How to become a Civil Engineer

Civil engineers plan, design, construct, operate and maintain roads, bridges, dams, water supply schemes, sewerage systems, transportation systems, harbours, canals, dockyards, airports, railways, factories and large buildings.

Personal requirements for a Civil Engineer

Able to identify, analyse and solve problems
Good oral and written communication skills
Aptitude for computing and design
Practical and creative
Able to work without supervision
Able to work as part of a team
Able to accept responsibility
Willing to contribute and adhere to the safety requirements of the operation

Education & Training for a Civil Engineer

To become a civil engineer you usually have to complete a degree in engineering at university with a major in civil engineering. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, chemistry and physics are normally required. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Additional information

Students may be eligible to join Engineers Australia as student members. Upon graduation, after providing a certified copy of their degree, they may apply for graduate membership of the institution without further examination.

Duties & Tasks of a Civil Engineer

Civil engineers:

Investigate sites to determine the most suitable foundation for a proposed construction
Research and advise on the best engineering solution to meet a client's needs and budget
Prepare engineering calculations required for the design of projects, and supervise the drafting of plans
Produce detailed designs and documentation for the construction and implementation of civil engineering projects
Organise the delivery of materials, plant machinery and equipment needed for the construction project and supervise labour
Develop detailed programs for the coordination of site activities
Work with other engineers, architects, landscape architects and environmental scientists
Assist government bodies in preparing yearly works programs (such as work on car parks, drainage, roads, aerodromes or sewerage systems) within set budgets
Operate computers to assist with the design of civil engineering projects
Coordinate and direct research, development and testing of materials, processes or systems related to civil engineering works
Research, advise on and plan the control and minimisation of air, water and solid waste pollution, and the management of water resources
Supervise the testing and commissioning of completed works
Analyse and interpret reports on loading, labour, productivity, quality, materials and performance
Analyse risks associated with natural disasters (including cyclones, earthquakes, fires and floods), and design structures and services to meet appropriate standards
Arrange for geological and geophysical investigations and carry out feasibility studies.

Tasks

Monitors changes to designs, assesses effects on cost, and measures, values and negotiates variations to designs.
Designs structures to ensure they do not collapse, bend, twist or vibrate in undesirable ways.
Designs the physical aspects of transportation systems such as highways, railroads, urban transit, air transportation, logistical supply systems and their terminals.
Studies architectural and engineering drawings and specifications to estimate total costs, and prepare detailed cost plans and estimates as tools to assist in budgetary control.
Assesses present and future travel flow patterns taking into account population increases and needs changes.
Organises and directs site labour and the delivery of construction materials, plant and equipment, and establishes detailed programs for the co-ordination of site activities.
Analyses structural systems for both static and dynamic loads.
Determines construction methods, materials and quality standards, and drafts and interprets specifications, drawings, plans, construction methods and procedures.

Working conditions for a Civil Engineer

Civil engineers may work in offices or on site. They may be required to work long hours and meet strict deadlines while working under minimal supervision. Civil engineers deal with various professional, skilled and semi-skilled people. Consulting and contracting engineers often travel interstate, and some travel overseas. It may be necessary for some civil engineers to change residence every few years as their work takes them from one major engineering site to another.

Employment Opportunities for a Civil Engineer

Civil engineers work in a range of areas, including structural engineering, water resources, foundation engineering, transport, town planning and construction. They are employed by government departments and agencies, municipal authorities, civil engineering contractors, consulting engineers and mining companies. There may also be opportunities for self-employment as a contractor or consultant. Much of the work previously undertaken by government departments is contracted out to consulting engineers. A small proportion of engineers work in research activities and teach in industrial, government and university research establishments.

Specializations

Airport Engineer

An airport engineer specialises in preparing designs for airports, hangars and control towers.

Geotechnical/Soil Engineer

A geotechnical/soil engineer inspects proposed construction sites to determine soil and foundation conditions by conducting drilling and sampling programmes. Duties may include preparing specifications of soil mixtures for use in roads, embankments and other construction projects.

Harbour Engineer

A harbour engineer designs and supervises the construction of harbour facilities such as breakwaters, navigation aids, navigation channels, jetties, wharves, heavy-duty pavement surfaces, cargo sheds, and bulk handling plants for grain, ore and other cargo.

Highway Engineer

A highway engineer specialises in analysing population and growth statistics, traffic patterns and volume to project future requirements. Duties may include designing efficient and safe traffic systems, studying roadway and embankment design, reviewing the geometry of highway interchanges and maintaining facilities such as culverts and overpasses.

Hydraulic/Water Resources Engineer

A hydraulic/water resources engineer designs and supervises construction and advises on the operation, maintenance and repair of water resource facilities such as dams, aqueducts, hydro-electric plants, and water supply, drainage and sewerage systems.

Irrigation/Drainage Engineer

An irrigation/drainage engineer uses tests and measurements to analyse the characteristics of soil, such as salinity, water table level, areas of below-average plant growth, soil type and surface profile.

Local Government Engineer

A local government engineer administers and supervises the design, construction and maintenance of projects within a local government area, such as roads, drainage systems, pedestrian and cyclist facilities, bridges, buildings, recreation areas, parks, waste disposal systems and water treatment schemes.

Materials and Testing Engineer

A materials and testing engineer conducts research, development, testing and evaluation of the quality or suitability of materials and products such as asphalt, concrete, steel, cement, timber and plastics, taking into account factors such as stresses and strains, estimated load, water pressures, wind resistance and temperature fluctuations related to projects.

Pipeline Engineer

A pipeline engineer specialises in preparing design proposals for pipelines and pipeline equipment, facilities and structures in consultation with petroleum and mechanical engineers.

Railway Engineer

A railway engineer studies design proposals and advises on the construction, maintenance and repair of railway systems, including tracks, terminals and yards.

Structural Engineer

A structural engineer designs the frameworks of buildings, towers, bridges, water treatment facilities, tunnels and other structures to ensure strength and rigidity.

Civil Engineer

Airport Engineer

Highway Engineer

Railway Engineer

Water Resources Engineer

Average age
35 years
Future Growth
Strong
Gender Share
12% female
Average full-time
46 hours
Weekly Pay
$1,962
Skill level rating
Very high skill
Unemployment
Lower unemployment
Full-Time Share
91% Full-Time
Employment Size
21,300 workers
Employment by state
ACT: 1.4%
NSW: 33.7%
NT: 1.2%
QLD: 23.2%
SA: 4.6%
TAS: 1.4%
VIC: 23.2%
WA: 11.4%
Age brackets
15-19: 0.2%
20-24: 10%
25-34: 38.1%
35-44: 23.3%
45-54: 14.5%
55-59: 5.5%
60-64: 4.7%
65 and Over: 3.6%
Education level
Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 5.6%
Bachelor degree: 66.7%
Certificate III/IV: 2.3%
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 19.7%
Year 10 and below: 0.3%
Year 11: 0.2%
Year 12: 5.2%