Skilled Migration Pathway
Quantity Surveyor Skills Assessment Australia ANZSCO 233213 Complete Guide
Quantity Surveyors are in strong demand across Australia's booming construction sector. With major infrastructure projects, residential developments, and commercial builds driving sustained growth, skilled Quantity Surveyors from overseas have excellent opportunities to migrate and build a successful career in Australia.
This guide provides everything you need to know about the Quantity Surveyor skills assessment in Australia and the available visa pathways.
Quick Reference Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Quantity Surveyor |
| ANZSCO Code | 233213 |
| Skills Assessing Body | Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS) |
| Eligible Visa Subclasses | 189, 190, 491, 482, 186 |
| Occupation Lists | MLTSSL (189, 190, 491, 482, 186) |
| Minimum Points (189) | 65 points (competitive range: 80–100) |
| English Requirement | Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band) |
ANZSCO 233213
Who is a Quantity Surveyor?
A Quantity Surveyor (QS) is a construction cost specialist who manages the financial and contractual aspects of construction projects. Under ANZSCO 233213, a Quantity Surveyor's duties include:
- Preparing bills of quantities, cost plans, and feasibility estimates
- Conducting tendering, procurement, and contract administration
- Managing cash flows, variations, and final accounts on construction projects
- Providing cost advice during design, construction, and post-construction stages
- Preparing tax depreciation schedules for property investors
- Advising on contract disputes, claims, and arbitration
- Working across residential, commercial, civil, and infrastructure sectors
Quantity Surveyors are valued across both the private sector (builders, developers, consultancies) and the public sector (government departments, infrastructure agencies).
Skills Assessment
Skills Assessment: AIQS (Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors)
The designated skills assessing body for Quantity Surveyors (ANZSCO 233213) is the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS). AIQS is the peak professional body for quantity surveying and cost management in Australia.
Assessment Pathways
Pathway 1 – Academic Qualification + Experience
Hold a bachelor degree or higher in Quantity Surveying, Construction Economics, or a closely related field assessed as comparable to an Australian standard, and have relevant work experience in the occupation.
Pathway 2 – Experience-Based Assessment
For applicants whose qualifications are not in a closely related field but who have extensive experience as a Quantity Surveyor.
AIQS Membership Levels
AIQS offers membership categories that can be aligned with the skills assessment process:
- Student Member: For current students of accredited programs
- Graduate Member (GAIQS): For recent graduates of quantity surveying programs
- Associate Member (AIQS): For professionals with established industry experience
- Fellow (FAIQS): For senior cost engineering and quantity surveying professionals
Key Documents Required
- Certified copies of all academic qualifications and official transcripts
- Detailed employment reference letters on company letterhead (outlining duties, responsibilities, dates, and hours worked)
- Professional resume/CV
- Passport copy
- English translations of non-English documents
- AIQS application form and fee payment
Processing Time: Approximately 6–12 weeks after submission of a complete application.
Eligible Visas
Visa Subclasses for Quantity Surveyors
Quantity Surveyors are listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), providing flexible options for both temporary and permanent visas to Australia.
| Visa Subclass | Visa Name | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 189 | Skilled Independent | PR; no state/employer sponsorship needed |
| 190 | Skilled Nominated | PR; state nominates; +5 bonus points |
| 491 | Skilled Work Regional | Provisional; regional area; leads to PR (191) |
| 482 | Temporary Skill Shortage | Employer sponsored; temporary (up to 4 years) |
| 186 | Employer Nomination Scheme | Employer sponsored PR |
Visa 189 – Skilled Independent Visa
This is Australia's skilled visa granting permanent residency without the need for a sponsor or employer. Quantity Surveyors submit an EOI through SkillSelect. Typical invitation scores for Quantity Surveyors have been in the 85–95 points range.
Visa 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa
Many states actively nominate Quantity Surveyors given the construction boom. State nomination gives you an additional 5 points and can help you receive an invitation at a lower base points score. States like NSW, VIC, QLD, and WA regularly include Quantity Surveyor on their list.
Visa 491 – Skilled Work Regional Visa
The Subclass 491 provides a pathway for those willing to live and work in regional Australia for 3 years. After satisfying the regional obligation, you can apply for the Subclass 191 permanent visa. Regional allocation adds 15 bonus points to your EOI.
