How to become a Civil Engineer
Plans, designs, organises and oversees the construction and operation of dams, bridges, pipelines, gas supply schemes, airports and other civil engineering projects.
Main tasks
- Analyses site locations and conducts surveys to determine the feasibility and requirements of civil engineering projects
- Undertakes calculations, designs and develops specifications for civil engineering projects, and provides solutions to design-related issues
- Studies, evaluates and reports on the environmental implications of civil engineering projects to ensure compliance with existing regulations
- Determines construction methods, materials and quality standards for civil engineering projects
Ways in
- University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
- TAFE and VET: Graduate Diploma of Engineering (MEM80122); Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design (RII60520); Advanced Diploma of Engineering - Planning (MEM60322); Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations (RII30820); Certificate IV in Civil Construction (RII40720); Certificate IV in Civil Construction Design (RII40820); Diploma of Civil Construction Design (RII50520)
- Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $115,284 a year
- About 76,300 people work in this job group now, and about 92,300 are projected by 2035. (+21%)
- AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Civil Engineer?
Ways in include: Engineering degrees; Graduate Diploma of Engineering; Advanced Diploma of Civil Construction Design.
How much does a Civil Engineer earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $115,284 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Civil Engineer a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 21% by 2035, from about 76,300 to about 92,300 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Civil Engineer?
Usually. 89% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Civil Engineer?
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.
Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
- Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04
Updated 2026-10-04