Topic:

Introduction

Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways.

Civil engineers are responsible for the basic needs and facilities (or infrastructure) of a modern society, and play a vital role in it. Their jobs can range from planning to designing, and to construction, operation and maintenance, involving new and existing infrastructure.

Why study Civil Engineering in Australia?

  1. High quality education from high-ranking universities

According to QS Ranking by Subjects in 2021, Australia has six universities in the top 50 in the world for a degree in Civil and Structural Engineering—the University of New South Wales (12th), the University of Sydney (14th), Monash University (23rd), the University of Melbourne (28th), and the University of Queensland (30th). Added to this, Australia has a further eight universities in the top 51-100. Therefore, a degree in Civil Engineering in Australia will be highly-regarded internationally.   

  1. Employment Potential after you Graduate

Australia is one of the biggest countries in the world in terms of size. With the ongoing plan from the government to develop regional areas, there is a high demand for employment in construction-related fields. It is expected that employment for Civil Engineering professionals will grow very strongly in the next 5 years—from 53,300 in 2018 to 60,500 by 2023. In addition, statistics from JobOutlook shows that median pay for full-time workers in this industry is AU$1,962 per week. Moreover, 91% of employees in the industry are full-timers, much higher than the average of 66%.  

  1. Post-study Work Visa

After completing at least 2 years of a higher education degree in Civil Engineering, you are eligible to apply for a 2-4-year Post-study Work Stream Visa (visa 485). Students can utilise this time to earn more work experience as well as to prepare for a migration pathway.

Career outcomes after graduation

  • Civil Engineer
  • Geotechnical Engineer 
  • Quantity Surveyor 
  • Structural Engineer 
  • Transport Engineer 

Course Options

  • Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology 
  • Associate Degree in Engineering  
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) (Honours) 
  • Master of Engineering 
  • PhD 

Entry Requirements

  • For the Advanced Diploma course, normally applicants are required to have completed Year 12 or equivalent and attained IELTS 5.5  
  • For an Associate Degree, normally applicants are required to have completed Year 12 or equivalent and attained IELTS 6 (with no band less than 5.5) 
  • For the Bachelor’s degree course, normally applicants are required to have completed Year 12 or equivalent and attained IELTS 6.5 (with no band less than 6) 
  • For the Master’s degree course, normally applicants are required to have completed a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent or received a Graduate Certificate in Civil Engineering and attained IELTS 6.5 (with no band less than 6) 

Professional Accreditation

Engineers Australia (EA) is the designated authority for assessing skills and competencies related to engineering occupations in Australia. There’s a list of engineering programs in Australia which were accredited by EA to satisfy the skill assessment under the Australian Qualification pathway. 

Expected salary as a Civil Engineer in Australia

On average, a civil engineer in Australia can earn around AU$110,000/year with a starting salary for entry-level graduates of up to AU$90,000/year. Most experienced workers have an annual income of up to AU$141,500.  

(Data from the website, Talent Australia) 

School Recommendations

Advanced Diploma  

  • TAFE QLD – Advanced Diploma of Engineering  
  • RMIT – Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology (Civil Engineering Design) 

Associate Degree 

  • TAFE QLD – Associate Degree Civil Engineering  
  • RMIT – Associate Degree in Engineering Technology 
  • TAFE SA – Associate Degree in Civil and Structural Engineering (Design Drafting) 
  • TAFE SA – Associate Degree in Civil and Structural Engineering (Site Management) 

Bachelor (Honours) 

  • Federation University – Bachelor of Civil and Environmental Engineering 
  • Swinburne University of Technology – Bachelor of Engineering (Civil & Infrastructure) 
  • University of Queensland – Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) 
  • Queensland University of Technology – Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) 
  • RMIT – Bachelor of Engineering (Civil & Infrastructure) 
  • UNSW – Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering with Architecture 
  • University of Sydney – Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) 
  • Monash – Bachelor of Civil Engineering  

Master’s 

  • Flinders University – Bachelor of Engineering (Environment) (Honours)/Master of Engineering 
  • University of Melbourne – Master of Civil Engineering 
  • University of Adelaide – Master of Engineering (Civil and Environmental Engineering)  
  • Swinburne University of Technology – Master of Engineering (Civil)/ Master of Entrepreneurship and Innovation 
  • University of Newcastle – Master of Professional Engineering (Civil)

Interested in studying Civil Engineering in Australia?

Contact SOL Edu today for free counselling, and a free application process!