An Urban and Regional Planner develops and implements plans and policies for the controlled use of urban and rural land, and advises on economic, environmental and social factors affecting land use. This may include working on large-scale projects such as new suburbs, towns, industrial areas, commercial and retail developments, urban renewal projects and transportation links.
Occupation description
An Urban and Regional Planner develops and implements plans and policies for the controlled use of urban and rural land, and advises on economic, environmental and social factors affecting land use. This may include working on large-scale projects such as new suburbs, towns, industrial areas, commercial and retail developments, urban renewal projects and transportation links.
Occupations considered suitable under this ANZSCO code:
- Land Planner
- Town Planner
- Traffic and Transport Planner
- Resource Management Planner (NZ)
Occupations not considered suitable under this ANZSCO code:
- Landscape Architect
- Architectural Draftsperson
- Construction Project Manager
- Land Economist
These occupations are classified elsewhere in ANZSCO or are not at the required skill level.
Urban and Regional Planner is a VETASSESS Group A occupation
This occupation requires a qualification assessed as comparable to the educational level of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Bachelor degree or higher, in a field highly relevant to the nominated occupation. Applicants must also have at least one year of highly relevant, post-qualification employment, at an appropriate skill level completed in the last five years.
** Highly relevant paid employment duration (20 hours or more per week):
One year of post-qualification paid employment (20 hours or more per week) highly relevant to the nominated occupation, at an appropriate skill level in the last five years before the date of application for a Skills Assessment.
Qualification and Employment Criteria
Employment
Highly relevant tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Compiling and analysing data on economic, legal, political, cultural, demographic, sociological, physical and environmental factors affecting land use.
- Conferring with government authorities, communities, Architects, social scientists, Legal Professionals, and planning, development and environmental specialists.
- Devising and recommending use and development of land, and presenting narrative and graphic plans, programs and designs to groups and individuals.
- Advising governments and organisations on urban and regional planning and resource planning.
- Reviewing and evaluating environmental impact reports.
- Staying up-to-date with changes in building and zoning codes, regulations and other legal issues.
- May serve as mediators in disputes over planning proposals and projects.
- May speak at public meetings and appear before government to explain planning proposals.
Additional tasks may include:
- Assisting developers to obtain planning permits.
- Providing evidence for appeals in planning disputes.
Employment Information
Categories of acceptable employment contexts include (but are not limited to):
- Government at all levels (including local council / municipality)
- Urban Design Company / Consultancy
- Multidisciplinary Design Consultancy
- Property Development Company
Urban and Regional Planners develop plans and programs for land use and built environment. Unlike Landscape Architects who specifically focus on the layout and features in outdoor areas, Urban Planners consider environmental factors as well as community needs and the long-term development plans for a specific region.
Applicants who are based in multidisciplinary design consultancy may also be deemed suitable provided any tasks undertaken are performed in an appropriate department or division of the company.
Academic Roles such as PhD research / teaching / tutoring are generally not accepted as relevant employment for this occupation.
Urban and Regional Planner may also establish their own private practice or be self-employed. Please refer to ‘Supporting Material for Assessment’ for documentation requirements relating to self-employed applicants.
Supporting material for assessment
When applying for a Skills Assessment, please ensure you submit sufficient evidence supporting proof of identity, qualification and employment claims. A full list of the documents required can be found on the VETASSESS website under Eligibility Criteria.
If you are nominating this occupation, and you are self employed, you are required to provide the following:
- Evidence of self-employment such as sole trading or business registration details and / or official statements issued by your (registered) accountant and / or legal team. The statement from your accountant or solicitor must include the accountant’s or solicitor’s letterhead, your full name, how long you have been continuously self-employed including official dates in each role, the nature of the business conducted, the signature and contact details of the accountant or solicitor.
- Statutory declaration listing your main duties during self-employment;
- Payment evidence showing regular income from self-employment, such as client invoices together with corresponding bank statements and / or official taxation records;
- Supplementary evidence, such as contracts with clients or suppliers, client testimonials, evidence of projects completed, etc.
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