A planning course will qualify you for jobs as an urban, regional or town planner. Here are online courses from Australia. Majors include town planning, urban and regional, and urban design.
To be a town planner, urban designer or similar, you should do a planning course. Which course is not always clear as most jobs simply ask for university qualifications in a relevant field. Generally, you benefit from acquiring a university degree.
A Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning is the standard qualification for urban planners. For urban design, a bachelors in architecture (or landscape architecture) is also a common degree to earn.
Postgraduate qualifications are also valuable in these competitive fields. The shortest course is a Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning and Design. You can complete this over 8 months of part-time study. The online course is a pathway to masters degrees.
List of Courses
Diploma in Town Planning
A Diploma in Town Planning is a gateway to a career in this field. Students gain the basic knowledge and skills necessary to work as an urban planner, including city development and rural planning. Additionally, the diploma serves as a stepping stone to further education and professional growth.
University of New England
The University of New England has a pathway course for students interested in an urban planning degree. The 8-subject Diploma in Town Planning is open to anyone with at least a Certificate IV qualification in any discipline. The online diploma counts as credit towards UNE’s urban planning bachelor degree. Subjects include plan making, local environmental infrastructure, urban living, introduction to architectural design, and economic change and urban development.
Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning
Have you ever wondered how new suburbs are designed, where the next railway station will be located, or how to balance urban growth with the environment, agriculture, and mining? These processes involve urban and development planners, as well as urban designers and other professionals. You can qualify to work in this field with a four-year Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning.
University of New England
The University of New England has a four-year degree in Urban and Regional Planning that leads to accreditation by the Planning Institute of Australia. Students are given a general education in all major areas of planning and urban design. On-the-job training is an important aspect of the degree, giving UNE graduates a career head start. Course admission is based on recent secondary education performance (ATAR), higher education grades (GPA), vocational education and training (VET) study, or work experience. The minimum ATAR is 72.55.
University of Southern Queensland
The University of Southern Queensland offers a career-focused planning program. The four-year professional degree equips students with job-ready skills and knowledge. Students use modern mapping technologies and learn about planning laws and community consultation. The Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (Honours) is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA). Graduates may seek planner registration. You can choose to study online or on campus. Gain practical experience through residential schools at UniSQ Toowoomba.
Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning and Design
The Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning and Design is a compact course. Earn a university qualification in just 8 months of part-time study online. Students build career foundations in both design and planning. Each completed subject provides credit towards a graduate diploma or master's.
UTS Online
The 100% online Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning and Design builds foundational knowledge and skills to become an effective planner and/or designer. This course welcomes candidates from different professional backgrounds, providing a pathway into a dynamic and rewarding career. Through industry-informed content and real-world case studies, students gain practical skills and experience. Topics include design and planning theory and decisions, property development and planning process, sustainable urban development, and urban design fundamentals.
What You Learn in an Urban Planning Course
An urban planning course teaches you about the intelligent organisation of buildings, infrastructure and landscapes. Students learn how to structure developments to achieve the best overall outcome – subject to resource, technical and legal constraints. You'll develop your understanding of how cities and sites are constructed physically, socially and environmentally.
Students build communication skills, reasoning ability and analytical methods to contribute to policy, technical and regulatory activities. Learning outcomes include being able to:
- find and manage project-relevant information
- analyse problems and generate creative solutions
- communicate to diverse audiences
- access new technologies and acquire new skills.
Urban planning courses prepare students to be professional planners. Graduates are well-versed in important concepts, possess key technical skills, and are familiar with the breadth of planning considerations.
Graduate Diploma in Urban Design
A Graduate Diploma in Urban Design looks quite different from a course for planners. Much of the curriculum is devoted to design studio projects. Students need to develop drawing, analytical and design skills. To support working professionals, you can study online on a part-time basis.
UTS Online
The UTS Online Graduate Diploma in Urban Design is for professionals with a background in areas such as architecture, strategic planning or environmental science, who want to develop their practical design capabilities. Through industry-informed course content and studio-based projects, students learn to design resilient and creative solutions that enhance the lived experience at any urban scale. This course is delivered 100% online, enabling you to continue working full-time. To earn the Graduate Diploma, you need to complete 8 subjects from the masters program.
Master of Urban Design
Gain the skills to shape the Australian urban landscape with a Master of Urban Design, available entirely online and suitable for working professionals.
The master's program equips you with training and credentials to drive career success. Develop practical skills in drawing, analysis, and design through the degree program. Also expand your knowledge of urban planning.
Design studio units will sharpen your skills in drawing, analysis, and design. Explore topics such as urban morphologies and typologies, place-making, mobility, and the planning environment... READ MORE
Master of Urban Planning
Advance your career as a planner with a 100% online Master of Urban Planning. This is the premier qualification for planners and covers both fundamental and advanced subjects. Study topics such as urban redevelopment, spatial analysis, Australian planning and environmental laws, urban design, and community engagement.
