Studying Urban Development is one of the pathways to working in the most popular industry in Australia. For example, you will be able to work as a quantity surveyor, construction project manager, or landscape architect. With the growth in the construction industry, there are many job opportunities in this field. According to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee, the construction industry generates over $360 billion in revenue and can produce approximately 9% of the gross domestic product in Australia. In the next five years, it is also estimated that the industry will have a projected annual growth rate of around 2.4%.

As shown on PayScale, a quantity surveyor can earn an average salary of AU$73,763 per year. Starting in an entry-level position, a new graduate or a person who has just started developing their career in this industry is estimated to be able to earn around AU$56,000. A more experienced quantity surveyor could receive an average salary of AU$110,000 per year. Additionally, there are also thousands of jobs offered in this field on the recruiting website, Seek, demonstrating the demand in the industry and the potential of this career pathway.

A career in Urban Development can lead to promotions such as to a construction project manager position. The average salary for a construction project manager in Australia is AU$102,098, according to PayScale. There are also more than 10,000 job openings available on Seek that bring great opportunities to people interested in working in the field of construction.

1. Very little to zero background education/experience required

If you are a high school graduate, you can either start with a Diploma (domestic/overseas) course, or undertake the foundation program offered by some universities to apply for the Bachelor of Urban Development course. For some international students, you can use your final high school examination results from overseas to get into the Bachelor’s program. Therefore, for most students, it is not difficult to meet the entry requirements when applying for entry into a Bachelor’s degree.  

If you already have a Bachelor’s degree and would like to develop your career in the construction industry, you should consider doing a Master of Urban Development and Design course. You do not need a background in Architectural Design but you will need relevant educational background and/or work experience.  

Don’t have work experience in the relevant fields and can’t meet the academic performance requirement? Don’t worry. Students can undertake the Graduate Certificate in Urban Development and Design as an alternative.  

2. Multiple Start Dates

There are usually 2-3 intakes offered by Australian universities every year regardless of which university you wish to apply to. This will give applicants more flexibility when preparing the required documentation. Especially for students who don’t feel ready, the flexible intake will help ease the time pressure during the application preparation process.  

3. Post-Study Work Visa 

One of the most important advantages of completing two or more years of studying Urban Development in higher education is that students will be eligible for a 2-5-year Post-study Work Visa. Graduates can make use of this opportunity to gain overseas work experience as visa holders have full working rights.

• Estimator 
• Construction Project Manager 
• Quantity Surveyor 
• Urban Designer 
• Community Engagement Consultant 
• Landscape Architect 
• Urban Strategist 
• Design Advisor 

• Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Quantity Surveying and Cost Engineering) 
• Bachelor of Urban Development (Honours) (Construction Management) 
• Graduate Certificate in Urban Development and Design 
• Master of Urban Development and Design