How to become an Urban Designer
Designs and plans the spatial form and layout of cities, towns, suburbs and precincts, considering the relationship between urban systems and social, environmental and economic needs.
Main tasks
- Designs and plans the division of land and layout of cities, towns and suburbs to integrate public spaces, infrastructure, buildings, streets and parks
- Performs site analysis using spatial data, and analyses the physical, cultural, social and environmental characteristics of sites to inform urban design projects
- Produces documents such as master plans, performs feasibility studies, and creates urban design guidelines
- Creates detailed drawings and plans utilising artistic and graphic skills to convert concepts into technical drawings using software, such as computer-aided design (CAD)
- Works with design and planning teams, and negotiates with stakeholders and consultants to shape urban places
- Creates or contributes to policy, standards and guidelines that affect the built environment
- Advises state and local governments about the potential impacts of development proposals on regions, cities or places
Ways in
- University: Creative Arts & Design degrees, Offered by 38 universities in Australia
- TAFE and VET: Certificate IV in Landscape Design (AHC42421); Diploma of Landscape Design (AHC50621)
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $120,016 a year
- About 30,900 people work in this job group now, and about 36,900 are projected by 2035. (+19.2%)
- 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 an Urban Designer?
Ways in include: Creative Arts & Design degrees; Certificate IV in Landscape Design; Diploma of Landscape Design.
How much does an Urban Designer earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $120,016 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is an Urban Designer a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 19% by 2035, from about 30,900 to about 36,900 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become an Urban Designer?
Usually. 81% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of an Urban Designer?
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