Surveyors can take on many different tasks and roles during their careers, depending on their qualifications and level of experience.
Surveying students at TAFE and university are able to get a taste of what surveying is really like by starting out as a survey assistant during their study. TAFE students can then move into a surveying technician or draftsperson role once they are qualified. Meanwhile, those in university complete their degree as a graduate surveyor, with some choosing to specialise in other related fields like geospatial information systems.
Graduate surveyors can further their career opportunities and remuneration by undertaking a professional training agreement to become a licensed surveyor.
Typical salary: Starts from $90,000 + vehicle
Study: Undergraduate degree + postgraduate degree + professional training agreement
A licensed or registered surveyor is the only person who is legally authorised to perform land or cadastral surveying and sign-off on projects.
They perform the following tasks:
Read about Tom’s journey to become a newly licensed surveyor, and Joe’s unique experience surveying the outback.
Find out more about what registered and licensed surveyors do here.
Typical salary: Start from $55,000 (plus use of a vehicle within six months)
Study: Undergraduate or postgraduate degree
Surveyors perform the following tasks:
Surveyors work in many related fields such as cartography, geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing surveying or as project managers. Find out why Elaine decided to become a surveyor.
Typical salary: $64,000 with five years experience (technician may also have use of vehicle)
Study: TAFE or VET diploma
Surveying technicians collect, analyse data and develop plans for land Surveyors to provide the basic information required for a surveying project.
They may do the following:
Surveying technicians are involved in various projects such as survey drafting, photogrammetry, mining, land development, engineering and construction surveying.
Typical salary: $42,000
Study: TAFE or VET Certificate III (traineeship)
Survey assistants help surveyors undertake surveying projects.
They may do the following tasks:
Find out more about Lucas’ journey to become a survey assistant in this video.
Spatial information professionals specialise in the collection and analysis of location specific data about populations, land use and more.
They perform the following tasks:
GIS analysts analyse and provide technical support to help environmental management, exploration & mining, land ownership titles and urban & regional planning.
They perform the following tasks:
GIS professionals develop and customise geographic information systems (GIS).
They can do the following:
Watch this video to find out more about studying geospatial science or visit www.geospatialscience.com.au.
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