Urban Planner
Plan how cities and communities grow by balancing housing, transport, development, infrastructure and the environment.
What They Do
Urban Planners help determine how land should be used and how cities, suburbs and regional communities should develop.
They assess development proposals, analyse population and land-use information, prepare planning strategies, interpret zoning and planning regulations and advise governments, developers and communities.
Planners may work on housing developments, transport corridors, activity centres, parks, infrastructure, urban renewal and long-term growth strategies. They also consider environmental, economic and social impacts when recommending how land should be developed. Jobs and Skills Australia
Who This Career Suits
Urban planning suits people interested in cities, property, communities and how places change over time.
It combines analytical thinking with communication. Planners need to interpret legislation and technical information but also explain proposals to residents, developers, architects, engineers and government decision-makers.
It can particularly suit someone interested in geography, property development, sustainability, public policy or architecture.
Key Skills
Analytical Thinking, Communication, Strategic Thinking, Problem Solving, Research, Stakeholder Management, Critical Thinking, Planning
Work Environment
Office, Community, Client Sites, Team-Based
Education & Training
The usual pathway is a university qualification in urban planning, regional planning, city planning or a closely related discipline.
The Planning Institute of Australia accredits university planning programs against national professional education standards. Current accredited pathways include bachelor's, graduate diploma and master's programs across Australian universities.
Bachelor-level planning degrees are commonly used by people entering university for the first time, while master's programs can provide a pathway for graduates from other disciplines.
Career Changer Pathway
Urban planning can be quite attractive to career changers.
People enter from architecture, property, geography, environmental science, engineering, government, community development and other related fields.
Someone who already holds a bachelor's degree may be able to complete an accredited Master of Planning or Master of Urban and Regional Planning rather than undertaking another full undergraduate degree. PIA currently recognises more than 20 Australian universities offering accredited planning programs.
Early Career
Graduate Planners commonly assess straightforward development applications, conduct research, prepare reports and assist with strategic-planning projects.
They learn planning legislation and work alongside experienced planners, engineers, architects and other specialists.
Mid Career
Experienced Urban Planners manage increasingly complex developments and strategic projects.
They may specialise in areas such as:
development assessment, strategic planning, transport planning, housing, environmental planning, urban renewal or regional planning.
They also increasingly negotiate with developers, government agencies and community stakeholders.
Senior / Veteran Career
Senior professionals can progress into Senior Planner, Principal Planner, Planning Manager or Director of Planning roles.
Others move into major property developments, government policy, planning consultancy, infrastructure strategy or executive leadership.
Experienced planners can also pursue professional membership and recognition through the Planning Institute of Australia.
Salary Guide
Early Career
80000
Mid Career
110000
Senior / Veteran
145000
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Indicative annual salary (AUD)
Salary data source:
Jobs and Skills Australia / ABS
Salary data source URL:
Date :
8 October 2026 at 12:00:00 am
Career Outlook
JSA currently reports approximately 18,800 Urban and Regional Planners, with annual employment growth of about 200. Public Administration and Safety and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services are the largest employing sectors.
More importantly, JSA's 2025 Occupation Shortage Drivers Report identifies Urban and Regional Planners as having a suitability gap, meaning employers are experiencing difficulty finding applicants with the right skills or experience even where applicants may be available.
Job Outlook :
Outlook Source :
Strong
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