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How to Become An Investigative Journalist

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What is a Investigative Journalist

Investigative journalists expose hidden truths and hold the powerful to account. They dig into corruption, crime, and social injustice to bring important stories to light. Their work is a vital part of a healthy democracy.

Day-to-day, an investigative journalist researches, interviews, and analyses information. They file FOI requests, review leaked documents, and cross-check facts. A single story can take weeks or months to complete. But the results can be huge. Stories have changed laws and ended the careers of wrongdoers.

In Australia, investigative journalists work for major outlets like the ABC, Nine, News Corp, and Guardian Australia. Non-profit newsrooms are also growing fast. The Walkley Awards celebrate the best investigative journalism in Australia each year.

There is no licence required to work as a journalist in Australia. Joining the MEAA gives you industrial protections, legal support, and a professional community. Ethics, curiosity, and persistence are the real requirements. Search for journalism courses on CareerFAQs to get started.

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Career Outlook for Investigative Journalist

Investigative journalism is an active and rewarding career path in Australia. Around 23,000 journalists and writers work in the country (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024). The median age is 40 years. The median weekly pay is $1,722, or about $89,500 a year. Most roles are full-time.

Overall employment is in slight decline, at around -300 jobs per year as traditional media shrinks (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024). But non-profit and digital newsrooms are growing fast. Outlets like the ABC, Guardian Australia, and independent news publishers keep hiring. Investigative skills are in demand at these newer platforms.

The future of this career is shaped by digital media and public interest journalism. More readers want stories that hold power to account. This is driving new outlets and new jobs. Journalists who blend core skills with data and digital tools have the best prospects. The work is hard, but the chance to make a real difference remains strong.

On this Article

Introduction

Average Salaries

Resources

Steps to Become an Investigative Journalist

Step 1: Complete a Bachelor of Journalism or Communications

Enrol in a Bachelor of Journalism or a Bachelor of Communications with a journalism major at an Australian university. This is an AQF Level 7 degree and takes 3 years full-time. Key institutions include UTS, RMIT, Monash, QUT, and the University of Melbourne. The degree covers news writing, media law, ethics, and digital reporting.

Step 2: Gain experience through a cadetship or internship

Apply for a cadetship at a news outlet during or after your degree. Cadetships typically run 12 to 18 months. They are offered by outlets such as News Corp, Nine, and the ABC. You will cover general news, which builds the core skills needed for deeper investigation work.

Step 3: Build investigative research skills

Learn to use Freedom of Information (FOI) laws to access government records. Study data journalism, including how to work with public datasets and spreadsheets. The Walkley Foundation (walkleys.com) offers training in investigative skills and data journalism. These skills are the basis of long-form investigative work.

Step 4: Join MEAA and connect with the profession

Apply for membership with the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA). MEAA is the union and professional body for Australian journalists. Membership gives you the MEAA Code of Ethics, legal protections, and a professional community. Attend events run by MEAA, press clubs, and the Walkley Foundation in your state.

Step 5: Develop a specialisation and build your portfolio

Choose a focus area such as politics, corporate fraud, or social justice. Pitch and publish investigations over several years. Strong, published work is your main credential. Pieces for non-profit outlets and Walkley nominations also build your profile.

Step 6: Consider postgraduate study

A Master of Journalism is available at several Australian universities, including UTS and RMIT. This is an AQF Level 9 degree and takes 1.5 to 2 years full-time or part-time. It suits working journalists who want to build their craft or move into senior roles. Entry requirements vary by institution.

What does an Investigative Journalist do?

An investigative journalist’s days are anything but routine. They spend time digging through records, filing FOI requests, and tracking down sources. They conduct interviews, analyse data, and write long-form stories that can take months to complete. Much of the work happens behind the scenes. But the result can shift public debate, trigger inquiries, and change policy. It is a hands-on, high-stakes career that rewards curiosity, persistence, and a strong ethical compass.

Tasks

Investigative journalists work on stories that other reporters often skip. They dig deep, follow leads, and push for answers even when the path is hard.

  • Researching topics: searching public records, court documents, and leaked materials for hidden facts.
  • Filing FOI requests: accessing government information using federal and state Freedom of Information laws.
  • Conducting interviews: talking to sources, witnesses, and experts on and off the record.
  • Analysing data: working with spreadsheets and public datasets to spot patterns and trends.
  • Writing long-form reports: producing detailed, well-sourced articles that can run to thousands of words.
  • Fact-checking: verifying every claim before it goes to print or online.
  • Working with editors and legal teams: refining stories to meet journalistic and legal standards.
  • Attending court hearings: observing legal proceedings linked to ongoing investigations.
  • Protecting sources: keeping whistleblowers and sensitive contacts safe from exposure.
  • Advocating for transparency: contributing to public debate about accountability in government and business.

Skills for Success

A career as an investigative journalist takes a mix of skills. You need strong research ability to find facts and verify claims. Good writing is just as important. You need to turn complex information into clear, engaging stories.

Critical thinking helps you spot patterns and separate facts from noise. Resilience and persistence keep you going when investigations get hard. Ethics, source protection, and strong communication complete the skill set. Digital tools for data research and open-source investigation are a big plus in today’s newsrooms.

Skills & Attributes

  • Research and investigation skills
  • Clear and concise writing
  • Analytical and critical thinking
  • Interviewing and source management
  • Knowledge of FOI laws and processes
  • Data journalism and spreadsheet skills
  • Media law and ethical judgment
  • Attention to detail and fact-checking
  • Resilience and persistence under pressure
  • Digital and open-source research skills
  • Storytelling and narrative construction
  • Time management and meeting deadlines
  • Networking and relationship building
  • Source confidentiality and protection

Average Salaries

Journalists and writers in Australia earn a median of $1,722 per week, or about $89,500 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024). Pay varies by employer, role type, and experience. Entry-level reporters earn around $58,000 a year. Experienced investigative journalists at major outlets can earn up to $120,000 or more (ERI SalaryExpert, 2026).

min $58 K

max $120 K

av $90 K

About the author

Laura Atkinson
Laura Atkinson

Explore career guides by Laura Atkinson. Practical how-to-become advice on qualifications, skills, salary and job outlook across Australia.