How to become a surveyor in Australia
Surveyors plan, direct and conduct survey work to determine, delineate, plan and precisely position tracts of land, natural and constructed features, coastlines, marine floors and underground works, and manage related information systems.
Pay and growth are for the wider surveyors and spatial scientists group, which is as fine as the data goes. The all-jobs median is $1,852 a week. Jobs in the surveyors and spatial scientists group are projected to grow 18.6% between May 2025 and May 2035, faster than the 13.3% projected for all jobs. Projections are indicative, not forecasts, and JSA says they don't yet reflect generative AI.
What the job involves
- Undertakes research and development of surveying and photogrammetric measurement systems, cadastral systems and land information systems.
- Plans and designs land subdivision projects and negotiates details with local governments and other authorities.
- Advises architects, engineering professionals, environmental and other scientists or other relevant professionals on the technical requirements of surveying, mapping and spatial information systems.
- Compiles and evaluates data, interprets codes of practice, and writes reports concerning survey measurement, land use and tenure.
- Prepares site plans and survey reports required for conveyance and land ownership matters.
How to get there
What it usually takes. A bachelor degree or higher. This is the skill level Jobs and Skills Australia gives the surveyors and spatial scientists group, and some roles differ.
What people in the job have. Highest qualification held: 53% a degree or higher, 25% a diploma, 8% a Certificate III or IV.
Many jobs also need registration, a licence or a specific accredited course. Check the professional body or regulator before you choose.
Courses that can lead here
Estimate your ATAR and this page shows the gap to each course. Your marks stay on your device.
Victoria1 match
VTAC lowest selection ranks, December 2025 offer round.
Surveying (Honours) · RMIT, City70.25NSW and ACT7 matches
UAC lowest selection ranks, December Round 2, 2025-26 admissions.
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Surveying) · UNSW99.95 Bachelor of Geospatial Science · Charles Sturt66.55Diplomas and other ways in
Queensland6 matches
QTAC course pages, ATAR/Selection Rank profile for semester 1, 2026.
Bachelor of Surveying (Honours) · UniSQ, Springfield78.10 Bachelor of Surveying Technology · UniSQ, Springfield68.15Diplomas and other ways in
Associate Degree of Surveying · UniSQ, External63.80Showing 3 of 6 matches. Search every course.
Western Australia4 matches
TISC Course Search: lowest ATAR offered for 2026 entry and guaranteed offer ATARs.
Bachelor of Geographical and Spatial Science and Master of Environmental Science · UWA, Perth90.00 guaranteed Bachelor of Geographical and Spatial Science · UWA, Perth80.00 guaranteed Bachelor of Surveying (Honours) · Curtin, Perth65.75 Bachelor of Mine and Engineering Surveying · Curtin, Perth62.55Matched on course names, 18 across four admissions centres. A lowest selection rank includes adjustment points and moves every year. Check prerequisites and whether the course is accredited for this job.
Graduate outcomes, national
Undergraduates surveyed about four to six months after finishing, in 2025, across all providers. Full-time work is among those available for it. All graduates: 75.4% and $77,000. These are national figures for the study area, not for this course or uni, and a first-year salary says little about later pay. Source: QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025.
Does it fit your interests?
Strongest interest areas for this kind of work: Conventional, Realistic, Investigative.
From O*NET ratings for "Surveyors", the closest US occupation in JSA's correspondence (a good match). US ratings are a guide to Australian jobs, not a measurement of them.
Careers with similar interests
Civil engineering technician$1,730 Mechanical engineer$2,614 Building inspector$2,280 Chemical engineer$2,849 Electrical engineer$2,553Done this job, or studied for it?
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Share your storyJob data: © Commonwealth of Australia, Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profiles, February 2026 and Employment Projections, May 2025 to May 2035 (Victoria University), CC BY 4.0. Jobs and Skills Australia, ANZSCO 2013 Version 1.2 to O*NET-SOC 2019 Taxonomy correspondence.
Graduate outcomes: QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025, National Report Tables (Social Research Centre, for the Australian Government).
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Curve ATAR has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.