Cost Controller
Shortage Now
JSA currently reports no national or state/territory shortage signal for this occupation.
Snapshot
Median salary
Not available
People employed
50,100
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
No shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Measures, analyses and monitors the cost of projects throughout their lifecycle to ensure completion within allocated budgets, and recommends changes to reduce expenses.
Alternative titles
Project Cost Controller
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Analyses production and cost data to determine if projects will be completed within the allocated budget, and to forecast expenses and potential cost savings
- Analyses and maintains records of the variance between allocated budgets and actual project costs using cost control tools
- Oversees the distribution of budgeted funds throughout the lifecycle of projects to identify variances and provide recommendations to minimise cost overruns
- Develops and analyses cost reports, and communicates the results to the project team and Managers
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
14%
Female rate
46%
Median age
38
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+16%
9,137 projected jobs
to 2035
+27%
15,203 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.
Official VET pathways
Certificate IV in Building Project Support
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Accounts Administration
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Civil Construction
Progression pathway
Diploma of Civil Construction Management
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Project Management Practice
Specialised training
Real jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
79
ACT · May 2026
7
VIC · May 2026
52
NT · May 2026
8
SA · May 2026
18
NSW · May 2026
65
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Cost Controller.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Australian Capital Territory
2,963 estimated employed
- 1
Australian Capital Territory
2,963 employed
ACT
+22.24%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - Inner
2,685 employed
VIC
-12.65%
year on year
- 3
Sydney - Inner South West
2,135 employed
NSW
-10.78%
year on year
- 4
Brisbane Inner City
1,886 employed
QLD
+14.37%
year on year
- 5
Melbourne - West
1,759 employed
VIC
-7.66%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
6,935
Moved in from another occupation
2,585
Moved to another occupation
1,355
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
4
points
- 2
3
points
- 3
3
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
2
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 223932
- 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.