Geotechnical Engineer

A geotechnical engineer investigates and analyses soil and rock properties to support the design and construction of foundations, earthworks, and underground structures on Australian construction projects. They conduct site investigations, laboratory testing, and numerical modelling to assess ground behaviour and produce engineering reports that inform safe and economical design decisions for buildings, dams, tunnels, and transport infrastructure.

Design and oversee site investigation programmes including borehole drilling, cone penetration testing (CPT), and in-situ testing to characterise soil and rock profiles. Collect, classify, and test soil and rock samples in the laboratory using Australian Standard methods (AS 1289 series) to determine engineering properties such as bearing capacity, shear strength, and compressibility. Perform stability analyses and slope design calculations using limit equilibrium methods and finite element modelling software to assess landslide risk and design retaining structures. Develop foundation designs including shallow foundations, deep piles, and anchoring systems appropriate to site geology and building loads, with reference to AS 3600 and relevant building codes. Model ground behaviour using geotechnical software (PLAXIS, FLAC, or equivalent) to simulate consolidation settlement, liquefaction potential, and seismic response. Assess contaminated land and geoenvironmental risks by reviewing soil chemistry, groundwater conditions, and regulatory requirements under relevant state environmental protection legislation. Prepare detailed geotechnical reports documenting site conditions, test results, interpretations, and recommendations for clients, architects, and contractors. Advise on earthworks construction methods, quality control, and sequencing for embankments, cut slopes, and compacted fill with reference to relevant Australian Standards.

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 in engineering or geology, and you may also need professional registration (such as CPEng or a state engineer registration), which takes time and money. The real grind is site investigation work: lots of time in muddy holes supervising drilling rigs in remote locations, bad weather, and tight schedules. Lab testing is repetitive. Pay is solid but not spectacular compared to other engineering disciplines. Automation is starting to reduce manual testing demand.

Most work is office-based report writing, but you'll travel regularly to sites across regional Australia. Remote work is rare due to site investigation requirements. Work follows construction cycles and mining activity.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2332, 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
• Civil engineeringcore
• Data Entry and Accuracycore
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiencycore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Process Documentationcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Adjust engineering designs
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Goal Setting and Planning
• Incident Reporting
• Microsoft Excel Data Management
• Negotiation
• Process Improvement Identification
• Quality Assurance and Checking
• Record Management

• 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.

Last updated: 30 October 2026