How to become a Business Analyst

Are you looking for a career change or wanting to start a new career in business analysis? Then you’ve come to the right place! Becoming a business analyst in Australia is an exciting profession and you could get to work on amazing new technology and products. Before you get started, it’s important you understand what is required of you and how you can best prepare yourself for the role. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through what it takes to become a successful business analyst in Australia.

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‍What is a business analyst?

A business analyst (BA) is responsible for analysing data and developing products and solutions, typically for IT projects. The role requires someone who can identify areas of improvement in existing software, develop requirements, and communicate effectively with stakeholders. As such, this position requires strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, analytical thinking and excellent communication skills.

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What education is required?

In order to become a business analyst in Australia, there are no hard and fast rules, however most companies are looking for people with qualifications such as a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) or a Bachelor of IT Systems. Because you will be working on IT projects, it helps to have some experience in this domain. It is also important that you have experience working with data analysis software such as Microsoft Excel or Tableau.  Additionally, having industry experience related to the area of expertise desired by your potential employer will give you an edge over other candidates.  

What are the key skills needed?

There are several skills that are essential if you want to succeed as a business analyst. These include being able to analyse large amounts of data quickly and accurately; having excellent problem-solving skills; being adept at communicating with stakeholders; interpreting and documenting business requirements, understanding different software applications used for data analysis; possessing knowledge about business processes; and the ability to develop effective strategies for improving operational efficiency. Being able to communicate effectively with different parts of a business, from leadership down, is also important as BA’s have to interface with many different areas.

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The lowdown:

1.  Get a degree in business, IT, finance, or a related field

2.  Complete an internship or graduate role as a business analyst or a related field

3.  Attend conferences and seminars on business analysis

4.  Read books and articles on business analysis

5.  Getting certified in business analysis is a bonus and can increase your income

6.  Register as a sole trader or company

7.  Look for contracting roles as a business analyst.

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Becoming a business analyst is a fun and interesting career path which is perfectly suited to people who like solving problems and working in teams. Becoming a business analyst is not an easy task, but it can be achieved with the right qualifications and skill set. Having at least one of the required qualifications plus experience working with data analysis software will give you an advantage when applying for jobs. Additionally, ensuring that your skill set matches up with what employers are looking for will give you the best chances of success when applying for roles as a business analyst in Australia.  

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