How to become a Cost Controller

Also called: Project Cost Controller

Measures, analyses and monitors the cost of projects throughout their lifecycle to ensure completion within allocated budgets, and recommends changes to reduce expenses.

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

Ways in

• University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 39 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Project Management Practice (BSB40920); Certificate III in Accounts Administration (FNS30322); Certificate IV in Building Project Support (CPC40320); Certificate IV in Civil Construction (RII40720); Diploma of Civil Construction Management (RII50420)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $113,828 a year
• About 57,100 people work in this job group now, and about 72,300 are projected by 2035. (+26.6%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Cost Controller?

Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees; Certificate IV in Project Management Practice; Certificate III in Accounts Administration.

How much does a Cost Controller earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $113,828 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Cost Controller a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 27% by 2035, from about 57,100 to about 72,300 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Cost Controller?

Usually. 73% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Cost Controller?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

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