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How to Become An Event Manager

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What is a Event Manager

An Event Manager brings ideas to life by planning and running events that people remember. From corporate talks to music festivals, they handle it all.

Every day looks different in this role. Event Managers source venues, deal with vendors, manage budgets, and keep teams on track. When things go wrong on the day, they fix it fast.

Good talk and a creative mind are at the heart of the job. Event Managers pitch ideas to clients, write event plans, and promote events to their audience. They thrive in fast-paced settings where no two events are the same.

This is a career with real growth. With a few years in the field, Event Managers can move into leadership roles or start their own business. The skills they gain here open doors in hotels, marketing, and the wider business world.

Compare courses and programs in Event Management

Career Outlook for Event Manager

Event management is a growing field with steady demand in corporate, government, and local sectors. About 31,200 people work as Event Managers in Australia (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025). Around 72% are women and the median age is 38.

The average yearly salary is about $85,000 (ABS, May 2025). Entry roles start at around $70,000. Senior Event Managers can earn $115,000 or more. Most roles are full-time, with an average of 41 hours per week. Evening and weekend work is common as events get close.

Future demand is rated Moderate (YourCareer, 2025). The shift to hybrid and virtual events has added new skills to the role. Event Managers who know digital tools and data are in high demand across many fields.

On this Article

Introduction

Average Salaries

Resources

Steps to Become an Event Manager

Step 1: Volunteer or Intern at Local Events

Start by helping at community events, festivals, or corporate functions as a volunteer or intern. This gives you direct exposure to event logistics, vendor setup, and on-the-day work. Many people enter event management this way, before doing any formal study. Aim for 3 to 6 months of hands-on experience.

Step 2: Complete the Certificate III in Events (SIT30222)

Enrol in the Certificate III in Events (SIT30222) at a TAFE or registered training organisation (RTO). This takes 6 to 12 months and covers event planning basics, client service, and workplace health and safety. It gives you a solid base before moving to the Diploma. Many TAFE providers offer it part-time or online.

Step 3: Complete the Diploma of Event Management (SIT50322)

Enrol in the Diploma of Event Management (SIT50322) at a TAFE or RTO. This is the key industry training for the role. It takes 1.5 to 2 years full-time, or 2 to 3 years part-time. You will cover event planning, budget control, marketing, and risk management. Confirm the current code on training.gov.au before enrolling.

Step 4: Build Experience in a Junior Role

Apply for roles as an Event Coordinator or Events Assistant once you hold your training. Aim for 1 to 2 years in a junior role. Focus on client work, budget tracking, and vendor tasks. Work across a range of event types to build your portfolio and grow your contacts.

Step 5: Join a Professional Association

Become a member of the PCO Association or the Australian Business Events Association. Membership gives you access to industry events, learning workshops, and a solid network. Employers value professional membership as a sign of commitment to the field.

What does an Event Manager do?

No two days are the same for an Event Manager. In the morning, they might be on calls with clients to nail down a brief. By afternoon, they are checking out a venue or reviewing vendor quotes. As the event date gets closer, the pace picks up fast. On the day itself, they are on the ground from early morning until the last guest leaves. They make sure every detail runs exactly as planned.

Tasks

Event Managers run the entire show from first concept to final sign-off. They keep clients happy, vendors on time, and budgets under control. Every event is different, which makes this one of the most varied careers around.

  • Event planning: Build event plans, timelines, and run sheets from scratch.
  • Client consultation: Talk to clients to understand what they want and what they can spend.
  • Vendor coordination: Book and manage caterers, AV teams, venues, and decorators.
  • Marketing and promotion: Create buzz and attract the right audience to each event.
  • On-site management: Run the event on the day and sort out any problems fast.
  • Budget management: Track costs and keep spending on target.
  • Post-event review: Collect feedback and write up what worked well for next time.
  • Team leadership: Brief and coordinate staff, volunteers, and contractors before and during the event.

Skills for Success

Event Managers are part planner, part creative mind, and part problem-solver. They juggle dozens of moving parts at once, so strong planning skills are a must. Clear talk keeps clients, vendors, and teams on the same page at every stage.

Budget skills, contract talks, and risk know-how round out the technical side of the role. Fresh ideas and the drive to adapt count just as much. The best Event Managers stay calm under pressure and find answers fast when things go off script.

Skills & Attributes

  • Strong planning and organisation
  • Clear written and verbal communication
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem-solving under pressure
  • Time management and prioritisation
  • Budget and financial management
  • Creativity and design thinking
  • Team leadership and delegation
  • Vendor and contract negotiation
  • Knowledge of event management software
  • Marketing and event promotion
  • Risk management and WHS compliance
  • Networking and relationship building
  • Flexibility and adaptability
  • Client service and stakeholder management

Average Salaries

The average yearly salary for an Event Manager in Australia is around $85,000 (ABS, May 2025). Entry roles start at about $70,000. Senior Event Managers can earn $115,000 or more.

min $70 K

max $115 K

av $85 K

About the author

Laura Atkinson - Course Finder Groups
Laura Atkinson

Laura Atkinson is an Account Management and SEM specialist at Course Finder Group with six years' experience in the Australian education sector. She works day to day with universities, TAFEs and independent training providers, which gives her a close view of how courses map to real career outcomes. She writes practical guidance on career pathways, choosing the right qualification and what to expect when moving into a new field.