Architects and Landscape Architects

ANZSCO ID 2321

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
26,700
Future Growth
16.8%
Weekly Earnings
$1,827
Full-Time Share
79%
Female Share
34%
Average age
39

Summary

Architects and Landscape Architects design commercial, industrial, institutional, residential and recreational buildings and landscapes.

Tasks

  • obtaining advice from clients and management to determine type, style and size of planned buildings and alterations to existing buildings

  • providing information regarding designs, materials and estimated building times

  • preparing project documentation, including sketches and scale drawings, and integrating structural, mechanical and aesthetic elements in final designs

  • writing specifications and contract documents for use by builders and calling tenders on behalf of clients

  • consulting with Professionals and clients about external area designs, costs and construction

  • compiling and analysing site and community data about geographical and ecological features, landforms, soils, vegetation, site hydrology, visual characteristics and human-made structures, to formulate land use and development recommendations, and for preparing environmental impact statements

  • preparing reports, site plans, working drawings, specifications and cost estimates for land development, showing location and details of proposals, including ground modelling, structures, vegetation and access

  • inspecting construction work in progress to ensure compliance with plans, specifications and quality standards

Characteristics

Job Type
Professionals
Skill Level
Very high skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
Below average
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • University
Interests
  • Practical
  • Analytical
  • Creative
  • Enterprising
Physical Demand
  • Sedentary
  • Light

Outlook

Employment Outlook

JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. The latest data are for the five years from November 2021 to November 2026. Over this period, the number of workers:

  • is expected to grow very strongly
  • is likely to reach 30,800 by 2026.
  • Source: Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.

    Notes: The number employed includes people who work in this occupation as their main job. People who work in more than one job are counted against the occupation they work the most hours in.

    Employment projections figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Calculations based on these rounded figures may result in differences to the numbers that are displayed on this page. Employment projections data (including occupations) can be downloaded from the Employment Projections page.

Projected Change
16.8%
(or 4,400 jobs)
From
26,400
in 2021
To
30,800
in 2026

Number of Workers

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.
Year Employment
2011 18,200
2012 22,800
2013 20,100
2014 28,600
2015 22,400
2016 27,200
2017 20,100
2018 35,400
2019 34,900
2020 32,800
2021 26,400
2026 30,800

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 81% of people employed as Architects and Landscape Architects work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 15 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 45 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).

    More than half of workers regularly work overtime or extra hours (either paid or unpaid).

    Median full-time earnings are $1,827 per week, this is much higher than the all jobs median ($1,593):

    • 3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,347
    • 1 in 4 earn more than $2,038

    Median hourly earnings are $48, this is more than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).

    Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.

Weekly Earnings (Before Tax)

Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.
Earnings Architects and Landscape Architects All Jobs Average
Full-Time Earnings 1,827 1,593
Total Earnings 0 0

Source: Based on ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021, Customised Report. Median weekly total cash earnings for full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate. Earnings are before tax and include amounts salary sacrificed. Earnings can vary greatly depending on the skills and experience of the worker and the demands of the role. These figures should be used as a guide only, not to determine a wage rate.


Industries

Main industries

1
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
85.2%
2
Construction
7.5%
3
Public Administration and Safety
3.1%
4
Education and Training
1.1%
5
Other industries
2.8%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

35.7% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

31.6% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

15.2% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

5.2% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

8.9% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

1.5% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

0.3% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

1.8% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Architects and Landscape Architects All Jobs Average
NSW 35.7 31.6
VIC 31.6 25.6
QLD 15.2 20.0
SA 5.2 7.0
WA 8.9 10.8
TAS 1.5 2.0
NT 0.3 1.0
ACT 1.8 1.9


  • Around 86% of Architects and Landscape Architects live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.

    Victoria and New South Wales have a large share of employment relative to their population size.

    Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.


Worker profile

Age and gender

Age In Years
39
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
34%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Architects and Landscape Architects is 39 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.

    Females make up 34% of the workforce. This is 14 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.

    Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.

Age Profile (% Share)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Architects and Landscape Architects All Jobs Average
15-19 0.2 5.0
20-24 5.2 9.3
25-34 30.8 22.9
35-44 26.6 22.0
45-54 18.5 21.6
55-59 7.0 9.0
60-64 5.7 6.0
65 and Over 6.1 4.2
Median Age 39 40

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.


Employment Pathways

Education, training and experience

A bachelor degree in architectural design or landscape architecture is usually needed to work as an Architect or Landscape Architect. Many workers have a postgraduate qualification.

Registration or licencing may be required.

Visit

  • Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
  • ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.

Highest Level of Education (% Share)

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Type of Qualification Architects and Landscape Architects All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 35.1 10.1
Bachelor degree 55.4 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 5.4 11.6
Certificate III/IV 1.0 21.1
Year 12 2.9 18.1
Year 11 0.1 4.8
Year 10 and below 0.1 12.5

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.


Skills and Knowledge

Employers look for Architects and Landscape Architects who can communicate clearly, work well in a team and have strong interpersonal skills.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 66%

    Critical thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • 66%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 64%

    Judgment and decision making

    Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.

  • 63%

    Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.

  • 63%

    Mathematics

    Using maths to solve problems.

  • 61%

    Operations analysis

    Understanding needs and product requirements to create a design.

