How to become a Quantity Surveyor

Determines, analyses and manages the costs associated with construction projects, including the feasibility, design, construction and operation stages.

Main tasks

• Prepares cost estimates for construction projects based on varying levels of design
• Prepares detailed cost plans for budgetary control, including bills of quantities, and manages progress payments
• Monitors the project through the construction phases and adjusts cost based on variations
• Prepares tender documents and evaluates contractor bids
• Prepares tax depreciation reports
• Prepares replacement cost assessments for insurance purposes
• Engages with key stakeholders, including asset owners, financiers, Architects, builders, engineers and developers

Ways in

• University: Architecture & Built Environment degrees, Offered by 24 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 Civil Foundations (RII31220); Certificate IV in Civil Construction (RII40720); Diploma of Civil Construction Management (RII50420); Diploma of Surveying (CPP50121); Diploma of Building and Construction (Management) (CPC50320)
• 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.

Related jobs

• Building Surveyor
• Cartographer
• Architect
• Landscape Architect
• Urban Designer
• Engineering Surveyor

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Quantity Surveyor?

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

How much does a Quantity Surveyor earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $115,284 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Quantity Surveyor 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 Quantity Surveyor?

Usually. 81% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Quantity Surveyor?

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