How to become an Engineering Surveyor

Inspects, evaluates, measures, sets-out and monitors infrastructure and construction works to ensure structures are built to plan.

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

Ways in

• University: Architecture & Built Environment degrees, Offered by 24 universities in Australia
• University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying (CPC60121); Advanced Diploma of Surveying (CPP60121); Certificate III in Civil Construction (RII30920); Certificate III in Surveying and Spatial Information Services (CPP30221); Certificate IV in Civil Construction (RII40720); Certificate IV in Civil Construction Design (RII40820); Certificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Services (CPP41721); Diploma of Surveying (CPP50121)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $119,600 a year
• About 19,600 people work in this job group now, and about 23,200 are projected by 2035. (+18.6%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Cartographer
• Geospatial Specialist
• Land Surveyor
• Mine Surveyor

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Engineering Surveyor?

Ways in include: Architecture & Built Environment degrees; Engineering degrees; Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying; Advanced Diploma of Surveying.

How much does an Engineering Surveyor earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $119,600 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Engineering Surveyor a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 19% by 2035, from about 19,600 to about 23,200 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Engineering Surveyor?

Not always. 53% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Architecture & Built Environment degrees; Engineering degrees; Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying; Advanced Diploma of Surveying.

Will AI change the work of an Engineering Surveyor?

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