Publisher (NSW) | Job Guide

Publisher (NSW/ACT)

Education and Training:

You can work as a publisher without formal qualifications. Skills are usually developed on the job and through in-house courses in the publishing industry. Several years of experience in the industry, usually as an editor or in marketing and sales, is essential.

Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have a degree in journalism, communication, business studies, marketing or an area in the humanities, such as English. 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.

See separate entries for Editor, Journalist, Public Relations Officer, Marketing Officer and Writer for relevant information.

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:

Publishers work in commercial publishing organisations, government departments and other organisations. Many publishers set up their own companies, buying distribution services from specialists.

Advancement to management level as a publisher is dependent on business and marketing sense and capacity for hard work, as well as a number of years of experience in the publishing industry. Familiarity with computers, especially desktop publishing, is now essential.