Key facts
- Also known as
- Iteration manager, Agile delivery lead (titles vary by employer)
- Common certifications
- Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
- Nationally recognised qualification?
- There's no nationally recognised scrum master qualification. Scrum certifications are industry certifications.
- Common ways in
- Project coordination, business analysis, software development or testing roles
- Typical study time
- A few days to a few weeks for an entry-level certification
- Study mode
- Study online
- Qualification legally required?
- No, but many employers ask for a Scrum certification
What does a scrum master do?
A scrum master helps a team use Scrum well. They act as a servant leader, using leadership grounded in Agile principles rather than directing day-to-day work. Their core responsibilities are to coach the Scrum team, support continuous improvement, and facilitate the process in a way that helps people work effectively. They help the team deliver through the Scrum process, promote transparency, remove obstacles, and protect the team from outside distractions or scope creep so it can stay focused in short, regular cycles.
What is Scrum?
Scrum is a framework for delivering work in short cycles called sprints, usually between one and four weeks long. At the end of each sprint, the team delivers a usable piece of work, reviews it and adjusts its plans. Scrum is one of several Agile methods, alongside Kanban, Lean and extreme programming (XP). It uses short, repeated cycles and close collaboration to deliver steady value. Scrum started in software development and is now used in other areas, such as digital marketing and product teams.
Day-to-day tasks
Most scrum masters spend their week on a mix of:
- Running Scrum events: facilitating sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews and sprint retrospectives as a key forum for collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Removing blockers: managing issues that stop the team from progressing, and protecting the team when interruptions affect delivery.
- Coaching the team: helping team members understand and apply Scrum. A good scrum master helps the team organise itself and adapt to changing team dynamics.
- Supporting the product owner: helping the product owner find effective ways to manage the list of upcoming work, called the product backlog. The product owner decides the priorities.
- Tracking progress: using Agile project management tools such as Jira, Trello or Azure DevOps to make the team’s progress visible.
- Working with the wider organisation: helping other teams and leaders understand how the team works, with a focus on stakeholder management and improving Agile practices across the organisation.
How is a scrum master different from a project manager or product owner?
A scrum master focuses on how the team works. A product owner decides what the team works on. A project manager is accountable for delivering a project on time, on budget and to scope. The key difference is leadership style: a project manager typically directs tasks and decisions, while a scrum master supports the team through servant leadership and facilitation. Some organisations combine these roles, so read job ads carefully.
| Scrum master | Product owner | Project manager | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main focus | How well the team uses Scrum | What gets built and in what order | Delivering the project as planned |
| Manages people? | No, coaches and facilitates | No, sets priorities | Often directs the work of others |
| Accountable for | The team’s effectiveness | The value of what the team delivers | Time, budget and scope |
| Common certifications | PSM I, CSM | PSPO, CSPO | CAPM, PMP, PRINCE2 |
Do you need a qualification to be a scrum master?
No qualification is legally required. However, many employers list a Scrum certification such as PSM I or CSM as essential, and many job ads also ask for experience working in an Agile team.
A certification on its own is rarely enough to get your first scrum master role. Employers usually want to see that you can apply Scrum, coach and facilitate in real situations, not only that you’ve passed an exam.
How do you become a scrum master?
Most people become scrum masters after working in or alongside Agile teams in another role. The path usually looks like this.
- Learn how Scrum works Read the Scrum Guide, the free official description of the framework, to understand the roles, events, Scrum values and Agile concepts.
- Get a Scrum certification A scrum master certification helps show employers you understand the framework. PSM I or CSM are the most common starting points.
- Get experience in a Scrum team Roles such as project coordinator, business analyst, developer or tester let you see Scrum in action. For example, ask to help run stand-ups or retrospectives.
- Build your facilitation and coaching skills Running meetings, resolving disagreements and helping people improve are central to the role.
- Apply for scrum master or iteration manager roles Moving into the role within your current organisation is often easier, because your team already knows you.
Which Scrum certification should you choose?
Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) and Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) are the two most common entry-level scrum master certifications. Both are well recognised by employers. The main differences are whether you have to take a course and whether the certification needs renewing.
| Certification | Awarded by | Course required? | Renewal | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I) | Scrum.org | No. A course is recommended, but you can sit the online assessment directly. The exam typically costs about $285 (AUD), and some Scrum.org classes include a free attempt. | Doesn’t expire | People who want a lower upfront cost or are confident studying on their own |
| Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) | Scrum Alliance | Yes. You must complete a two-day training course (typically 16 hours) with a Certified Scrum Trainer before the exam. The exam has 50 multiple-choice questions and a 74% passing score. | Every two years, typically with 20 Scrum Education Units and a renewal fee | People who prefer structured, trainer-led learning |
| Advanced certifications (such as PSM II or A-CSM) | Scrum.org or Scrum Alliance | Varies | Varies | Working scrum masters who want to show more advanced skills |
PSM I and CSM are the most recognised starting credentials. Advanced certifications usually suit later career stages and more complex settings.
How much do scrum masters earn in Australia?
There’s no official salary figure for scrum masters in Australia. Jobs and Skills Australia doesn’t track scrum master as a separate occupation, so official earnings data isn’t available for the role.
According to SEEK, the average salary for a scrum master in Australia typically ranges from $135,000 to $145,000. Pay varies widely with experience, industry and location, and scrum masters are often employed on contracts as well as permanent roles. To get a sense of current pay, compare salaries in job ads for scrum master roles in your area.
Pay varies widely with experience, industry and location, and scrum masters are often employed on contracts as well as permanent roles. To get a sense of current pay, compare salaries in job ads for scrum master roles in your area.
Can you become a scrum master from another career?
Yes, but it usually takes a step in between. Scrum master roles tend to go to people who have already worked in Agile teams, so career changers often move into a related role first.
- From teaching, training or HR: your facilitation and coaching skills transfer well. Look for roles in digital or learning teams that use Agile.
- From project coordination or administration: you already understand delivery. Ask to join an Agile team and help run its events.
- From technical roles: developers, testers and business analysts already work in Agile teams, which makes the move more direct.
The skills that matter most are facilitation, coaching, conflict resolution and clear communication. Many of these are built in jobs outside technology.
Where can a scrum master role lead?
With experience, common next steps include:
- Senior scrum master: supporting several teams or more complex work.
- Agile coach: helping whole departments or organisations adopt Agile ways of working.
- Delivery or project management roles: some scrum masters move into delivery lead or IT project manager roles.
Related roles
- Project manager Plan, lead and deliver projects on time, on budget and to scope.
- Project coordinator Keep projects on track with schedules, documentation and team communication.
- Project officer Support project delivery through research, reporting and day-to-day administration.
- IT project manager Lead technology projects from planning and budgeting through to rollout.
About this article
Written by Kristen Michaelides
Content Marketing Manager. Kristen has spent 5 years writing about vocational education, course choice and career pathways.
Published Last updated
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