Toxicologist

Toxicologists are specialist scientists who study how exposure to chemicals, biological substances, and other toxins can impact the health of humans, animals, and the natural environment. They can work in three different areas: clinical, research, and analysis and are critical fields like environmental science, marine biology, forensics, pharmaceuticals, food science, and medical research.

As a Toxicologist you could be testing groundwater for toxic chemicals, studying the impact of microplastics on fish and human health, screening human tissue samples for toxins, entering research data into a structured database, writing a report on your research findings for an academic institution, replacing stocks of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and testing equipment, writing a set of recommendations for safely using toxic substances, or attending an international conference for toxicologists, biochemists, and biomedical professionals.

To succeed in this occupation you will need outstanding analytical skills, a passionate desire to prevent toxic substances from causing harm, and the ability to create meaningful reports and written recommendations from your research findings.

Future demand Medium
Average yearly income $97,240
Skill level Unknown

How do I become a toxicologist?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced

Bachelor of Medicinal Chemistry (Honours)
On Campus
4 years
$0 - $32,000
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Pharmacologist Toxicologist Pharmaceutical Scientist
Medicinal Chemist
+ 1 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Pharmacologist Toxicologist Pharmaceutical Scientist Medicinal Chemist + 1 more
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

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Common questions

How much do Toxicologists earn?

There are no clear salary figures for qualified Toxicologists currently employed in Australia. Increase your earning capacity by obtaining post-graduate qualifications in a specialist area such as forensics, biomedicine, genetics, or environmental science, and joining an industry association like the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT).

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What are the job opportunities for Toxicologists?

There are no clear employment figures for Australian Toxicologists at this time. They are employed by scientific and medical research centres, hospitals, universities and academic institutions, police forces and forensic investigation teams, government health organisations, conservation agencies, and more.

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How do I become a Toxicologist?

You can become a professional Toxicologist in Australia with a Bachelor of Pharmacology and Toxicology or a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry), but you will have a wider range of employment opportunities by obtaining a post-graduate qualification such as the Master of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Master of Forensic Science, or Master of Science (Applied Chemistry). There are a lot of academic pathways for this occupation.

Source: Australian Government Labour Market Insights 2023

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Further reading

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