Australia's $237 billion public infrastructure pipeline - spanning motorways, rail corridors, renewable energy farms, and urban development - cannot be built without surveyors on the ground. Land Surveyor (ANZSCO 232212) and Cartographer (ANZSCO 232213) both sit on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), unlocking the full suite of skilled visa pathways to permanent residency. With industry estimates suggesting Australia needs an average of 1,500 additional surveyors and geospatial professionals each year, this is one of the strongest migration opportunities in the construction and infrastructure sector.
This guide explains how surveyors and cartographers from the UK, South Africa, India, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China can navigate skills assessment, state registration, and visa selection to build a permanent career in Australia.
Why Australia Needs Surveyors Now
Every road, railway, solar farm, subdivision, and mining lease in Australia requires surveying work before and during construction. The sheer scale of committed infrastructure investment is driving sustained demand that existing domestic graduates cannot fill.
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Infrastructure pipeline | $237B+ in major public projects over five years (roads, rail, renewables) |
| Annual shortfall | ~1,500 additional surveyors and geospatial professionals needed per year |
| Salary range | $80,000 - $140,000+ AUD depending on role, location, and registration |
| Key growth sectors | Renewable energy farms, road/rail corridors, mining, residential subdivision |
| Highest-paying locations | Perth ( |
Two ANZSCO codes are relevant. Land Surveyor (232212) covers cadastral (boundary) surveying, construction surveying, and geodetic work. Cartographer (232213) covers map production, GIS analysis, and spatial data visualisation. Confirm which code matches your actual duties before proceeding - the skills assessment authority and registration requirements differ.
Visa Pathways at a Glance
Both Land Surveyor and Cartographer sit on the MLTSSL, providing access to the full range of skilled visa pathways.
| Visa | Type | Key Feature | PR Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 189 Skilled Independent | Points-tested | No sponsor or state nomination needed | Immediate PR |
| 190 State Nominated | Points-tested | +5 points from state nomination | Immediate PR |
| 491 Skilled Work Regional | Points-tested | +15 points; live in regional area 3 years | PR via 191 |
| 482/SID Core Skills | Employer-sponsored | Employer nominates; CSIT salary threshold | PR via 186 TRT (2 years) |
| 186 Direct Entry | Employer-sponsored | Immediate PR; 3-year experience requirement | Immediate PR |
For surveyors already working in Australia on employer-sponsored visas, the Skills in Demand (SID) visa provides a streamlined pathway to permanent residency through the 186 Transition stream after two years with the same employer.
Skills Assessment: Two Different Authorities
This is where surveyor migration becomes uniquely complex. The assessing authority depends on which ANZSCO code you are nominated under.
Cartographer (ANZSCO 232213) - VETASSESS
VETASSESS is the designated assessing authority for Cartographers. This occupation is classified as VETASSESS Group A.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Bachelor degree or higher in a highly relevant field (Cartography, GIS, Surveying & Mapping, Geomatics, Remote Sensing, Spatial Information Science) |
| Employment | Minimum 1 year of highly relevant post-qualification employment in the last 5 years (20+ hours/week) |
| Assessment fee | $1,096 AUD (excluding GST, as of October 2025) |
| Priority processing | $825 AUD additional (10 business days) |
| Standard processing | ~7 weeks |
Land Surveyor (ANZSCO 232212) - ISNSW
The skills assessment landscape for Land Surveyors has recently undergone a significant transition. The Geospatial Council of Australia (GCA), the former assessing authority, went into liquidation in August 2025 and ceased accepting new applications. As of October 2025, the Institution of Surveyors New South Wales (ISNSW) has been approved as the new assessing authority.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Four-year surveying degree (or overseas equivalent assessed as comparable to an Australian Bachelor degree) |
| Experience | Professional surveying experience with evidence of continuing professional development |
| Other evidence | Licences/registration held, professional society membership, two professional references |
| English | Competent English (e.g., IELTS 6.0 each band) |
Transition period alert. ISNSW was approved in October 2025, but processing timelines may still be subject to the Department of Home Affairs formally listing ISNSW in a legislative instrument. If you are a Land Surveyor planning to apply, confirm the current status with a registered migration agent before preparing your application. Existing GCA assessment outcome letters remain valid for their validity period.
State Registration: The Extra Step That Catches Surveyors Off Guard
Unlike most migrating professionals, surveyors who want to practise cadastral (land boundary) surveying in Australia must also register with the relevant State or Territory Surveyors Board - in addition to obtaining a visa skills assessment. This registration is not required for the visa application itself, but it is required to practise as a licensed surveyor once you arrive.
Each state and territory has its own Board with its own requirements:
| State/Territory | Board | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | Board of Surveying and Spatial Information (BOSSI) | AMR applies; interstate surveyors must notify BOSSI |
| VIC | Surveyors Registration Board of Victoria | Letters of Accreditation required for interstate transfers |
| QLD | Surveyors Board of Queensland | Does NOT participate in AMR; mutual recognition only |
| WA | Land Surveyors Licensing Board | AMR applies; QLD/NZ surveyors must use traditional MR |
| SA | Surveyor-General of South Australia | AMR applies |
| TAS | Surveyors Board of Tasmania | Registration fee ~$382 (2025-26); QLD/NZ use traditional MR |
| NT | Surveyors Board of the Northern Territory | Mutual recognition available |
| ACT | ACT Planning and Land Authority | AMR applies with some exceptions |
Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) allows surveyors registered in one participating state to work temporarily in another without a new licence. However, Queensland does not participate in AMR. If you plan to work in QLD, you must apply through the traditional Mutual Recognition Act 1992 process. For permanent relocation to any state, substantive registration is generally required.
