junior
• Personal Assistant
• Receptionist
• Accounts Supervisor
• Executive Personal Assistant
• Office Administrator
• Office Manager
• Project Assistant

Opportunities for growth in Business Administration

A career in this field can open many doors for future employment, whether you want to remain at an assistant level or pursue higher paid roles.

For example, you may work your way up to executive roles, upper management roles and may be even aim for the CEO role one day. In fact, many of the responsibilities of a CEO are similar to that of a Business Executive, although at a much higher organisational level and with higher stakes.

What qualification do I need to become a Business Administrator? 

The right qualifications can give you the skills and confidence to get a positive head start in your career and start approaching employers for your dream role.

At Open Colleges, we offer a range of Business Administration courses including the BSB30415 Certificate III in Business Administration and the BSB40515 Certificate IV in Business Administration. With these certifications, you’ll gain the foundation in business to take your career in any direction you choose.

Ready to launch your career in business? Enrol with OC today.