This master's program is suitable for those who want to become planners and working professionals looking to upgrade their skills and qualifications.
Online programs allow you to study part-time while employed full-time... READ MORE
Career Opportunities
In the design and planning field, common job titles include town planner, planner and urban designer. Demand for graduates is strong, with employment of Urban and Regional Planners projected to grow by 19% to 16,000 over the 5 years to 2027.
To give you an idea of the career opportunities in Australia, here are randomly selected job ad outlines.
Snippets from jobs ads. Random sample.
Graduate Town Planner – Narrabri NSW
Looking to kick-start your career in Town, Environmental, or Urban and Regional Planning? This is a great opportunity for a recent graduate or candidate nearing completion of study in a Town Planning or related university qualification. You will assist in delivering quality development assessment and compliance services.
Trainee Town Planner – Albury NSW
Trainee Town Planner (Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning). You will assist in the delivery of customer focused, professional Town Planning service to our community which includes, the provision of development advice, assessment of applications and creation of strategic policy for the future development of the City.
Town Planner – City of Greater Geelong
You will work in the Statutory Planning team to provide an effective and efficient service to facilitate the assessment and issue of permits and approvals for all forms of proposed developments. You will also provide a professional and customer focused advisory service. To be successful in this role, you will have: Tertiary qualification and/or experience in Town Planning or Urban Studies.
Urban Designer – Architectus
We're an architecture and design studio specialising in public, commercial, education, interiors, residential, transport, urban design, and planning. We’re seeking a talented, driven individual to join our Melbourne team. You have: Qualifications in Urban Design, and/or background in Architecture or Landscape Architecture.
Urban Designer – Sydney NSW
We’re seeking a skilled and motivated urban designer to join our Strategic Planning and Urban Design Unit. You will provide design advice on projects including land use decisions, transport and public domain project. You will have tertiary qualifications in Urban Design, Architecture or a related discipline.
Town Planner (Ongoing) – Queanbeyan NSW
The Town Planner is responsible for planning services to do with acquiring new and existing facilities in the Queanbeyan-Palerang area. This is an exciting stage of economic development with numerous development projects planned and currently underway.
Planner - Development Services – Moreton Bay
You will provide technical advice and do assessments of low complexity development matters relating to land use impacts of development to meet the needs of the community. As well as a degree in Town Planning OR having experience in a Development Planning role, you have a working knowledge of urban design and placemaking.
Town Planner – HAYS
Major regional NSW municipality requires a Town Planner on an immediate contract. You will ensure that development applications are in line with the council strategic long-term vision. What you'll need: A tertiary qualification in Town Planning or a related discipline.
FAQs
Yes, town planners are in demand in Australia. Demand is driven by population growth, urbanisation, and the need for sustainable urban development. With the increasing focus on smart cities, the demand for planners is expected to continue to grow. Expertise will be sought in areas such as environmental management, community engagement, and land-use zoning.
To become a planner in Australia, you typically need the following qualifications.
- Education. Most planners hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in planning, urban design, geography, or a related field. The degree should be accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA).
- Work experience. Some employers require practical experience, such as internships or co-op programs. You can also gain experience by volunteering or working in a related field.
- Professional membership. Becoming a member of the PIA may demonstrate commitment to the profession and enhance your career prospects.
Working in a related field before becoming a planner can be beneficial. You gain hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of processes, which can make you a more competitive candidate when applying for jobs.
Examples of occupational fields that provide valuable experience include: architecture, community development, environmental management, environmental science, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), geography, landscape architecture, real estate development, surveying, and urban design.
Some people find that working in a related field provides valuable experience that helps them succeed as a planner. Others prefer to start their long-term careers straight away.
To become a town planner, you typically need to follow these steps.
- Obtain a relevant degree. Most town planners hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in urban planning, urban design, geography, or a related field.
- Gain practical experience. Some degree programs offer opportunities for practical experience, such as internships or co-op programs. You can also gain experience by volunteering or working in a related field.
- Get certified. You're not required to be certified, but becoming a member of the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) can demonstrate your commitment to the profession and enhance your career prospects.
- Apply for a job. Once you have completed your education and gained practical experience, you can apply for jobs. Opportunities can be found in government, private consulting firms, and non-profit organisations.
Gaining practical experience after formal education is an important step. You'll need to develop skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the field, as well as make connections with other professionals in the industry.
One way of gaining experience is to volunteer with local organisations that focus on urban plans and development. These can include non-profits, advocacy groups, and community initiatives.
Some employers may also offer entry-level positions to graduates who are just starting their careers. These roles may have you assist with research, data analysis, or project management for example.
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