Visa 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage Visa
If you have an Australian employer willing to sponsor you, the TSS 482 visa allows you to work in Australia for up to 4 years. Quantity Surveyors qualify under the Medium-term stream. After 3 years, you may transition to permanent residency via the 186 visa.
Visa 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme
The Subclass 186 offers permanent residency via employer sponsorship. Available through the Direct Entry stream (for offshore applicants with an employer willing to nominate) or the Temporary Residence Transition stream (after working 3 years on a 482 visa).
Migration Points
Points Test for Quantity Surveyors
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Age 25–32 years | 30 points |
| English – Proficient | 10 points |
| English – Superior | 20 points |
| Overseas experience 8–10 yrs | 15 points |
| Australian experience 8–10 yrs | 20 points |
| Bachelor degree | 15 points |
| Master / PhD | 20 points |
| Australian study requirement | 5 points |
| Partner skills | Up to 10 points |
| Professional Year | 5 points |
| State nomination (190) | 5 points |
| Regional nomination (491) | 15 points |
Language Proficiency
English Requirements
Competent English (minimum for visa):
- IELTS Academic / General: Minimum 6.0 in each band
- PTE Academic: Minimum 50 in each communicative skill
- TOEFL iBT: 12/13/18/18 (L/R/W/S)
- OET: Grade B in each component
- CAE (Cambridge C1 Advanced): 169 in each skill
Superior English (20 bonus points):
- IELTS: 8.0 or equivalent in each band
- PTE: 79 in each skill
Salary Insights
Quantity Surveyor Salary in Australia
The Quantity Surveying profession is experiencing strong demand driven by record construction activity across Australia.
Graduate Quantity Surveyor
AUD $60,000–$75,000 per year
Intermediate QS (3–7 years)
AUD $85,000–$110,000 per year
Senior Quantity Surveyor (7–12 years)
AUD $120,000–$155,000 per year
Principal / Director Level
AUD $160,000–$220,000+ per year
Key employers include construction cost consultancies (such as Turner & Townsend, Rider Levett Bucknall, Arcadis), major building companies, developers, and government departments.
Nomination Opportunities
State Nomination Opportunities for Quantity Surveyors
Quantity Surveying is frequently listed on state occupation nomination lists. Key states to monitor include:
Key States & Regions
- New South Wales: Strong demand in Sydney's construction market
- Victoria: Infrastructure projects making Melbourne a hotspot
- Queensland: Driven by Olympics 2032 preparations and Gold Coast growth
- Western Australia: Mining and resource construction driving demand
- South Australia: Emerging market with lower nomination competition
State Nomination Note
State nomination lists are updated regularly. To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria (such as residency requirements, minimum work experience, or local employment contracts) set by individual state governments.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Interactive Tools
Calculate Points & Check Your Visa Eligibility
Use our interactive self-service migration tools to calculate your points score, test your eligibility, and discover your potential Australian visa options instantly.
PR Points Calculator
Calculate your skilled migration points score instantly to check your eligibility for 189, 190, or 491 visas.
Calculate Points ↗Visa Selection Quiz
Take our quick interactive quiz to find the most suitable Australian visa subclass for your personal profile.
Start Visa Quiz ↗Eligibility Checker
Verify if you meet the core requirements for Australian skilled, employer-sponsored, or regional visas.
Check Eligibility ↗Migration Services
How Migration Republic Can Help Quantity Surveyors
The AIQS skills assessment process and Australian visa system can be challenging to navigate alone. Migration Republic specialises in helping construction professionals — including Quantity Surveyors — successfully migrate to Australia.
Our services include:
- AIQS skills assessment preparation and document review
- EOI strategy, points calculation, and SkillSelect optimisation
- State nomination applications for 190 and 491 visas
- Employer sponsorship assistance for 482 and 186 visas
- Full document checklist and preparation support
- Ongoing visa lodgement and case management
Your future in Australia's construction industry starts here.
Ready to Start Your Quantity Surveyor Visa Pathway?
Let Migration Republic guide you through every step of your skills assessment and visa pathway to Australia. Contact our team today for a consultation.
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