Points Test Strategy for Surveyors
For 189, 190, and 491 visas, you must score at least 65 points (including any nomination points). Recent SkillSelect rounds (August-November 2025) have shown minimum invitation points of 85 for Surveyor (232212) and 90 for Cartographer (232213) on the 189 pathway, indicating both occupations are highly competitive.
| Factor | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age (25-32) | 30 | Maximum age points |
| English (Superior - IELTS 8.0 each) | 20 | Significant boost |
| Overseas experience (8+ years) | 15 | Surveyors often have deep specialisation |
| Qualification (Bachelor's degree) | 15 | Standard surveying degree |
| Australian study (if applicable) | 5-10 | For those who studied in Australia |
| State nomination (190) | +5 | Or +15 for 491 |
Use our free GSM Points Calculator to estimate your score and identify where you can gain additional points.
Points thresholds and test scores are indicative. Invitation rounds vary by occupation and program year. Always verify current requirements with the Department of Home Affairs.
State Nomination: Where Surveyors Are Most Wanted
New South Wales
NSW is driving some of Australia's largest infrastructure projects (WestConnex, Sydney Metro, Western Sydney Airport). The state's demand for surveyors is particularly acute.
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Occupation list | Surveyor listed on NSW Skilled Occupation Lists |
| 190 requirements | NSW residence and employment; valid skills assessment |
| 491 requirements | Must live and work in regional NSW |
Western Australia
WA's mining sector and urban expansion around Perth create consistent demand for both cadastral and mining surveyors.
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nomination allocation | 3,400 places (2,000 × 190 + 1,400 × 491) for 2025-26 |
| WASMOL status | Surveyor listed |
| Priority sectors | Mining, resources, and infrastructure given priority |
Queensland
Despite not participating in AMR for registration, QLD actively recruits surveyors through its state nomination program.
| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| 190 onshore | Must live/work in QLD for 9 consecutive months before applying |
| 491 onshore | Must live/work in regional QLD for 6 consecutive months |
| Offshore applicants | 1 year of relevant employment; must be currently employed |
State nomination requirements and occupation lists are subject to change. Please confirm current availability before applying. Contact a registered migration agent for up-to-date advice.
Employer-Sponsored Pathways
For surveyors with a job offer from an Australian employer, the employer-sponsored visa pathway provides a direct route:
| Pathway | Minimum Salary | Skills Assessment | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SID Core Skills | $76,515 (CSIT) | Required | Early-to-mid career surveyors |
| SID Specialist Skills | $141,210 (SSIT) | Not required | Senior surveyors in mining/infrastructure earning above SSIT |
| 186 Direct Entry | $76,515 (CSIT) | Required | Senior surveyors wanting immediate PR |
Visa Application Fees
| Visa | Primary Applicant | Partner | Child (under 18) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 189 | $4,910 | $2,455 | $1,230 |
| 190 | $4,910 | $2,455 | $1,230 |
| 491 | $4,910 | $2,455 | $1,230 |
| 482/SID | $3,210 | $3,210 | $805 |
| 186 | $4,910 | $2,455 | $1,230 |
Fees shown are current as of July 2025 and are subject to annual indexation (typically 1 July each year). Verify the latest fees on the Department of Home Affairs fees page.
Typical Timeline: Offshore Surveyor to PR
| Step | Timeframe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. English test (IELTS/PTE) | 2-4 weeks | Book early; results valid 3 years for skills assessment |
| 2. Skills assessment (VETASSESS or ISNSW) | 7-12 weeks | Depends on authority and priority processing |
| 3. State registration research | Ongoing | Identify your target state's Board requirements early |
| 4. Submit EOI in SkillSelect | 1 day | Select 189 + preferred states |
| 5. Receive invitation | Variable | Depends on points score and round frequency |
| 6. Lodge visa application | 60 days from invitation | Health exams, police checks within this period |
| 7. Visa grant (189/190) | 6-12 months | Processing times vary |
How First Migration Can Help
Surveyor migration is uniquely complex - combining a skills assessment transition (from GCA to ISNSW), state-by-state registration requirements, and a competitive points environment. Getting the strategy right from the start can save months of delays.
At First Migration Service Centre, our registered migration agents specialise in skilled visa pathways and can help you:
- Determine your correct ANZSCO code - Land Surveyor (232212) vs Cartographer (232213) - and the matching assessment authority
- Navigate the ISNSW/VETASSESS assessment with documentation guidance tailored to your qualifications and experience
- Plan your state registration strategy - identify which state's Surveyors Board aligns with your visa and career goals
- Optimise your points score for 189/190/491 through English, experience, and qualification maximisation
- Coordinate employer sponsorship if you have a job offer from an Australian surveying or construction firm
Ready to take the next step? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment so we can understand your situation and provide tailored advice.
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