Sales

Sales career: the complete Australian guide

Build a career in one of Australia’s most performance-driven and commercially focused fields. Sales and business development roles sit at the core of how companies generate revenue, making them essential across industries, from retail and property to SaaS, finance and professional services.

With accessible entry points, strong earning potential and clear progression tied to performance, sales jobs in Australia continue to attract jobseekers looking for both immediate income and long-term career growth.

Overview of the sales industry in Australia

Sales is not confined to one sector. It operates across both B2C (business-to-consumer) environments such as retail, automotive and real estate and B2B (business-to-business) environments like technology, finance and enterprise services.

B2C roles typically focus on shorter sales cycles, higher transaction volume and customer-facing interactions. In contrast, B2B and tech sales jobs often involve longer deal cycles, higher contract values and relationship-based selling with measurable revenue targets.

Across Australia, sales roles are embedded in nearly every major industry, contributing to a broad employment base.

Key trends shaping the sector include:

• Growth in tech sales jobs driven by increasing need for advanced SaaS and digital services
• Increased availability of remote sales jobs in Australia, particularly in contact centres and digital sales teams
• Greater reliance on CRM systems and data-driven sales processes
• Shift towards customer retention and long-term account management

Common sales and business development careers

Sales jobs in Australia cover a range of roles with increasing responsibility and earning potential:

Sales Development Representative (SDR)

Focuses on lead generation, outbound prospecting and qualifying opportunities for senior sales teams.

Business Development Manager (BDM)

Drives new business growth by identifying opportunities, managing pipeline and closing deals.

Account Executive (AE)

Owns the full sales cycle, from initial engagement to closing, with direct responsibility for revenue.

Sales Manager

Leads sales teams, manages targets and oversees performance across pipelines and accounts.

See all sales role descriptions

Sales salaries and rates

Sales roles operate on market-based compensation rather than Awards. Earnings typically combine a base salary with commission, bonuses or On-Target Earnings (OTE), creating significant upside for high performers.

Entry-level sales roles often start with modest base pay and smaller commission structures. Meanwhile, experienced professionals in business development careers and account management roles can earn substantially more. In high-growth sectors such as SaaS, finance and enterprise services, total earnings can exceed standard salary benchmarks.

See full sales salary guide

How to start a career in sales

Most sales careers begin in entry-level roles such as SDR, inbound sales or customer-facing positions. These roles provide exposure to targets, customer interaction and pipeline management without requiring formal qualifications.

Progression is performance-driven. Moving into roles such as Business Development Manager or Account Executive depends on consistent results, the ability to manage opportunities and confidence in handling revenue responsibility.

View sales career pathways

Essential skills and qualifications

Success in any sales job in Australia depends on a combination of technical capability and behavioural skills. Employers prioritise:

• Communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to work towards KPIs and revenue targets
• Resilience in high-pressure environments
• CRM system familiarity (e.g. Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Commercial awareness and problem-solving

Formal qualifications can support your application, but measurable performance and practical experience are the primary drivers of progression.

See full sales skills guide

Find sales jobs in Brisbane, Melbourne and across Australia today at CareerOne

Sales roles vary widely depending on industry, deal size and level of responsibility. Review job descriptions alongside your current experience to identify where you fit and what’s required to move into higher-paying roles.

CareerOne brings together sales jobs in Australia across B2C, B2B and tech environments. Compare responsibilities, assess required skills and filter opportunities by experience level or work setup.