Editor (NSW) | Job Guide

Editor (NSW/ACT)

Education and Training:

To become an editor you usually have to study communications, journalism, professional writing, English, media studies or a related field at university and provide evidence of a wide range of reading and general interests. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Most universities in Australia offer degrees in these areas. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact Open Universities Australia or the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Additional Information:

The Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd) runs a professional accreditation scheme, details of which can be found on its website.

People usually proceed to the position of newspaper editor through the various stages of journalism. Newspaper editors therefore have a great deal of on-the-job experience.

If you have spent some time as an assistant editor with a publishing company, it may be possible to progress to the position of book editor. After working in other sections of a publishing firm (e.g. as a secretary or sales representative), you may be able to move into a trainee editorial position.

The increasing use of desktop publishing systems means that editors are expected to be familiar with computers, word processing software for editing, and publishing layout programs for typesetting.

Related Courses:

While the following courses are related to this occupation, they may not necessarily lead directly to employment, nor provide the most direct pathway to the occupation. Courses which provide preliminary or informal training, as well as those which provide additional job skills following initial qualifications may also be listed.

*Course is offered by more than one institution. Click link for details.

Employment Opportunities:

Editors work in-house for commercial publishers or in publication units within government departments and other organisations. Experienced book editors may work on a freelance or contract basis. Some may form small independent publishing houses.

In recent years, the publishing industry has seen mergers and rationalisation. There are now far fewer newspapers and publishing houses to provide entry into the profession. Technological advances have also changed the industry.

Only a few openings occur in publishing houses each year and competition for them is high. It is sometimes possible to break into publishing from an affiliated field, such as desktop publishing, teaching or printing. Advancement is dependent on a keen business and marketing sense and capacity for hard work.