Engineering Surveyor

Geospatial information professionals and surveyors not elsewhere classified collect, analyse, and interpret spatial data using surveying instruments, satellite imagery, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to create maps, assess land boundaries, and support infrastructure planning and environmental management. They work across government, planning, utilities, and private surveying firms, producing accurate geospatial datasets that inform policy, development approvals, and resource management decisions.

Operate surveying instruments including total stations, GPS receivers, and digital levels to measure distances, angles, and elevations on site. Conduct boundary surveys and establish property corners using cadastral principles and registered survey marks maintained by state land authorities. Collect geospatial data using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and airborne or satellite remote sensing platforms. Process and georeference raw survey and imagery data using specialised GIS and surveying software to create spatial datasets. Produce and update digital maps, cadastral records, and orthophotographs for land administration and planning purposes. Analyse spatial relationships and patterns using GIS tools to support environmental impact assessments, land suitability analysis, and resource mapping. Prepare technical survey reports and spatial data packages for clients including measurement accuracy assessments and metadata documentation. Comply with Australian Standards (AS 4311 for survey accuracy and AS/NZS ISO 19115 for geospatial metadata) and state surveying legislation.

The standard entry pathway requires a bachelor degree or higher (ABS Skill Level 1). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

You'll need a bachelor degree to start, which is a big commitment as a career changer. The work involves lots of field time in all weather conditions, often in remote areas. You're also competing with automation: drone surveys and satellite imagery are getting cheaper and faster, which could cap your earning potential or reduce available roles over time.

Private surveying firms cluster near CBD areas. Regional work exists but is sporadic and often requires travel. Remote work is not common for this role.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2322, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Attention to Detailcore
• Cartographycore
• Data Entry and Accuracycore
• Digital Literacycore
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiencycore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Quality Assurance and Checkingcore
• Record Managementcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Apply digital mapping
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Electronic Document Management
• Incident Reporting
• Microsoft Excel Data Management
• Negotiation
• Process Documentation
• Reporting and Analytics
• Team Collaboration
• Verbal Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

What Engineering Surveyor workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 30 October 2026