Epidemiologists study diseases and other factors that impact the health of communities and populations. Depending on where they work, epidemiologists may work with researchers, public health teams, health professionals and the community to:

• measure healthy behaviours and diseases at the population level
• design ways to collect data using surveys, interviews, and health information systems
• use specialised computer programs to analyse data and interpret the results, and explain them to the public, media and other health professionals
• track disease patterns to help prevent, find and investigate outbreaks
• control disease in populations
• design and review public and preventive health programs to find out if they’re effective.

Epidemiologists might work in a state or federal government health or statistics department or health service, not-for-profit health or research organisations or a university.

Epidemiologists require excellent attention to detail and need to be able to work under pressure with good time management and organisational skills. You’ll need excellent math skills and to enjoy working with numbers and statistics, but also have an interest in health. You’ll need the ability to make clear and precise observations from a range of information.

The average salary is $2,213 per week depending on employer organisation and experience. (Reference: Jobs and skills Australia, 2025)