Civil Engineering Technician

Engineering, Manufacturing & Resources

Shortage Now

Shortage

States / territories with a shortage signal

NSWShortage

VICShortage

QLDShortage

WAShortage

SAShortage

TASShortage

NTShortage

ACTShortage

Snapshot

Median salary

A$96,900

Full-time annual

People employed

3,500

Estimated workforce

Shortage signal

Shortage (national)

Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.

Visa pathways

CSOL listed (verify visa)

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What you actually do

Conducts tests of construction materials, prepares sketches and tabulations, and assists in estimating costs in support of Civil Engineering Professionals and Engineering Technologists.

Specialisations

Civil Laboratory TechnicianHydraulic Engineering Technician (Civil)

Read official OSCA description

Skills & main tasks

Official main tasks

Prepares sketches, drawings and tabulations to assist in the design and planning of civil engineering projects
Performs laboratory testing and analyses data from construction sites to support Civil Engineering Professionals
Assists with the inspection, organisation and supervision of civil engineering works to ensure adherence to project timelines and compliance with engineering specifications and safety standards
Assists with estimating quantities and costs of materials and labour required for civil engineering projects

Where people work

State / territory distribution

QLD

31.6%

NSW

23.4%

VIC

19.1%

14.4%

TAS

2.2%

1.4%

ACT

1.1%

Highest education

Share of workers

Certificate III / IV28.3%

Advanced diploma / diploma21.3%

Bachelor degree16.1%

Year 1214.8%

Postgraduate6%

Year 10 and below5.4%

Year 112.9%

Education & work pattern

Part-time

13%

Female rate

14%

Median age

2030 & 2035 employment outlook

to 2030

+5%

837 projected jobs

to 2035

+11%

1,807 projected jobs

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Credentials & 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 Management

Occupation ready

Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services

Progression pathway

Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations

Progression pathway

Certificate III in Civil Construction

Progression pathway

Certificate III in Civil Foundations

Progression pathway

Certificate III in Trenchless Technology

Progression pathway

Certificate IV in Civil Construction

Progression pathway

Certificate IV in Civil Construction Design

Progression pathway

Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction

Specialised training

Certificate III in Laboratory Skills

Transferable skills

Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques

Transferable skills

Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design

Transferable skills

Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Management

Transferable skills

Diploma of Civil Construction Design

Transferable skills

Diploma of Laboratory Technology

Transferable skills

Related study options

Bachelor

Compare university ROI

Bachelor of Applied Science (Aviation)

3 years · Official university page

Postgraduate & Master

Compare university ROI

Master of Engineering (Civil Engineering)

2 years · Official university page

Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) (Honours)

4 years · Official university page

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

4 years · Official university page

Real jobs right now

Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & more

See all job ads on SEEK

Current vacancy signal

QLD · May 2026

ACT · May 2026

VIC · May 2026

NT · May 2026

SA · May 2026

NSW · May 2026

Where could this career take you?

Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Civil Engineering Technician.

Explore this career on Maps

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

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Possible next career moves

Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.

2020–2021

Workers in this occupation

2,760

Moved in from another occupation

405

Moved to another occupation

290

Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.

1
Civil Engineer
55 observed moves
Shortage +22035 +21% · +3CSOL listed
5
points
2
Construction Project Manager
10 observed moves
Shortage +22035 +22% · +3CSOL listed
5
points

Data status

Classification: OSCA 313132
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.