Contract Administrators Career Pathway
Contract, program and project administrators plan and undertake the administration of contracts, organisational programs, special projects and support services.
What does a Contract Administrator do?
Some examples of roles and responsibilities include:
- Develop, review and negotiate variations to contracts, programs, projects and services
- Respond to enquiries and resolve problems concerning contracts, programs, projects, services provided, and affected parties
- Manage paperwork associated with contracts, programs, projects and services provided
- Work with project managers, architects, engineering professionals, owners and others to ensure that goals are met
- Advise senior management on matters requiring attention and that involve implementation of their decisions
- Oversee work by contractors and report on variations to work orders
- Prepare and review submissions and reports concerning the organisation's activities
- Collect and analyse project data and report on project outcomes
Career outlook at a glance
41
Median age of the Australian Contract Administrators (in years)
21,200
Contract Administrators workforce in Australia
$120,000
Average salary of Contract Administrators in Australia 1
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia. 2024.
1 Seek. September 2024. Contracts Administrator Salary
Where do Contract Administrators work?
Many positions are associated with large projects such as construction and engineering, and public administration and safety where numerous contractors are involved. Just over 27.5% work in New South Wales, 22.3% in Victoria, and 21.7% in Queensland.
How much do Contract Administrators earn?
According to Seek, the average salary in Australia for a Contract Administrator is between $110,000-$130,000. 2
2 Seek. September 2024. Contracts Administrator Salary
Specialisations
- Administrators may specialise in negotiating and preparing contracts on behalf of an organisation.
- Others may specialise in the administration of organisational programs, special projects and support services.
Related job titles
- Program manager
- Project manager
- Contract manager
What education do you need?
An Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma, or at least 3 years of relevant experience is usually needed to work in this role. Around two in five workers have a university degree. Even with a qualification, experience or on-the-job training is usually needed. A qualification in project management is valued by employers, particularly in demanding positions in civil engineering or construction. A postgraduate qualification will prepare for advancement to project manager positions.
How long does education take?
- A bachelor degree takes 3 years full-time, or 4 years with honours.
- A master’s degree can be obtained online in 2 years of part-time study.
- A graduate diploma can be obtained in a minimum of 16 months of part-time study.
- A graduate certificate can be obtained in a minimum of 8 months of part-time study.
SCU Online courses
For more details about the SCU 100% Online project management courses, see below:
Who suits this career?
This complex role involves a high level of personal attributes as well as education and training. These include but are not limited to the following:
- Management qualities. Teamwork is central to project administration, which requires interfacing with numerous colleagues and contractors while handling varied tasks at a given time.
- Financial literacy. Mathematical skills are needed for budgetary forecasting and management.
- Organisational abilities. Deadlines and daily appointments are constant, so self-organisation and time-keeping are vital.
- Logistical skills. A practical approach is valuable in this varied role.
- Communication skills. Strong written skills are valued for processing contracts and related documentation, including briefs, proposals, and reports.
