Key information
Start dates
March
July
Delivery mode*
In person
(Bedford Park)
Turn your childhood passion into a scientific profession
Palaeontology offers a wide range of career opportunities. With the increasing focus on understanding our planet's history and evolution, the demand for skilled palaeontologists is on the rise.
Palaeontologist
As a palaeontologist, you’ll study ancient life through fossil records, helping us understand evolution, past environments, and even the future of climate and biodiversity. In Australia, this can include working in academic research, contributing to museum collections, and conducting field expeditions in fossil-rich regions like South Australia and Queensland. Many palaeontologists also publish scientific research, consult on environmental assessments, or teach.
You could specialise in dinosaurs, megafauna, marine life, or microfossils, and work in universities, museums, heritage agencies and environmental science firms.
Museum curator
Museum curators with a background in palaeontology manage fossil collections, develop public exhibits, and support education programs. They often combine scientific expertise with communication and outreach, collaborating with researchers, schools and cultural institutions.
Sources: Jobs and Skills Australia, 2024 | Seek Australia, 2024
Science communicator
Translate palaeontological research into engaging content for museums, documentaries, or science media.
Heritage officer
Assess fossil sites of national or cultural significance and advise on conservation strategies. Often employed by local councils or government.
Geoscience technician
Work in mining, research or environmental sectors preparing and analysing geological samples.
Environmental consultant
Advise developers or governments on land use, integrating fossil data and site heritage considerations.
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.
Yes! Flinders offers the only named Bachelor of Science (Palaeontology) in the country - with specialist teaching and research opportunities.
Fieldwork is part of the fun - but you’ll also spend time in labs, libraries and lecture theatres. Enthusiasm is more important than survival skills!
Yes - many graduates go on to work in collections, research, education or exhibit design.
Dinosaurs are part of it—but you’ll also study ancient fish, marine reptiles, megafauna, and microscopic life from throughout Earth’s history.
Yes! Field trips and fossil excavations are a core part of your practical learning experience.
You might help describe a new species, study bone microstructure, or analyse a fossil site’s ancient ecosystem.
- 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
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