ANZSCO 2322-12 South Australia
Surveyor March 2017
Labour Economics Office South Australia
Department of Employment
Current labour market rating No Shortage
Previous labour market rating (April 2016) No Shortage
Comments
Employers advertising surveyor vacancies were able to attract sufficient suitable applicants and fill positions for the occupation. Employers consistently experienced success in recruitment. Results of the survey indicate there is no occupational shortage for surveyors.
Survey results
· The businesses contacted were generally consultancy firms providing urban, civil and engineering surveying services.
· Surveys undertaken in 2015 and 2016 reported subdued demand for surveyors in South Australia.
· Despite an apparent occupational demand increase, employers recently recruiting surveyors in South Australia filled vacancies at a rate of 80 per cent, compared with a 100 per cent fill rate in last year’s survey.
· On average, employers received sufficient applicants (10.4), qualified applicants (6.0) and suitable applicants (2.4) to fill advertised vacancies.
· Employers discussed the seasonality of business, competition from industries offering attractive remuneration and recruitment clauses in business offers as influences on recruiting exercises.
· Most companies reported no difficulties in recruiting exercises.
· Overall, survey results of recently advertised vacancies portray a labour market where sufficient surveyors exist to meet levels of demand. Consequently, the labour market rating remains as no shortage.
Unsuitable applicants
· Lack of occupational or specific experience was the most common reason for applicant unsuitability.
· Technical skills, experience with specific software and lack of appropriate qualifications were also cited by employers as reasons for unsuitability.
Demand and supply trends
· Demand for surveyors is mostly driven by growth in land development and activity in the civil engineering and building construction industries.
· ABS data shows the value of work done in South Australian engineering construction activity[1] increased in the year to the September quarter 2016 by around three per cent. Around a quarter of the total value was attributed to work completed on bridges, railways and harbours with approximately a fifth each attributed to Telecommunications, Heavy industry and Roads, highways and subdivisions.
· The value of SA building work done in the year to the September quarter 2016 decreased by around 9 per cent[2]. However, the value of SA building approvals[3], which provides an indication of future demand, grew by 14 per cent in the year to January 2016. Strong growth was observed in the non-residential sector (25 per cent) compared with the residential sector (3 per cent).
· The most recent data released by the Urban Development Institute of Australia showed Greenfield[4] lot production in South Australia increased 2015 by 11.4 per cent to 2,202 lots released. The increase was off a comparatively low base to the rest of Australia.
· The number of internet vacancies advertised in January 2017 increased compared to January 2016[5]. The trend increase followed calendar year data where advertised internet vacancies increased by almost a fifth in 2016 compared with 2015.
· Licensing by the Surveyors Board of SA requires applicants to i) demonstrate qualifications, or qualifications or experience equivalent to a minimum Bachelor of Geoinformatics and Surveying (University of South Australia) combined with ii) 400 days of surveying experience and 200 days of cadastral surveying and iii) satisfactorily complete a cadastral surveying project.
· Undergraduate and Postgraduate completions in the education field (Surveying, ASCED 031101) reached a five year high in South Australia in 2015. This increase is atypical of the trend observed over a five year period where completion numbers have been subdued[6].
· The workforce of registered and licensed surveyors (cadastral) represents a sub-set and indicator of the total surveyor workforce and in 2016 there were 139 registered and licensed cadastral surveyors in South Australia[7], compared with 142 in 2015, 145 in 2014 and 161 in 2013.
Labour Economics Office South Australia
Department of Employment
[1] ABS, Engineering Construction Activity, Australia, Cat. No. 8762.0
[2] ABS, Building Activity, Australia, Cat. No. 8752.0
[3] ABS, Building Approvals, Australia, Cat. No. 8731.0
[4] Urban Development Institute of Australia, National State of the Land Report, 2016
[5] Department of Employment, Vacancy Report, IVI Detailed Occupation Data – March 2006 onwards
[6] Deparment of Education and Training, Higher Education Student Data Collection, 2015, customised tables
[7] Surveyors Board of South Australia