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Guidance: Pursuing a Quantity Surveying Career in Australia
Hi everyone,
I’m a Quantity Surveyor with a Bachelor’s degree and 2 years pre-grad + 2 years post-grad experience in consultancy and contract administration. My goal is to move to Australia (Brisbane is preferred, but I’m open to elsewhere).
So far, I’ve reached out to several firms about sponsorship, but they’ve all said to “get in touch once you have a visa”. I haven’t had any actual offers made pending that though.
At this point, I’m considering my options:
Working Holiday Visa (WHV): Could I use it to get in, prove myself, and then ask for sponsorship? I’m worried about the six-month employer limit.
Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage): Is it realistic to secure this if no one’s offering upfront? Do firms normally sponsor QS’s from overseas?
Subclass 189 or 491 (Skilled Independent / Regional): These seem appealing since no sponsorship is needed—how easy is it for a Quantity Surveyor?
I’d also love to hear from anyone who’s:
- Managed to land a QS role on a WHV?
- Successfully got a 482, 189, or 491 as a QS—what was that pathway like?
Finally:
Do I have to do a skills assessment from AIQS? How long/hard is that?
Any advice or personal experience would be super helpful!
Thanks a lot,Nela Farkasova
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1 Reply
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Thanks Nela! I’ve quickly reformatted your post to make sure everything displays properly on the forum.
Sometimes if you paste content from another platform (like Word or email), the formatting can break-so for future posts, it’s best to paste as plain text where possible.
Now, let’s get into your questions!
You’re in a great position as a Quantity Surveyor—this is an occupation in demand across several Australian skilled occupation lists. Here’s a breakdown of your options:
1. Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) Visa: Yes, it is possible to get sponsorship as a Quantity Surveyor (ANZSCO 233213). The role is on the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List), meaning it’s eligible for both short and long-term employer-sponsored visas. However, many Australian employers prefer candidates who are already in the country or have work rights. This is likely why you’ve been told to “get in touch once you have a visa.”
That said, many employers do sponsor Quantity Surveyors. Try these job boards:
https://482jobs.com – This is our own site, and every job listed here offers Australia Visa sponsorship. You can search Quantity Surveyor roles here: https://482jobs.com/job-category/construction/
https://seek.com.au – Use keywords like “visa sponsorship” or “482 visa”
https://indeed.com.au – Same tip: use relevant keywords to filter for sponsored roles
2. Working Holiday Visa (WHV): This can be a good foot in the door. Many people have used it to secure a job and then transition to a sponsored role. But you’re right; you can only work for the same employer for up to 6 months, which limits longer-term opportunities unless you’re offered sponsorship during that time.
3. Subclass 189 or 491 Visas: Quantity Surveyor is on the MLTSSL, so you’re eligible to apply for:
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent visa) – No sponsorship needed
- Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional – Provisional) – Nomination from a regional state or family in regional area
Both require a positive skills assessment from AIQS (Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors).
You also need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and meet the current points threshold (which can vary).
Skills Assessment with AIQS: Yes, it’s mandatory for 189/491 and for 482 if the Department requests it. The AIQS assessment typically checks:
- That your degree is equivalent to an Australian qualification
- Your work experience aligns with the ANZSCO description
- English proficiency (if applicable)
It usually takes 8–12 weeks. Details here: https://www.aiqs.com.au
I hope this gives you a clearer idea. Let me know if you have any further questions about the above any anything else.
Best of luck with your journey to Australia!
Regards
Mark
482jobs.com
482 Jobs - Jobs In Australia Offering 482 Visa Sponsorship - 482 Jobs Australia
482 Jobs - Jobs In Australia Offering 482 Visa Sponsorship - 482 Jobs Australia
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