  • 61%

    Active learning

    Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.

  • 59%

    Active listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • 59%

    Complex problem solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • 59%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 59%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 59%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.

  • 55%

    Persuasion

    Talking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.

  • 54%

    Systems evaluation

    Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.

  • 54%

    Negotiation

    Bringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.

  • 52%

    Management of personnel resources

    Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.

  • 50%

    Systems analysis

    Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.

  • 50%

    Social perceptiveness

    Understanding why people react the way they do.

  • 48%

    Learning strategies

    Figuring out the best way to teach or learn something new.

  • 46%

    Quality control analysis

    Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 90%

    Technical design

    Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • 82%

    Building and construction

    Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.

  • 73%

    Customer and personal service

    Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.

  • 72%

    Engineering and technology

    Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.

  • 68%

    Administration and management

    Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.

  • 64%

    Sales and marketing

    Showing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

  • 63%

    Geography

    Describing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.

  • 62%

    English language

    English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • 62%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 62%

    Clerical

    Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.

  • 61%

    Computers and electronics

    Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • 59%

    Law and government

    How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.

  • 59%

    Public safety and security

    Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.

  • 57%

    Personnel and human resources

    Recruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.

  • 56%

    Fine arts

    Compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.

  • 54%

    Economics and accounting

    Economics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.

  • 53%

    Education and training

    Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • 51%

    Psychology

    Human behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.

  • 50%

    Mechanical

    Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • 47%

    Physics

    The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 73%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 70%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 70%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 70%

    Visualization

    Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

  • 66%

    Near vision

    See details that are up-close (within a few feet).

  • 66%

    Problem spotting

    Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.

  • 64%

    Brainstorming

    Come up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.

  • 63%

    Categorising

    Come up with different ways of grouping things.

  • 63%

    Originality

    Come up with unusual or clever ideas, or creative ways to solve a problem.

  • 63%

    Mathematics

    Choose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.

  • 61%

    Far vision

    See details that are far away.

  • 61%

    Sorting or ordering

    Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • 61%

    Written comprehension

    Read and understand written information.

  • 61%

    Working with numbers

    Add, subtract, multiply, or divide.

  • 59%

    Inductive reasoning

    Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.

  • 59%

    Written expression

    Write in a way that people can understand.

  • 57%

    Flexibility of closure

    See a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.

  • 55%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.

  • 52%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.

  • 45%

    Perceptual speed

    Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.


Activities

These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

  • 84%

    Planning and prioritising work

    Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.

  • 84%

    Thinking creatively

    Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.

  • 81%

    Drafting, laying out, and specifying parts

    Detailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

  • 79%

    Communicating with the public

    Giving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 78%

    Making decisions and solving problems

    Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

  • 78%

    Scheduling work and activities

    Working out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

  • 78%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

    Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.

  • 76%

    Coordinating the work of a team

    Getting members of a group to work together to finish a task.

  • 76%

    Communicating within a team

    Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 75%

    Negotiating and resolving conflicts

    Handling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.

  • 75%

    Building good relationships

    Building good working relationships and keeping them over time.

  • 74%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 73%

    Leading and encouraging a team

    Encouraging and building trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

  • 73%

    Checking compliance with standards

    Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

  • 71%

    Guiding and directing staff

    Guiding and directing staff, including setting and monitoring performance standards.

  • 67%

    Managing payments and orders

    Monitoring and controlling resources and the spending of money.

  • 67%

    Collecting and organising information

    Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.

  • 65%

    Looking for changes over time

    Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.

  • 60%

    Documenting or recording information

    Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

  • 58%

    Working with computers

    Using computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.


Interests and demands

Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.

Interests

Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.

  • 95%

    Creative

    Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.

  • 71%

    Analytical

    Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

  • 57%

    Enterprising

    Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • 57%

    Practical

    Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

  • 33%

    Administrative

    Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

  • 24%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.


Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
  • 86%

    Independence

    Work alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.

  • 81%

    Achievement

    Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

  • 81%

    Recognition

    Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.

  • 79%

    Working conditions

    Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.

  • 62%

    Support

    Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.

  • 52%

    Relationships

    Serve and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.


Demands

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 100%

    Electronic mail

    Use electronic mail.

  • 99%

    Indoors, heat controlled

    Work indoors with access to heating or cooling.

  • 98%

    Telephone

    Talk on the telephone.

  • 93%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 89%

    Being exact or accurate

    Be very exact or highly accurate.

  • 89%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 87%

    Contact with people

    Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.

  • 87%

    Spend time sitting

    Spend time sitting at work.

  • 87%

    Letters and memos

    Write letters and memos.

  • 86%

    Competition

    Compete with others, or be aware of competitive pressures.

  • 81%

    Impact of decisions

    Make decisions that have a large impact on other people.

  • 81%

    Lead or coordinate a team

    Lead others to do work activities.

  • 81%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 78%

    Frequent decision making

    Frequently make decisions that impact other people.

  • 77%

    Unstructured work

    Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.

  • 73%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 69%

    Contact with the public

    Work with customers or the public.

  • 67%

    Repeating same tasks

    Repeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.

  • 67%

    Consequence of error

    Work where mistakes have serious consequences.

  • 66%

    Making repetitive motions

    Spend time making repetitive motions.

Occupational Information Network
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 17-1011.00 - Architects, Except Landscape and Naval.


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