The Master of General and Applied Linguistics is a postgraduate degree that explores the scientific study of human language — how it is structured, how it is acquired, how it functions in society, and how it can be analysed, taught, and applied in real-world contexts. Covering both general linguistics (phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics) and applied branches (sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, language acquisition, TESOL, forensic linguistics, and language documentation), the degree equips students with rigorous theoretical knowledge alongside practical research and professional skills. Students engage deeply with current research, explore established and emerging methodological approaches, and carry out guided research activities across diverse linguistic fields — including structural linguistics, language contact, language and culture, social interaction, and Indigenous language revitalisation, which is a particularly important area in the Australian context.

This degree is designed for a broad range of students: language teachers wishing to advance their professional standing, graduates in humanities, education, communication or social sciences seeking specialist expertise, professionals working in translation, interpreting, speech pathology, or language policy, and those aiming for academic or research careers. The program is equally well-suited to people who wish to expand their knowledge of language for professional purposes and those who would like to undertake further research in the field. Australian universities offer flexible entry points depending on prior qualifications and experience, with full-time durations typically ranging from one to two years.

Graduates are sought after by a wide range of employers across the public and private sectors. Key employers include educational institutions (schools, TAFE, and universities), government agencies (including the Australian Public Service, immigration and multicultural affairs bodies), international organisations, language technology companies, publishing houses, national broadcasters such as the ABC, and NGOs working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Industries including education, translation, editing, publishing, language data analysis, and emerging language technologies — including natural language processing for artificial intelligence — represent some of the fastest-growing areas of employment for linguistics graduates in Australia.

Most Australian universities require applicants to hold a recognised bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an accredited institution. Entry pathways and minimum academic achievement thresholds vary by provider, with many requiring a credit average (around 65% WAM) or above. Some programs offer multiple entry streams based on a student's prior study or professional experience — for example, applicants with an honours degree or graduate diploma in a cognate discipline may be eligible to enter at an advanced standing point, while those without a background in linguistics may enter a longer program that includes foundation subjects. Cognate disciplines typically accepted include linguistics, applied linguistics, TESOL, languages, English language teaching, communication studies, speech pathology, interpreting and translation, cognitive science, and philosophy. Relevant professional work experience — such as paid employment in language teaching, language assessment, translation, interpreting, or language data analysis — may also be considered as an alternative or complementary entry pathway at some institutions.

All applicants who have not completed their prior study in English are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. Common accepted tests include IELTS (typically an overall band score of 6.5 to 7.0, with minimum sub-scores in each component), TOEFL iBT (overall scores around 87–100+), and PTE Academic. Specific score requirements vary by institution and program level. Domestic students who have completed Australian secondary or tertiary qualifications in English are generally exempt from providing additional English evidence. International students should check individual provider requirements carefully, as some programs have higher thresholds given the language-intensive nature of the coursework. Some universities also offer graduate certificate or graduate diploma pathways into the master's program, which can reduce overall completion time by six months to one year.