Role Snapshot

ANZSCO Code: 233213 — Quantity Surveyor
Role Variants: Cost Manager, Cost Planner, Estimator, Commercial Manager, Contracts Administrator, Development Cost Consultant, Project Economist
Parent Category: AU Engineering & Construction Roles
Skill Level: 1
Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL): Yes — eligible for TSS 482 visa with an employer sponsor
Skills Assessment Body: Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)

🇳🇿Also available for New ZealandQuantity Surveyor Roles in New ZealandNZIQS · Green List→

Quantity surveyors are central to Australia’s construction and infrastructure delivery machine. With a project pipeline spanning Olympics infrastructure, major transport projects, commercial high-rise, residential housing, and resources, the demand for experienced QS professionals at every level is sustained and broad. The Australian market values commercial acumen, contract knowledge (D&C, ECI, lump sum, alliance), and the ability to manage cost risk across large and complex programmes. Senior QS professionals in Australia operate as commercial leads, not just cost estimators — candidates who can demonstrate this profile will differentiate themselves.

• Pre-contract cost planning, feasibility estimates, and procurement advice
• Tender preparation, evaluation, and contract negotiation
• Post-contract cost management, progress claims, and variation assessment
• Final account settlement and project close-out
• Value engineering and risk quantification across project lifecycle
• Client-side cost management and owner’s representative cost advisory

Typical employers: Turner & Townsend, Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), AECOM, Arcadis, Linesight, Gleeds (specialist QS and cost management consultancies); head contractors (Lendlease, Multiplex, John Holland, CPB Contractors) for in-house commercial management roles; property developers (Mirvac, Stockland, Charter Hall) for development cost management.

Salary Benchmark

Typical Range: $80,000 – $180,000+ AUD per year, depending on experience, firm type, and whether the role is consultancy-side or contractor/client-side.

• Graduate / early career (0–3 years): $75,000–$92,000
• Mid-career QS (4–9 years): $100,000–$140,000
• Senior QS / Cost Manager: $145,000–$175,000+
• Commercial Manager / Director (programme-level): $180,000+

Source: SEEK AU — Quantity Surveyor Salary | Hays Salary Guide AU 2026 | Data reviewed May 2026

Contractor vs consultancy: Head contractor commercial roles (contracts manager, commercial manager) typically pay more than consultancy QS roles at the same experience level, but consultancy roles offer broader exposure and faster pathway to AIQS and RICS membership. Know which track suits you and position accordingly.

Cost of living: For an independent comparison, see Numbeo — Australia. TEFI provides clients with a detailed financial planning workbook to model living costs by city and lifestyle — ask Tate for a copy.

Where Demand Is Strongest

• Sydney (NSW) — Australia’s largest QS market. Commercial development, residential high-rise, Sydney Metro, and WestConnex all active. Major consultancy firms (Turner & Townsend, RLB, Arcadis) have their largest AU office in Sydney. Contractor commercial roles also plentiful.
• Melbourne (VIC) — Suburban Rail Loop ($35B+), North East Link, and significant commercial and residential construction generating consistent QS demand. Several large construction programmes running simultaneously through 2030+.
• Brisbane / South East QLD — Olympics 2032 programme is driving infrastructure cost management demand. Cross River Rail, Pacific Motorway upgrades, and the SEQ residential pipeline all adding to the workload. Growing consultancy presence in Brisbane CBD.
• Perth (WA) — Resources sector projects (port expansions, mineral processing) and Perth residential construction. Smaller market but experienced QS professionals can move faster in less competitive conditions. Resources projects can offer contract premiums.
• National (major programmes): Large infrastructure programmes (Olympic Coordinating Authority, major rail alliances) hire QS and commercial managers at programme level, with roles spread across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane simultaneously.

Licensing & Professional Registration

Mandatory licence: No government licence is required to use the title “Quantity Surveyor” in Australia. However, AIQS skills assessment is required for skilled migration visas, and AIQS membership is expected at senior and principal levels.

