Surveyors plan, direct and conduct survey work to determine, delineate, plan, and precisely position tracts of land, natural and constructed features, coastlines, marine floors and underground works, and manages related information systems. Registration or licensing may be required.

Skill Level

1

Specialisations

• Cadastral Surveyor
• Engineering Surveyor
• Geodetic Surveyor
• Hydrographic Surveyor
• Mine Surveyor
• Photogrammetric Surveyor

Unless you are exempt in very limited circumstances, you are required to have a positive Skills Assessment to apply for the visas listed above.

Skills Assessment authority for Surveyor is Surveying & Spatial Sciences Institute (SSSI). To have a positive skills assessment, you must meet the following criteria:

• It should be noted that depending on your qualifications the skills assessment conducted by SSSI will vary.
  • If you have studied in Australia:
    • You must have completed an approved surveying course of at least 4 years full time study at an Australian university
  • If you have studied overseas:
    • You must have completed an equivalent qualification to studying surveying of at least 4 years full time at an Australian university
  • If you hold hydrography related qualifications and skills:
    • The qualifications are assessed by the Australasian Hydrographic Surveyors Certification Panel
  • A competent English level i.e. IELTS 6.0 or comparable
  • SSSI will assess the following:
    • Professional experience
    • Any contributions made to the surveying profession
    • Continuing Professional Experience undertaken in the last two years
    • Evidence of licenses or registration held in surveying or professional society membership
    • Two professional written references

Did you know?

When the SSSI undertakes the skills assessment, it takes into consideration your contributions to the profession and continuing professional development. It is important to include this information in your application. Some examples include:

• Recipient of professional awards
• Guest lecturing
• Volunteer work
• Membership of professional societies
• Attending conferences and seminars
• Undertaking further education

Plan, direct and conduct survey work to determine and delineate boundaries and features of tracts of land, marine floors and underground works, prepare and revise maps, charts and other geographic products, and analyse, present and maintain geographical information about locations in space and time.

Tasks

• Determining the position of points of interest on the earth’s surface including marine floors, and preparing the final product data in digital form
• Supervising the preparation of plans, maps, charts and drawings to give pictorial representations and managing spatial information systems
• Undertaking research and development of surveying and photogrammetric measurement systems, cadastral systems and land information systems
• Planning and designing land subdivision projects and negotiating details with local governments and other authorities
• Advising Architects, Engineering Professionals, environmental and other scientists or other relevant professionals on the technical requirements of surveying, mapping and spatial information systems
• Compiling and evaluating data, interpreting codes of practice, and writing reports concerning survey measurement, land use and tenure
• Preparing site plans and survey reports required for conveyancing and land ownership matters
• Evaluating, compiling and maintaining spatial information using a range of digital and graphical source materials, including aerial photographs, satellite imagery, survey documents, existing maps and records, historical data, reports and statistics
• Analysing and interpreting data to design maps, graphs, plans, drawings and three-dimensional models using geographic information and related systems
• Developing and trialling new applications for use in geographic information systems
• Supervising and coordinating the work of Surveying or Spatial Science Technicians in the production and reproduction of geographic products

Skill Level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Registration or licensing may be required.

Occupations in this Group

• 232212 Surveyor
• 232213 Cartographer
• 232214 Other Spatial Scientist