Key information
Start dates
March
July
Delivery mode*
In person
(Bedford Park)
Biotechnology careers are shaping a sustainable future
Biotechnology specialists work at the intersection of science and innovation. From developing new medicines to creating sustainable crops and biofuels, your skills will be valued across health, agriculture, industry, and government.
Biotechnologist
Biotechnologists apply biological science to develop products and technologies that solve global problems. Their work spans designing new medicines, engineering crops that resist pests, developing biofuels, or using microbes to clean up pollution. The role combines lab research, data analysis, and project work, often within interdisciplinary teams.
In Australia, biotechnologists contribute to advances in health, food production, and environmental sustainability. Career paths often lead into medical research, biotech companies, government agencies, or entrepreneurship in biotech start-ups.
Clinical Research Associate
Clinical research associates (CRAs) play a key role in developing new medicines and therapies. They monitor clinical trials, ensuring studies comply with ethical standards and regulatory requirements while collecting accurate data on patient safety and treatment effectiveness.
CRAs are in demand across Australia’s pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, and medical research institutes. The role provides strong career pathways into senior research management, regulatory affairs, or project leadership in international trials.
Sources: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2025 | Glassdoor 2025
Microbiologist
Studies microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses to improve health, agriculture, and environmental systems. Microbiologists often work in labs within research, government, or industry.
Regulatory Affairs Officer
Ensures biotech products meet safety, ethical, and legal standards. Works across government and industry to guide compliance and policy.
Laboratory Technician
Provides technical support in labs by preparing samples, maintaining equipment, and assisting with experiments in biotech, medical, or environmental research.
Environmental Scientist
Applies biotechnology to environmental challenges such as waste management, pollution control, and climate resilience. Often progresses into consultancy or policy roles.
What will you study to start your career in biotechnology?
Explore genetics, microbiology, and molecular biology while gaining lab and research experience. Choose a minor to tailor your studies and complete an industry placement or research project.
Minors
Study aquaculture biology, water quality, nutrition, and fisheries management. Learn applied techniques for sustainable food production and prepare for careers in aquaculture and fisheries industries.
Learn machine learning, intelligent systems and automation. Apply AI to biodiversity, health, forensics, geospatial data, and business, preparing for data-driven roles across science, government and industry.
Investigate genetic engineering, microbial biotechnology and bioinformatics. Gain laboratory and data analysis skills with applications in medicine, agriculture and environmental science. Prepare for biotech research and diagnostics careers.
Understand climate systems and drivers of change. Study atmospheric science, oceanography and policy while developing modelling and communication skills for sustainability, adaptation and environmental advocacy roles.
Learn data engineering, machine learning and computational analysis. Extract insights from complex datasets for careers in science, technology, business, research and government data-driven roles.
Explore engineering design, ergonomics, and sustainable manufacture. Develop creativity, teamwork and problem-solving through practical design projects, preparing for careers in innovation, product development and applied engineering.
Explore marine ecosystems, biodiversity and ocean processes through fieldwork and lab studies. Develop skills in marine research, conservation and environmental monitoring to address global ocean challenges.
Explore the structure, reactivity and synthesis of carbon-based compounds. Study reaction mechanisms and stereochemistry with applications in pharmaceuticals, materials, and synthetic chemistry careers.
Explore plant biology, ecology and physiology. Gain field and lab experience in plant diversity and adaptation, preparing for careers in conservation, agriculture, environmental management and research.
Learn from the experts.
Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to the industry.
Frequently asked questions.
Over the years, many questions have been asked by students before. For the quickest answers view our frequently asked questions or browse the full list @ Ask Flinders.
Biotechnology applies biology to create products and solutions, from new medicines to sustainable agriculture. It’s more industry- and application-focused than pure biology.
Yes. You can specialise with minors like Medical Biotechnology, Plant Science, Aquaculture, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and more.
Yes. You’ll gain lab experience throughout, with options for a research project, industry-based practicum, or applied science topic in your final year.
Graduates work in biotech companies, medical research, agriculture, environmental science, or government and regulatory roles.
Yes. You may work alongside researchers at Flinders Medical Centre and collaborate with partners in health, agriculture, and biotech industries.
Yes. It is not a prerequisite to start, but chemistry underpins many biotechnology processes. If you studied Year 12 chemistry, you can swap General Chemistry for other first-year options.
Yes, the degree can be studied full-time over three years or part-time equivalent.
- Applications are completed via SATAC
- Visit: satac.edu.au
The table below shows ATAR and Selection Rank data for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR commencing in Semester 1, 2025. It is limited to applicants that have recently completed secondary education (within the last two years). Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.
Notes:
<5 – less than 5 ATAR based offers made
N/A – This course uses additional selection criteria and therefore Selection Rank is not published
| ATAR-based offers only across all offer rounds | ATAR - Excluding adjustment factors | Selection Rank - ATAR plus any adjustment factors |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer | 95.20 | 99.95 |
| Median rank to receive an offer | 76.17 | 80.42 |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer | 57.75 | 61.00 |
| Applicant background (Semester 1, 2025) | Number of students | Percentage of all students |
|---|---|---|
| Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | 44 | 37% |
| Vocational education and training (VET) study | 5 | 4% |
| Work and life experience | <5 | <5 |
| Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) | 28 | 24% |
| Recent secondary education - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test) | <5 | <5 |
| Recent secondary education - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways) | 17 | 14% |
| International Students | 18 | 15% |
| All students | 118 | 100% |
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online
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