Master’s in construction management in Australia is a 1.5-to-3-year course offered by some universities in the country. It is mostly a thesis-based program that costs roughly AUD 37,000 to AUD 50,000 or approximately INR 19-27 lakh per year through tuition fees. After graduating successfully in construction management, aspirants may expect average salaries up to AUD 115,000 per annum or approximately INR 61.33 lakh.
The huge growth of Australia’s construction and development industries, driving massive demand for skilled construction managers, site managers, project managers, and qualified professionals in varied job roles.
Successful graduates earn handsome starting salaries while getting numerous opportunities for future growth.
Students can enroll at some leading global universities for construction management here.
Steady job growth is a big demand driver, with experts predicting massive increases over the next five years.
Reports estimate that close to 90% of construction managers have full-time employment in Australia, way higher than 66% (national average) for all professions.
Cities like Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne are the highest-paying locations for skilled construction managers.
Top universities for master’s in construction management in Australia
Here are some of Australia’s top institutions for studying master’s in construction management. This is a list of top institutions for civil and structural engineering in Australia for 2021.
QS Rank 12- The University of New South Wales
QS Rank 14- The University of Sydney
QS Rank 23- Monash University
QS Rank 28- The University of Melbourne
QS Rank 30- The University of Queensland
QS Rank 47- The University of Western Australia
QS Rank 51-100- Curtin University
QS Rank 51-100- Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
Cost of studying for master’s in construction management in Australia
The average tuition fees are roughly between AUD 37-50,000 or approximately INR 19-26 lakh per year. Factor in roughly AUD 450-600 (INR 24-32,000) for health insurance. For stationery, books, site visits, and materials, you can estimate approximately AUD 2,500-4,000. This works out to approximately INR 1.33-2.13 lakh. Living costs are usually around AUD 2,800-3,100 each month or INR 1.50-1.65 lakh.
Residing in cities like Sydney is costlier, while staying in the suburbs is comparatively cost-effective. You can also opt for sharing slightly affordable accommodation units. In most cases, accommodation costs may hover between AUD 3,500-15,000 per month or approximately INR 1.86-8 lakh.
Program Highlights
There are numerous top universities for master’s in construction management in Australia in which you can get yourself enrolled. The duration and the fee structure vary among different universities. Given below are some of the details pertaining to the construction management courses in Australia:
Course Name- master’s in construction management
Tenure- 1.5-3 years
Average Fees- AUD 37-50,000 (INR 19-26 lakh)
Fields of Study- Subject matter is slightly more focused than civil engineering master’s programs. Construction engineering and management is a subset of civil engineering, and the main subjects include the following:
Building construction
Structures and materials
Fundamentals of environmental laws for building
Contract and cost management
Commercial construction
Construction management
Methods and means for construction
Building operations and services
Construction management systems
Environmental regulations and mechanisms
Scheduling of construction
Construction estimating and measurement
Construction laws and guidelines
Project management
Master’s in construction management in Australia- Admissions Explained
International students with undergraduate degrees in engineering or related subjects may apply for master’s programs in construction management in Australia. Candidates should score at least 60-65% in their undergraduate courses while possessing up to 3-5 years of work experience in some cases, especially if they do not have relevant UG degrees. Personal statements are also scrutinized and scores in English language proficiency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS.
Documents Needed:
Academic transcripts, certificates, and marks sheets.
SOP (Statement of Purpose).
Personal Statement.
Letters of Recommendation (LORs).
Score sheets of English language proficiency tests for non-native international aspirants (IELTS/TOEFL).
CV/Resume.
In most scenarios, universities insist on a minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS or 79-90 in TOEFL iBT (internet-based test). You must apply at various universities online, individually, and within their stipulated deadlines. Apply by filling up and submitting the application form online and uploading all supporting documents. Wait for a letter of confirmation or acceptance from any university that you have applied to. You may have to clear a personal interview as well.
Job Prospects after MS in construction management in Australia
There are bright employment prospects in Australia after completing an MS in construction management in the country. Aspirants can get job roles as project engineers, construction managers, project managers, construction project managers, quantity surveyors, site engineers, construction estimators, and more. Average salaries usually hover around AUD 70,000 (INR 37.33 lakh) per year and go up to AUD 115,000 per year (approximately INR 61.33 lakh) with skills and experience.
