Urban and Regional Planner

Urban and Regional Planners develop strategic land-use policies, zoning frameworks, and infrastructure plans for Australian local and state governments. They analyse demographic and economic data, consult with communities and stakeholders, and prepare planning documents that guide residential, commercial, and industrial development while ensuring compliance with relevant planning legislation and sustainability objectives.

Analyse demographic, economic, and environmental data using GIS software and spatial analysis tools to inform land-use strategies. Prepare master plans and strategic planning documents that align with local government planning schemes and state planning policies. Review development applications against planning codes, zoning overlays, and building regulations set by relevant planning authorities. Conduct community engagement sessions and stakeholder consultations to inform planning decisions and gather feedback on proposed developments. Prepare planning reports and recommendations for council committees and planning panels that justify zoning decisions and land-use allocations. Liaise with state planning agencies, heritage authorities, and environmental bodies to ensure compliance with legislation such as planning and heritage acts. Develop precinct plans and structure plans for new urban areas, specifying residential density, commercial uses, transport networks, and open space. Model infrastructure requirements (transport, water, utilities) to support projected population growth and land-use changes.

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 spend years waiting for decisions you recommend to actually happen, and dealing with angry residents who hate your zoning changes.

Nearly all positions are in capital cities and large regional centres where councils have dedicated planning teams. Work is entirely office and council-based: no remote work. Practically speaking, if you're not in a major metro area or a growing regional city, there's almost no employment.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2326, 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
• Community Developmentcore
• Goal Setting and Planningcore
• Negotiationcore
• Policy Interpretationcore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Active Listening
• Conflict Resolution
• Correspondence Drafting
• Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
• Digital Literacy
• Group Facilitation
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
• Process Documentation
• Record Management
• Time Management and Prioritisation

• 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 Urban and Regional Planner workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 30 October 2026