From TAFE to university

TAFE Institutions around Australia offer a range of technical level Associate Diploma and Diploma Courses in surveying and spatial information science. Many people already have employment as survey assistants or technicians and enrol in TAFE to enhance job opportunities; sometimes they progress on to complete a university degree. TAFE qualified students can usually enrol in a surveying or geomatics degree course with advanced standing through the university articulation arrangements.

TAFE courses differ from state to state but generally cover:

• Surveying
• Survey Drafting
• Land Information Systems/Land Information Science
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• traditional surveying equipment and techniques
• electronic surveying and global positioning system (GPS) surveying
• surveying calculations
• preparing drawings and reports
• project management

Most are studied part-time or full-time, with some available by distance education.

Graduate technicians work for themselves or assist registered cadastral, mining or engineering surveyors. Students may also work as computer technologists. Advances in surveying and mapping equipment and software give technicians a significant role in the industry with many becoming project managers.

Spatial science courses are offered in all Australian states. To view a list of courses visit the Australian Spatial Information Education and Research Association (ASIERA)