Students usually pursue a master’s program in either construction management or project management which has similar course content. The difference here is that construction management emphasizes the management of construction sites while project management is more focused on the domain itself. The construction industry is one of the biggest contributors to the Australian national economy. This ensures great job opportunities for skilled graduates.
Disclaimer! All course fees and salaries are approximate amounts subject to change depending on various conditions.
You must apply directly for the student visa online. You will have to submit some documents and then clear your visa interview. Here are the documents that you must provide:
a Letter of enrolment or confirmation from an Australian university.
Payment receipt for visa application charge.
A valid passport.
GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) statement.
Proof of funds for covering the cost of the course and living expenditure.
Health insurance policy documents.
Work experience and academic documents.
Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS scores).
Passport-sized photographs.
SOP (Statement of Purpose).
Available Scholarships
There are numerous scholarships offered by the Australian Government and many other institutions for deserving international students. Some of the choices include the following:
Name of the Institution
Name of the Scholarship
Award Amount (in AUD)
University of New South Wales
UNSW International Scholarships
AUD 5000 or INR 2.67 lakh
Swinburne University of Technology
Swinburne International Scholarship
Tuition fee waiver of 50%
Swinburne International Postgraduate excellence scholarship
AUD 21,000 or roughly INR 11.20 lakh
University of Adelaide
Global Academic Excellence Scholarship
Waiver of 50% of tuition costs
Global Citizens scholarship
Waiver of 15-30% of tuition costs
the University of Melbourne
Melbourne Graduate Scholarship
Waiver of 25-50% on tuition fees
Scholarships for specific Asian countries
AUD 10,000 or roughly INR 5.33 lakh
Dean’s International Scholarship
Waiver of tuition fees up to a maximum of AUD 60,000 or roughly INR 32 lakh
Yes, construction managers are highly in demand throughout Australia. Construction is an industry that is the third biggest contributor to the country’s GDP, ensuring plentiful job opportunities every year for construction management graduates. Job growth is handsome, and so are starting salaries which grow exponentially with skills and experience. The industry is witnessing the development of several private and public projects along with other infrastructure, generating huge employment.
How can I become a construction manager in Australia?
For becoming a construction manager in Australia, you will first have to study a master’s program in construction management or any other related discipline. Thereafter, for working as a construction project manager in the country, you will have to register with the ABLIS (Australian Business License and Information Service). Registration renewals take place every year, while you will require to have completed accredited certification/qualifications and obtained practical work experience for being eligible.
Is construction work good in Australia?
Working in the construction industry comes with numerous advantages in Australia. You will find work easily throughout major cities and suburbs alike. There are high-paying jobs for construction managers, engineers, and other professionals in the sector. Your work will also count greatly towards your second-year visa. There are highly paid job opportunities available for suitably trained construction management graduates in Australia.
Is there any scope for a construction manager in Australia?
Construction managers have a great scope in Australia. This job role has seen exponential growth over the last few years. Authorities estimate double-digit growth in hiring and employment over many more years. Reports also estimate that salaries in the field are at least 30% higher than average national wages in the country. There is an excellent scope of work in varied job sectors, spanning public and private developments and infrastructural projects.
What all are the job opportunities after a master’s in construction management in Australia?
Graduates can avail many job opportunities after completing their master’s in construction management in Australia. Some of the available job roles include construction manager, site engineer, project manager, facilities manager, sustainability consultant, building surveyor, construction estimator, building services engineer, etc.
Can one apply for PR in Australia after a master’s in construction management?
Yes, it is possible to apply for permanent residence (PR) in Australia after completing your master’s course in construction management. You have to meet all crucial eligibility criteria in this scenario. You should have the necessary qualifications and employment to obtain PR.A. Yes, it is possible to apply for permanent residence (PR) in Australia after completing your master’s course in construction management. You have to meet all crucial eligibility criteria in this scenario. You should have the necessary qualifications and employment to obtain PR.
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