Civil Engineering Draftsperson
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$96,900
Full-time annual
People employed
6,800
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Prepares detailed drawings and plans for civil engineering work in support of Civil Engineering Professionals and Engineering Technologists.
Alternative titles
Civil Designer
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Prepares detailed drawings and plans for civil engineering projects
- Uses computer design software to convert civil engineering sketches into digital documents
- Creates topographical and relief maps of locations hosting new civil development projects
- Incorporates design changes and updates into existing drawings and plans based on feedback from engineers and architects
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
14%
Female rate
18%
Median age
40
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+5%
837 projected jobs
to 2035
+11%
1,807 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 2
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
Diploma of Civil Construction Design
Occupation ready
Certificate IV in Civil Construction Design
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Civil Construction
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Engineering Drafting
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Civil Foundations
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design
Specialised training
Related study options
Bachelor
Compare university ROIReal jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
68
ACT · May 2026
1
VIC · May 2026
21
NT · May 2026
1
SA · May 2026
12
NSW · May 2026
52
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Civil Engineering Draftsperson.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
867 estimated employed
- 1
Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
867 employed
NSW
-6.97%
year on year
- 2
Perth - South West
700 employed
WA
-0.43%
year on year
- 3
Perth - South East
556 employed
WA
-28.35%
year on year
- 4
Logan - Beaudesert
477 employed
QLD
-20.1%
year on year
- 5
Brisbane - South
474 employed
QLD
-16.11%
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
7,280
Moved in from another occupation
750
Moved to another occupation
580
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
4
points
- 4
4
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 313131
- Last updated
- 2026-01-23
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2025 Shortage List + ABS EEH May 2025
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: verified.