Civil Engineer

Roles and responsibilities

To qualify as a civil engineer:

Step 1
Complete any undergraduate bachelor’s course {Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Science or the Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)} with a major in Engineering Science as your first degree.

Step 2
Complete the postgraduate Master of Professional Engineering to qualify as a civil engineer.

Refer to the Study Pathways to the right for more information.

As a Civil Engineer, you could be employed by government departments and agencies, municipal authorities, civil engineering contractors, consulting engineers and mining companies.

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.

Civil Engineers:

• investigate sites to work out the most suitable foundation for a proposed construction
• research and advise on the best engineering solution to meet with a client's needs and budget
• 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
• talk to other engineers, architects, landscape architects and environmental scientists
• assist government bodies in preparing yearly works programs within set budgets (such as for works on car parks, drainage, roads, aerodromes or sewerage)
• prepare engineering calculations required for the design of projects and supervise the drafting of plans
• 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 wind, earthquake, fire and floods, and design structures and services to meet appropriate standards
• arrange for geological and geophysical investigations and carry out feasibility studies.

Sources: myFuture and Australian Bureau of Statistics