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Construction Project Management

Industry Overview

The construction industry is a significant driver of economic activity in Australia and is projected to grow by 2.4% in the next 5 years. It employs close to 1.2 million people and has the largest number of small businesses in Australia. Construction workers are employed in both residential and commercial sectors, and are involved in site preparation, building installation and structure services. The majority of workers in the sector are employed as carpenters and joiners, followed by construction managers and plumbers (Source: IBISWorld)

The number of people working as Construction Managers (in their main job) grew strongly over 5 years: from 76,300 in 2014 to 86,600 in 2019.

Insights

Average weekly earnings:  $3,450 per week

Mode of work: Most work full-time (89%)

Hours per week: full-time workers spend around 44 hours/ week at work.

Age: the average age is 44 years.

Gender: 7% workers are female

(Source: Job Outlook, historical figures)

Qualification Needed

Workers usually need a Bachelor or Higher degree in Construction. Additional experience is also required to work at this occupation.

Course Overview

Construction project managers plan, organise, direct, control and coordinate construction of civil engineering and building projects, and the physical and human resources involved in the construction process. Studies in construction management will teach you how to plan and make project schedules, estimate project costs, identify different building elements and processes.

Course Requirements

For Vocational Education Training level, most institutions require completion of Australian Year 11 or 12 (or equivalent), as well as a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 with no band score less than 5.

For Bachelor level, most institutions require completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent, as well as a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with no band score less than 6.

Costs

A 2-year Diploma costs between $12,000 and $19,000 per year, depending on the institution. However, this occupation requires additional studies at the Bachelor level for visa purposes.

Bachelor level costs between $20,000 and $40,000 per year, depending on the institution.

Career Outcomes and PR Prospects

Construction Project Manager

Studying Construction Project Management in Australia: What the Course Covers

Construction management courses prepare you to plan, run and deliver building and civil construction projects. You study construction technology and materials, building codes and standards, estimating and cost planning, scheduling and programming, contract administration, procurement, construction law, work health and safety, quality and risk management, sustainability, site management, and digital tools such as building information modelling (BIM). Degree courses include industry projects and often require relevant work experience.

Qualifications and AQF Levels

Qualification AQF level What it prepares you for
Certificate IV in Building and Construction AQF 4 Site supervisor and builder licence pathway roles
Diploma of Building and Construction (Building or Management) AQF 5 Site manager, estimator and contract administration roles
Bachelor of Construction Management AQF 7 Construction project manager roles, and the usual level for a skills assessment
Master of Construction Management AQF 9 Construction project manager roles for graduates of related fields, and senior roles

Study Pathways

For migration purposes, Construction Project Manager generally requires a bachelor degree or higher in a closely related field plus relevant work experience, as the page notes above. Many students start with a Diploma of Building and Construction and then complete a bachelor of construction management with credit, or study a master of construction management after a related degree. Builder licensing in each state has separate qualification and experience requirements.

Related Occupations and Visa Pathways (as at October 2026)

Occupation ANZSCO CSOL (482 and 186) Skilled lists (189, 190, 491, 485)
Construction Project Manager 133111 Yes MLTSSL
Project Builder 133112 Yes ROL
Construction Estimator 312114 Yes ROL
Quantity Surveyor 233213 Yes MLTSSL

Our Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) guide explains which visas use each list and what that means for construction managers and project builders.

Career Outlook

Construction managers work for builders and contractors, developers, project management consultancies, government infrastructure agencies and mining and energy companies. Large infrastructure, housing and energy projects across Australia have kept demand high, and experienced construction project managers are among the more sought after construction professionals.

Applying for a Student Visa to Study Construction Management

Construction management courses at degree level suit applicants with a building, engineering or architecture background, so explain how your earlier study or site experience leads into the course. The current English, financial and work rules are on our Student visa (subclass 500) page.

Construction Project Management Study FAQs

Yes. As at October 2026, Construction Project Manager (133111) is on both the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the MLTSSL. It is a manager level occupation, so skills assessments and employer sponsored visas usually expect a relevant degree plus management experience on construction projects.

Graduates of a bachelor or master’s degree completed in Australia may be eligible for the 485 Post-Higher Education Work stream, generally for 2 years. This stream does not require a skills assessment, so it can give you time to gain the local experience that Construction Project Manager assessments usually require.

Generally yes. Skills assessments for Construction Project Manager usually require a relevant qualification plus post qualification work experience at a management level. Employer sponsored visas also require relevant experience.

A project builder usually plans and runs residential or smaller building projects, often as the licensed builder. A construction project manager typically manages larger commercial, civil or multi residential projects with several contractors. They are separate occupations (133112 and 133111), so the one you nominate should match your actual duties.

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