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Following the release of the 2018 Report by BIS Oxford Economics into Determining the Future Demand, Supply and Skills Gap for Surveying and Geospatial Professions for 2018-2028, the Association of Consulting Surveyors National (CSN) acted on the recommendations to have the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) codes for surveyors reviewed.
Read our initial submission from May 2020 here.
CSN were thrilled when the Federal Government committed to budget the ABS to undertake a full review of the occupation codes for many professions including surveying.
We immediately made a submission requesting surveying be included in the review. Spatial, Surveying and Mapping Services were part of the Round 2 Review in mid-2023 and we began consulting with surveyors from across Australia about how the profession currently works and how we allocate roles within the industry. This was done through roundtable sessions with our members held in most states and further input invited from our partnering associations, the Surveyors-General and members.
Read our final submission from August 2023 here.
There were several follow-up calls and emails with the ABS and we were pleased to be asked clarifying questions feeling confident they understood how the profession now operates.
The preliminary findings were released just before Christmas. A nearly 600-page document into the review of many professions, including surveying. The full document can be read here but we have created a separate document for just the Spatial, Surveying and Mapping Services changes proposed which is available via this link or attached to this article.
They key recommendations from the ABS for change are
1. Professional Surveyor will be allocated under 4 new codes
We made the case for Registered and Licensed Surveyors to be in a "Manager" category within ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupation) Codes but that seems to have been a step too far at this stage! We will continue to advocate for that as they continue to review the process. We did argue for Hydrographic Surveyors to have their own code, but unfortunately there must be 300 people in the profession to be allocated your own code!
2. Other Spatial Scientist will be further detailed as Geospatial Specialist with the specialisations of Geospatial Analyst, GIS Consultant and GIS Manager
3. Surveying or Spatial Science Technician will be reallocated with 2 new codes
The Survey Draftsperson is a new addition to the codes. This will help us in the ongoing support of this professional role and in the creation of training to support this role continuing in our field.
4. Surveyor's Assistant we believe was not defined accurately for our side of the profession. This is at a level with "no skill or qualification required". We advocated for this code to be completely removed as we feel strongly that we need highly trained people working in our profession. However, the code remains but it has been more appropriately defined as a Surveying Assistant.
Overall Surveyors Australia, as we are now known, are very pleased with this acknowledgement of how the surveying occupations work. There will still be more work and discussions to be had with the ABS and we are seeking further input from the profession on the tasks outlined in the attached document. Please provide feedback to us at ceo@consultingsurveyors.com.au
We are hopeful that these changes will be in place before the next Census which will provide us with the most accurate information todate for our next Skills Demand Study. It also helps us understand the training requirements within the industry and where the gaps are.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed and provided input into this important piece of work - which only happens every 20 years!
Michelle Blicavs
Chief Executive Officer
Surveyors Australia
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