The Master of Applied Science (MAppSc) is a postgraduate qualification sitting at Level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework, designed for graduates who wish to deepen their scientific expertise and apply advanced knowledge to real-world challenges across the natural and physical sciences. The degree spans disciplines including biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, mathematics, statistics, data science, health science, medical physics, aquaculture, geospatial science, and materials science, among others. Students may pursue the degree as a primarily coursework-based program, a blended coursework-and-research program, or a full research (thesis) pathway — typically completed in one to two years full-time (or up to four years part-time), with the research pathway resulting in an original contribution to knowledge. Specialisations allow students to tailor their study toward specific industries or scientific fields, making this one of the most flexible postgraduate science degrees available in Australia.

The degree is designed for science graduates seeking career advancement, professionals looking to pivot into a more specialised scientific role, and aspiring researchers wanting a stepping stone to a PhD. Employers who actively recruit MAppSc graduates span both the public and private sectors, including government research agencies such as CSIRO and ANSTO, state and federal environmental departments, hospitals and healthcare networks, defence and aerospace organisations, mining and resources companies, pharmaceutical and biotech firms, agricultural bodies, tertiary education institutions, and private scientific consulting firms. The interdisciplinary nature of the degree means graduates are highly versatile, bringing both technical rigour and applied problem-solving skills to complex scientific challenges.

To gain entry into a Master of Applied Science in Australia, applicants typically need a relevant bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a natural or physical science discipline, such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, environmental science, or a cognate field. For coursework-and-research blended programs, a bachelor's degree with a Credit average (approximately 60–65% or higher) is commonly required. For research-intensive or thesis-only pathways, universities typically require an Honours degree, a graduate diploma with a significant research component, or demonstrated professional experience and knowledge in the relevant field of study. Some programs also require applicants to identify a potential research supervisor and submit a research proposal or statement of intent as part of the application process. Applicants with significant relevant industry experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis even without a postgraduate research background.

English language proficiency requirements apply to all international applicants, and typically to domestic applicants who completed their prior qualification in a non-English-speaking context. The standard benchmark is an IELTS overall score of 7.0, with no individual band score below 6.5, though this may vary by institution and specialisation. Equivalent scores from TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge English may also be accepted. Applicants whose prior degree was conducted entirely in English from a recognised English-speaking country are generally exempt from this requirement. Additional requirements may include academic transcripts, referee reports, a curriculum vitae, and — for certain specialisations such as medical physics — evidence of prior study in specific prerequisite subjects such as calculus, quantum physics or anatomy.