Explore career options in urban and environmental planning
Here you can find information on career options and pathways in urban and environmental planning.
You can also discover where to look for job vacancies, as well as professional associations, mentoring and international opportunities.
Opportunities
Urban planning is a vital field focused on organising and planning the development of cities and communities to improve quality of life and sustainability. Graduates in urban planning can pursue careers in transport planning, environmental planning, land use management, housing and policy development.
Current trends emphasise smart cities, sustainable transportation systems, and climate resilience, addressing societal needs like reducing carbon emissions, enhancing public transport, managing urban growth, and housing affordability. Transport and environmental planning play a crucial role in creating efficient, eco-friendly urban spaces, making this field essential for shaping future communities.
Career fields
- Urban development
- Development assessment and land use
- Regional and rural planning
- Environmental planning and natural resources management
- Social and community planning
- Transport planning
- Urban design and place-making
- Infrastructure and community services planning
- Urban design and place-making Neighborhood and urban renewal
- Heritage and conservation
- Housing and tourism development
- International development
Employment roles
- Urban/town planner
- Land use planner
- Regional/rural planner
- Strategic planner
- GIS specialist
- Planning and development officer
- Environmental planner
- Traffic and transport planner
- Social planner
- Environmental assessment officer
- Economic development planner.
Occupation snapshot
Employed
19,000
Annual growth
1,000
Weekly earnings
$2,036
Part-time share
19%
This data is based on the occupation profile for , retrieved from the Government's website August 2024.
Your employability
In addition to knowledge and skills directly related to your program of study, you will also develop a range of other skills such as teamwork, analytical, communication through academic study, employment, voluntary work, sporting and recreational activities and life experience.
Recognising the value employers place on these skills is an important factor in your graduate job search. You can further develop your employability with these resources:
Vacancies
Information on relevant vacancies can be found in a wide range of sources:
- (formerly Grad 色情网站)
Industry insight
Griffith University planning students and alumni took home a swag of trophies at the Minister’s Planning Awards and Planning Institute of 色情网站 Queensland Awards for Planning Excellence.
Bachelor of Urban and Environmental Planning (Honours) alumnus Kobi Lane (2018) was also named the Young Planner of the Year.
Job application resources
Craft a stand-out resume and cover letter, and learn how to prepare for job interviews.
Approach potential employers
Many work opportunities are not advertised, so we recommend approaching potential employers with the aim of researching their needs and how your skills, experience, interests and qualifications could match theirs.
This is called informational interviewing and will benefit you by:
- clarifying your specific career direction
- enhancing your professional network
- increasing your chances of being offered a job.
Industry outlook
The website includes helpful information such as job descriptions, employment prospects, average weekly earnings and skills requirements. Every job title in the database has a skills section to help you identify and describe essential skills for your future career.
The website also has job descriptions and a useful career insight section.
The website has up-to-date information on graduate salaries, especially the Graduate Outlook Survey (GOS) National Report, which contains undergraduate salary figures.
More detailed information is available at the portal.
Professional associations
Joining a professional association is a great way to interact with people in your field who can assist you to explore your career options and potentially find employment opportunities. These associations hold regular professional development and networking events:
Students are welcome to join and often receive a discount on their membership.
Mentoring
The award-winning Industry Mentoring Program provides an excellent opportunity to further develop your employability and build professional networks.
The Program is available to students with more than 80CP as well as recent graduates.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) and is committed to promoting decent work and economic growth, advancing the principles of responsible and sustainable consumption and production, and advocating for peace, justice, and resilient institutional frameworks.
Further careers information
Careers counselling
Individual career counselling sessions are available to all current students and recent graduates.
You can book an initial appointment via CareerHub.
Career planning
Our website has an array of career planning resources you can explore at any stage of your student journey.
Career Readiness
Check out our Career Readiness site in Learning@Griffith for additional information and resources for your career development learning:
Similar career options
Please note: The content on this webpage is a guide only. Please refer to degree-specific information and accreditation requirements of your profession on the Degree and Course Finder website and with the relevant professional accreditation body for your degree.