Architect
Shortage Now
JSA currently reports no national or state/territory shortage signal for this occupation.
Snapshot
Median salary
Not available
People employed
19,300
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
No shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Plans and designs residential and multi-residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Provides concepts, plans, specifications and detailed drawings. Negotiates with builders and consultants, and advises on the procurement of buildings.
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Works with clients, engineers, consultants and other stakeholders to determine their requirements and objectives for architectural projects
- Develops detailed, innovative, sustainable and functional architectural designs, taking into consideration social, environmental and economic concerns
- Conducts site inspections to assess project feasibility and submit town planning designs for permits
- Addresses requests for information as part of contract administration from consultants, engineers and other stakeholders involved in the building construction process
- Evaluates and selects appropriate building materials, finishes and systems to achieve sustainability objectives
- Completes design tasks (3D modelling) in accordance with project and client design briefs
- Utilises building information modelling (BIM), and applies relevant building regulations and codes to manage the planning and design of building projects
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
19%
Female rate
34%
Median age
40
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+10%
3,174 projected jobs
to 2035
+19%
5,940 projected jobs
WiseAffiliate linkMoving abroad to study?
Pay tuition and send money home at the real exchange rate with Wise.
Open a free Wise accountCredentials & Pathway
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 is required.
Official VET pathways
Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Residential Drafting
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Building Design
Progression pathway
Graduate Diploma of Building Design
Progression pathway
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
90
VIC · May 2026
105
NT · May 2026
0
TAS · May 2026
2
ACT · May 2026
40
NSW · May 2026
171
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Architect.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Melbourne - Inner
4,061 estimated employed
- 1
Melbourne - Inner
4,061 employed
VIC
+7.6%
year on year
- 2
Brisbane Inner City
1,970 employed
QLD
+11.61%
year on year
- 3
Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby
1,508 employed
NSW
+23.2%
year on year
- 4
Sydney - City and Inner South
1,353 employed
NSW
-9.5%
year on year
- 5
Gold Coast
1,322 employed
QLD
+18.14%
year on year
AiraloAffiliate linkNeed a local eSIM when you arrive?
Stay connected from day one with an affordable Airalo eSIM — 200+ countries covered.
Get your eSIMPossible next career moves
Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
17,360
Moved in from another occupation
1,625
Moved to another occupation
1,120
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
5
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 241131
- Last updated
- 2026-07-16
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · Department of Home Affairs Core Skills Occupation List matched via ABS OSCA 2024 v1.0 correspondence Table 2
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: official-profile-and-csol.