Civil Engineer
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$121,600
Full-time annual
People employed
29,400
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Plans, designs, organises and oversees the construction and operation of dams, bridges, pipelines, gas supply schemes, airports and other civil engineering projects.
Specialisations
Scope note: Rail Engineers and Water Engineers are excluded from this occupation. Rail Engineers are included in Occupation 243233 Rail Engineer. Water Engineers are included in Occupation 243236 Water Engineer.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Analyses site locations and conducts surveys to determine the feasibility and requirements of civil engineering projects
- Undertakes calculations, designs and develops specifications for civil engineering projects, and provides solutions to design-related issues
- Studies, evaluates and reports on the environmental implications of civil engineering projects to ensure compliance with existing regulations
- Determines construction methods, materials and quality standards for civil engineering projects
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
11%
Female rate
15%
Median age
34
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+12%
8,834 projected jobs
to 2035
+21%
16,010 projected jobs
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OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing may be required.
Official VET pathways
Certificate IV in Civil Construction
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Engineering - Planning
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Civil Construction Design
Progression pathway
Diploma of Civil Construction Design
Progression pathway
Graduate Diploma of Engineering
Specialised training
Related study options
Bachelor
Compare university ROIReal jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
621
ACT · May 2026
36
VIC · May 2026
358
NT · May 2026
29
SA · May 2026
148
NSW · May 2026
642
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Civil Engineer.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Melbourne - West
4,323 estimated employed
- 1
Melbourne - West
4,323 employed
VIC
+11.79%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - Inner
4,044 employed
VIC
+5.15%
year on year
- 3
Melbourne - South East
3,382 employed
VIC
+18.54%
year on year
- 4
Melbourne - North West
2,822 employed
VIC
+14.72%
year on year
- 5
Perth - North West
2,542 employed
WA
-5.47%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
40,945
Moved in from another occupation
4,175
Moved to another occupation
2,075
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
5
points
- 2
5
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 243231
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.