AIQS (Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors):

• AIQS is the designated skills assessing body for ANZSCO 233213 and the primary professional body for QS in Australia. MAIQS membership and the Certified Quantity Surveyor (CQS) designation are the standard professional credentials. Allow 3–6 months for the assessment and submit before your visa application.
• AIQS membership is actively used by employers as a proxy for technical competence — being a member (or “in progress”) signals AU market commitment.

RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors):

• MRICS is highly valued in Australia, particularly for client-side, development management, and major programme commercial roles. RICS membership is well recognised by multinational consultancies (Turner & Townsend, AECOM, Arcadis) and large property developers. It complements AIQS rather than replacing it.

Immigration Pathway

Skills assessment required: Yes — AIQS for ANZSCO 233213.

Visa options:

• Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa — Subclass 482 (Medium-Term Stream) — Employer sponsor required. Duration: up to 4 years. The most common pathway for experienced QS professionals hired directly by AU consultancies or contractors.
  Home Affairs — TSS Visa 482
• Skilled Independent Visa — Subclass 189 — Points-based, no sponsor required. Permanent residence directly. Requires AIQS assessment and EOI via SkillSelect.
  Home Affairs — Skilled Independent 189
• Skilled Nominated Visa — Subclass 190 — State nomination, points-based, permanent residence.
  Home Affairs — Skilled Nominated 190
• Skilled Work Regional Visa — Subclass 491 — Regional Australia, 5-year temporary visa with PR pathway.
  Home Affairs — Skilled Work Regional 491

Important: TEFI does not provide immigration advice. We recommend working with a registered Australian migration agent. We refer clients to New Zealand Shores — contact Fabien Maisonneuve at Fabien@newzealandshores.com and mention Tate sent you.

Migrant Readiness Signals

• AIQS assessment submitted: Start this before your job search. Employers at consultancies and major contractors know the AIQS timeline — being “in progress” is a credible position; not having started raises questions about market readiness
• Contract type fluency: Australian construction uses D&C (Design and Construct), ECI (Early Contractor Involvement), lump sum, and alliance contract models. Know how to describe your experience in these terms, even if you worked under different models at home — the ability to bridge is what matters
• Project values on CV: Australian QS employers screen CVs by project scale and contract value, just as construction PM employers do. List every project with contract value (AUD equivalent), procurement model, and your specific cost management scope
• NCC awareness (National Construction Code): AU construction is governed by the NCC. You do not need to know it deeply, but awareness of it signals you have done your research and understand the AU regulatory environment
• RICS membership status: If you hold MRICS, lead with it on your AU CV — it is well recognised and carries weight with consultancies and developer clients. If you hold an equivalent national designation, name it and explain it briefly
• References from clients or project directors: Senior QS roles in Australia require references who can speak to your cost management outcomes, client relationships, and commercial problem-solving — not just technical accuracy

Where to Find Roles

• SEEK AU — search: “Quantity Surveyor”, “Cost Manager”, or “Commercial Manager” by state; filter by salary range to calibrate the seniority level before applying
• LinkedIn — follow Turner & Townsend, RLB, Arcadis, Linesight, AECOM; connect with cost managers and commercial directors directly — many senior roles at consultancies are filled before they are publicly advertised
• Hays Australia and Michael Page — specialist QS and commercial management recruiters with consultancy and contractor pipelines across all major cities
• AIQS — member networking events and job board; actively connecting QS professionals with AU employers before and after arrival

Direct to employer: Turner & Townsend, RLB, and Linesight all run active graduate and experienced hire pipelines. AECOM and Arcadis have dedicated cost management practices. Major head contractors (Lendlease, Multiplex, John Holland) run their own commercial and QS teams and are worth approaching directly if you have contractor-side experience at relevant project scale.

A note on cold applications: In Australian QS, consultancy roles are often filled through recruiter networks and referrals from within the profession. If you are not sure how your QS background will read to an Australian employer, upload your CV for no-cost, practical feedback — Tate typically responds within one business day.