Engineering Surveyor
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Why this shortage: Long training gap
Snapshot
Median salary
A$114,100
Full-time annual
People employed
9,700
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Inspects, evaluates, measures, sets-out and monitors infrastructure and construction works to ensure structures are built to plan.
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Measures, sets-out and monitors construction projects, including high rise buildings, roads, tunnels, airports and other forms of infrastructure, to ensure they are built in accordance with design specifications
- Performs surveys, fieldwork, calculations, data reduction and manipulation on construction sites using specialised software and technical equipment, such as theodolites, global positioning systems (GPS), lasers, and aerial and terrestrial scanners
- Completes as-constructed survey reports and plans to confirm a construction project conforms to the intended design and specifications
- Prepares data models for set-out and machine guidance to assist in planning, executing, monitoring and evaluating surveying work
- Works with construction professionals, Architects, property owners, and Civil Engineers to provide accurate survey information for project planning and design phases
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
14%
Female rate
5%
Median age
39
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+10%
1,995 projected jobs
to 2035
+19%
3,640 projected jobs
Moving 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 may be required.
Official VET pathways
Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Surveying and Spatial Information Services
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Services
Progression pathway
Diploma of Surveying
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Surveying
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Civil Construction
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Civil Construction
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Civil Construction Design
Progression pathway
Related study options
Bachelor
Compare university ROIReal jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
128
ACT · May 2026
6
VIC · May 2026
46
NT · May 2026
4
SA · May 2026
21
NSW · May 2026
94
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Engineering Surveyor.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Perth - South West
804 estimated employed
- 1
Perth - South West
804 employed
WA
+9.24%
year on year
- 2
Central West
754 employed
NSW
0%
year on year
- 3
Gold Coast
699 employed
QLD
-24.6%
year on year
- 4
Brisbane Inner City
611 employed
QLD
-17.88%
year on year
- 5
Perth - North West
601 employed
WA
-9.08%
year on year
Need 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
8,895
Moved in from another occupation
880
Moved to another occupation
530
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
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 241232
- 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.