General Manager

General Managers oversee the profitability, administration, operations and compliance of an organisation. Depending on the size of the business they might report to the CEO or directly to the Board of Directors.

As a General Manager you’ll be leading a team of departmental managers as well as the general staff. A typical day could involve finalising a budget, approving a risk management plan, hiring a new operations manager, and negotiating a supplier contract.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $156,000
Skill level Advanced

How do I become a general manager?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
Recommended
BSB50420

Diploma of Leadership and Management
Blended, Online, Traineeship
12 - 24 months
$0 - $6,068
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Office Manager Team Leader Supervisor
Project Coordinator Assistant Manager General Manager Area Manager Presales Consultant Regional Manager Service Director Team Administrator Governance Coordinator Creative Entrepreneur ICT Project Manager Data Miner Product Specialist Digital Project Manager Corporate Services Manager Account Manager Senior Risk Manager Park Manager Information Officer Customer Service Officer Life Coach Sports Facility Manager Landfill Supervisor Investigation Manager RTO Compliance Officer Intelligence Officer National Security Adviser Innovation Coordinator Customer Success Manager Chief Innovation Officer Logistician Innovation Manager Event Planner Strata Manager Student Experience Officer Travel Agency Manager Regional Coordinator Conservation Manager Venue Manager Real Estate Agency Manager Bank Manager Aquaculture Manager Sustainable Farmer Winemaker Vineyard Manager Planning Officer Social Media Strategist Cellar Door Manager Resilience Officer Head of Procurement Head of Digital Strategy Transformation Radio Producer Accounting Manager Financial Controller Forensic Accountant Customer Experience Manager Innovation Strategist Operations Officer Customer Service Manager Fraud Analyst Financial Assistant Assistant Broker Library Assistant Museum Assistant Librarian Gym Manager Fitness Centre Manager Sales Analyst High Performance Coach Event Director Exhibition Manager Tour Operations Manager Local Government Customer Service Assistant Reservations Manager HVAC Technician Council Member Bakery Manager Clinical Coder Grip Gaffer Driller Drilling Supervisor Service Manager Helicopter Pilot Flying Instructor Concreter Parts Manager Steel Fixer Executive Housekeeper Surveyor Assistant Plant Manager Fleet Manager Duty Manager (Police Force) Facilities Manager Airport Operations Manager Abattoir Supervisor Technical Project Manager Senior Merchandiser Workplace Inspector Rail Safety Manager Crematorium Technician Athlete Community Coach Renewable Energy Tradesperson Funeral Director Funeral Assistant Electrical Fitter
+ 107 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Office Manager Team Leader Supervisor Project Coordinator Assistant Manager General Manager Area Manager Presales Consultant Regional Manager Service Director Team Administrator Governance Coordinator Creative Entrepreneur ICT Project Manager Data Miner Product Specialist Digital Project Manager Corporate Services Manager Account Manager Senior Risk Manager Park Manager Information Officer Customer Service Officer Life Coach Sports Facility Manager Landfill Supervisor Investigation Manager RTO Compliance Officer Intelligence Officer National Security Adviser Innovation Coordinator Customer Success Manager Chief Innovation Officer Logistician Innovation Manager Event Planner Strata Manager Student Experience Officer Travel Agency Manager Regional Coordinator Conservation Manager Venue Manager Real Estate Agency Manager Bank Manager Aquaculture Manager Sustainable Farmer Winemaker Vineyard Manager Planning Officer Social Media Strategist Cellar Door Manager Resilience Officer Head of Procurement Head of Digital Strategy Transformation Radio Producer Accounting Manager Financial Controller Forensic Accountant Customer Experience Manager Innovation Strategist Operations Officer Customer Service Manager Fraud Analyst Financial Assistant Assistant Broker Library Assistant Museum Assistant Librarian Gym Manager Fitness Centre Manager Sales Analyst High Performance Coach Event Director Exhibition Manager Tour Operations Manager Local Government Customer Service Assistant Reservations Manager HVAC Technician Council Member Bakery Manager Clinical Coder Grip Gaffer Driller Drilling Supervisor Service Manager Helicopter Pilot Flying Instructor Concreter Parts Manager Steel Fixer Executive Housekeeper Surveyor Assistant Plant Manager Fleet Manager Duty Manager (Police Force) Facilities Manager Airport Operations Manager Abattoir Supervisor Technical Project Manager Senior Merchandiser Workplace Inspector Rail Safety Manager Crematorium Technician Athlete Community Coach Renewable Energy Tradesperson Funeral Director Funeral Assistant Electrical Fitter + 107 more
BSB40520

