The Doctor of Philosophy (Marketing) is Australia's highest research qualification in the marketing discipline, classified under the Management and Commerce field of education. As a Higher Degree by Research (HDR), at least two-thirds of the program must consist of original research, with candidates producing a substantial doctoral thesis under the close guidance of expert supervisors and associate supervisors. The degree prepares graduates to make an original, significant, and rigorous contribution to the body of marketing knowledge — through the discovery of new facts, the formulation of new theories, or the innovative reinterpretation of known data and established ideas. Research areas commonly explored include consumer behaviour, digital marketing, branding and brand management, marketing ethics, social marketing, relationship marketing, marketing strategy, services marketing, cross-cultural consumer research, and the intersection of artificial intelligence and marketing practice.

The PhD in Marketing is designed for highly motivated individuals who wish to operate at the frontiers of the discipline. This typically includes those aspiring to academic careers at universities or research institutions, as well as professionals seeking deep expertise for senior roles in market research, corporate strategy, policy development, or management consulting. The program combines initial coursework in research methods, marketing theory, and empirical approaches with a sustained, independent research project that culminates in a thesis examined by international experts. Candidates typically complete the degree in three to four years full-time, or up to eight years part-time, depending on the institution and candidature type.

Graduates of the PhD in Marketing are sought by a diverse range of employers. Within academia, universities across Australia and internationally compete for graduates to fill lecturer, senior lecturer, and research fellow positions in business schools. Beyond academia, employers include large corporations, management consulting firms, government departments and agencies, market research organisations, industry bodies, public health and social policy entities, financial institutions, and technology companies. The degree signals the highest level of analytical rigour, independent thinking, and evidence-based problem-solving — skills that are increasingly valued across both the public and private sectors in Australia.

To be considered for admission to a Doctor of Philosophy (Marketing) in Australia, applicants must typically hold a qualifying degree at Level 8 or 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). This means an Australian Bachelor degree with at least Second Class Honours Division A (First Class Honours is strongly preferred) with a substantial thesis component in a relevant discipline such as marketing, management, business, psychology, or a related field. Alternatively, applicants may hold a Master of Philosophy, or a two-year coursework Master degree that includes a research thesis component equivalent to at least 25 percent of the final year's full-time study, with both the thesis grade and overall GPA achieving a Distinction level (typically 70–75 percent or higher, depending on the institution). Some universities offer pre-doctoral pathway programs for applicants who do not yet meet the direct entry standard, which allow candidates to build research skills before transitioning into the PhD. A detailed and well-developed research proposal that identifies a viable research question, relevant theoretical frameworks, and appropriate methodologies is almost universally required as part of the application. Entry is also assessed on the availability of suitable supervisors with expertise in the applicant's proposed research area, making early contact with potential supervisors strongly advisable.

International applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency. Most Australian universities require a minimum IELTS Academic overall score of 7.0 with at least 7.0 in the writing band and no band below 6.0, or TOEFL iBT of 94 overall with a writing score of at least 23–27, depending on the institution. The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), Cambridge English Advanced (CAE), and other accepted tests may also be submitted in lieu of IELTS. Admission to PhD programs in Marketing is highly competitive; meeting minimum entry requirements does not guarantee a place, as the number of candidates admitted each year is limited by supervisor capacity and available resources. Prior peer-reviewed research publications, industry experience in marketing roles, and demonstrated familiarity with the academic marketing literature are viewed very favourably and can significantly strengthen an application.