Where to Study Surveying & Spatial Science – NSW & ACT

It’s university open day season, so now is the time to find out what your surveying study options are. Below you will find a table outlining all the university and TAFE surveying paths in NSW. To the right, you can also find registration links for University of NSW and the University of Newcastles’ upcoming online open day events.

To get a sense of how studying surveying might work for you, check out the video below from UNSW, in which Senior Lecturer Craig Roberts outlines the benefits of surveying study.

Institution	Course name	Guide ATAR score	Prerequisites	Course length	Contact information
University of New South Wales	Bachelor of Surveying (Honours)	93 (alternative entry options available)	Maths Ext 1 and Physics preferred. Bridging courses available. TAFE diploma graduates should discuss their articulation options with surveying lecturers at UNSW.	Four years full-time	Course info Tel (02) 9385 1844
	Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Civil Engineering / Bachelor of Surveying	93	Maths Ext 1 (three unit) and Physics.	Five years full-time
University of Newcastle	Bachelor of Surveying (Honours)	85	HSC Maths (Band 5) or Maths Extension 1 or equivalent. Bridging courses available. Study of one science-related subject would be an advantage (Physics preferred), but not essential. TAFE surveying diploma students receive 25% exemption for prior learning.	Four years full-time	Course info Tel (02) 4921 6058
	Bachelor of Civil Engineering (Honours)/ Bachelor of Surveying (Honours)	84.75	HSC Maths (Band 5) or Maths Extension 1 or equivalent. Study of one science-related subject would be an advantage (Physics or Chemistry preferred). TAFE surveying diploma students receive up to 20% exemption for prior learning.	Five years full-time
	Bachelor of Surveying (Honours)/ Bachelor of Business	85	HSC Maths (Band 5) or Maths Extension 1 or equivalent. Study of one science-related subject would be an advantage (Physics or Chemistry preferred).	Five years full-time
TAFE NSW Newcastle Campus	Certificate III Surveying and Spatial Information Services	N/A	N/A	Six months full-time	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 4923 7988
	Certificate IV  Surveying	N/A	Certificate III Surveying and Spatial Information Services	Six months full-time	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 4923 7988
	Diploma of Surveying	N/A	Certificate IV Surveying and Spatial Information Services	Twelve months full-time	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 4923 7988
TAFE NSW Ultimo Campus	Certificate III Surveying and Spatial Information Services	N/A	N/A, under 18 years need to provide Year 10 school transcript	Six months full-time, 12 months part-time. Full time and part time options for face to face classroom delivery.	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 9217 5161
	Certificate IV  Surveying	N/A	Prerequisites Certificate III Surveying or equivalent	Six months full-time, 12 months part-time. Full time and part time options for face to face classroom delivery.	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 9217 5161
	Certificate IV Spatial Information Services	N/A	Prerequisites Certificate III Surveying or equivalent	Six months full-time	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 9217 5161
	Diploma of Surveying	N/A	Certificate IV Surveying or equivalent	Twelve months full-time, two years part-time. Full time and part time options for face to face classroom delivery.	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 9217 5161
	Diploma of Spatial Information Services	N/A	Certificate IV Spatial Information Services	Twelve months full-time	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 9217 5161
TAFE NSW Wollongong Campus	Certificate III Surveying & Spatial Information Services	N/A	N/A	Full time – 6 months Semester 1. Part time (12 months) & Blended delivery (12-18months) on demand of numbers	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 4229 0113
	Certificate IV Surveying	N/A	On completion of Certificate III Surveying & Spatial Information Services	Full time – 6 months Semester 2. Blended delivery (12-18months) & Part time (12 months beginning 2020)	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 4229 0113
	Diploma of Surveying	N/A	On completion of Certificate IV Surveying	Full time – 12 months. Blended delivery (12-18months) & Part Time (12 months beginning 2021)	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 4229 0113
TAFE NSW National Environment Centre	Certificate III Surveying and Spatial Information Services	N/A	N/A	One year part-time (online and face-to-face delivery)	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 6043 6700
	Certificate IV Surveying	N/A	Students must be working in industry, and have completed the Certificate III Surveying and Spatial Information Services or have suitable professional experience (to be assessed)	Two years part-time (online and face-to-face delivery)	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 6043 6700
	Certificate IV Spatial Information Services	N/A	Basic Spatial Information knowledge	Two years part-time (online and face-to-face delivery, with an optional week-long spatial camp at Albury, NSW)	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 6043 6700
	Diploma of Surveying	N/A	Students must be working in industry, and have completed the Certificate IV Surveying	Two years part-time (online and face-to-face delivery)	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 6043 6700
	Diploma of Spatial Information Services	N/A	Strong Spatial Information knowledge	Two years part-time (online and face-to-face delivery, with an optional week-long spatial camp at Albury, NSW)	Course info Brochure Tel (02) 6043 6700

Note: some of the above courses are a mix of face-to-face and online delivery. For a list of online courses please go to our Distance Education page here.

BECOMING A REGISTERED SURVEYOR IN NSW

(TWO TO THREE YEARS PART-TIME)

Registered Land Surveyors

Graduate surveyors can progress further in their career to become registered surveyors with the Board of Surveying and Spatial Information of NSW (BOSSI). Registered land surveyors in NSW are experts in land or cadastral surveying and legally qualified to perform senior functions including the sign off of land title documents.

The pathway to becoming a registered land surveyor in NSW requires a Certificate of Competency. To gain a Certificate of Competency, a candidate needs to have two years of practical surveying experience, and either produce five projects that are examined, or enter into a Professional Training Agreement with an employer.

Candidates that choose the project examination pathway are provided with mentoring workshops and other support by professional associations to assist them through the registration process. The mentors and examiners are chosen by the associations and are leaders in the profession.

Professional Training Agreements (PTAs) are another method of registration, with an agreement established between BOSSI, the candidate and their employer who becomes the supervising surveyor.

PTAs are structured so all training is structured to be completed within a maximum two year period, where the candidate is required to gain practicable experience and undertake various projects. Throughout the PTA, the candidate will be required to attend six monthly interviews with BOSSI till their final interview which will be in the form of an examination with a panel of BOSSI board members.

Registered Mining Surveyors

Registered mining surveyors in NSW require a three-year degree followed by three years’ practical experience. To obtain registration the mining surveyor will also be required to provide three projects for examination, one written legislative exam and a final interview. Registered mining surveyors in NSW are experts in mining surveying and may be appointed as a nominated surveyor for a mine to ensure all works are accurately mapped and documented. These works may include above and underground works.