Certificate IV in Leadership and Management
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
10 - 24 months
$0 - $4,928
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Office Manager Team Leader Supervisor
Project Coordinator Assistant Manager Team Administrator General Manager Presales Consultant Regional Manager Project Officer Retail Team Leader Account Manager Senior Risk Manager Park Manager Information Officer Customer Service Officer Life Coach Community Engagement Officer Landfill Supervisor Investigation Manager Customer Success Manager Customs and Border Protection Officer Venue Manager Regional Coordinator Cellar Door Manager Head of Digital Strategy Transformation Operational Risk Manager Innovation Strategist Operations Officer IT Business Analyst Music Manager Sales Representative Telemarketer Sales Consultant Workshop Manager Cleaning Supervisor Plant Supervisor Airport Operations Manager Sheep Shearing Trainer Abattoir Supervisor Food Production Supervisor Workplace Inspector Rail Safety Manager
+ 40 more
BSB60120

Advanced Diploma of Business
Blended, Online
12 - 18 months
$0 - $4,595
  • At least 2 years work experience in a related field OR
  • Completed Diploma (AQF Level 5) or above from the BSB Training Package
Additional requirements may apply.
Senior Administrator General Manager Account Director
Regional Manager Business Administrator Governance Coordinator Creative Entrepreneur Digital Business Strategist Senior Risk Manager Procurement Specialist
+ 7 more
  • At least 2 years work experience in a related field OR
  • Completed Diploma (AQF Level 5) or above from the BSB Training Package
Additional requirements may apply.
Senior Administrator General Manager Account Director Regional Manager Business Administrator Governance Coordinator Creative Entrepreneur Digital Business Strategist Senior Risk Manager Procurement Specialist + 7 more
BSB60420

Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management
Online
12 - 18 months
$0 - $8,568
  • At least 2 years work experience in a related field OR
  • Completed Diploma (AQF Level 5) or above from the BSB Training Package
Additional requirements may apply.
Human Resources Manager Senior Administrator General Manager
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Area Manager Regional Manager Talent Acquisition Specialist Team Administrator Creative Entrepreneur Chief Innovation Officer Plant Supervisor Plant Manager Duty Manager (Police Force)
+ 10 more
  • At least 2 years work experience in a related field OR
  • Completed Diploma (AQF Level 5) or above from the BSB Training Package
Additional requirements may apply.
Human Resources Manager Senior Administrator General Manager Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Area Manager Regional Manager Talent Acquisition Specialist Team Administrator Creative Entrepreneur Chief Innovation Officer Plant Supervisor Plant Manager Duty Manager (Police Force) + 10 more
BSB50420

Diploma of Leadership and Management (Change)
Online
12 months
$3,500
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
General Manager Office Manager Supervisor
Team Leader
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
General Manager Office Manager Supervisor Team Leader + 1 more

Bachelor of Business
On Campus
12 - 36 months
$0 - $50,976
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Business Consultant Business Services Manager Business Specialist
Change And Communications Manager Management Consultant General Manager Head of Digital Strategy Transformation Innovation Strategist
+ 5 more
BSB80320

Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership
Blended, On Campus, Online, Traineeship
3 - 48 months
$0 - $31,050
  • At least 5 years work experience in a related field OR
  • Completed Diploma (AQF Level 5) or above in related fields of study and 3 years equivalent full-time relevant workplace experience OR
  • Completed Bachelor degree in related fields of study and 2 years equivalent full-time relevant workplace experience.
Additional requirements may apply.
Senior Administrator General Manager Board Member
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Service Director Innovation Strategist
+ 3 more
  • At least 5 years work experience in a related field OR
  • Completed Diploma (AQF Level 5) or above in related fields of study and 3 years equivalent full-time relevant workplace experience OR
  • Completed Bachelor degree in related fields of study and 2 years equivalent full-time relevant workplace experience.
  • Completed Bachelor degree in related fields of study and 2 years equivalent full-time relevant workplace experience.
Additional requirements may apply.
Senior Administrator General Manager Board Member Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Service Director Innovation Strategist + 3 more

Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Strategy
Online
4 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
General Manager Operations Manager Project Manager
Team Leader
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
General Manager Operations Manager Project Manager Team Leader + 1 more

Graduate Diploma in Management
Online
8 months
Unavailable
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
General Manager Senior Administrator
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
General Manager Senior Administrator

Graduate Certificate in Management
Blended, On Campus, Online
4 - 12 months
$0 - $16,300
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
General Manager Marketing Manager Project Manager
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
General Manager Marketing Manager Project Manager
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

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Common questions

How much do General Managers earn?

In Australia, the salary range of a General Manager can vary greatly. Many General Managers negotiate their own salary package with bonuses (based on performance).

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

What are the job opportunities for General Managers?

There are currently 47,00 General Managers employed in Australia right now and this job role declined over the last 5 years. General Managers lead medium to large business, government departments, and corporate enterprises in all industries and employment sectors.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

How do I become a General Manager?

General Managers normally have formal qualifications in their industry or employment sector but also need skills in business administration and leadership. To expand your employment options and salary range try the Diploma of Leadership and Management or the Advanced Diploma of Business. Many General Managers are degree qualified.

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Courses.com.au Team Industry expert

Further reading

What can you do with a Diploma of Leadership and Management?

20th April 2021)

How do I become a sales manager?

22nd December 2022)

What can you do with an Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management?

6th May 2021)

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