According to the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), there is a critical shortage of urban and regional planners in almost every state and territory. This means one very important thing for prospective students: your skills will be in high demand before you even graduate.
The backbone of sustainable development
The shortfall of qualified planners has reached a point where state governments and local councils are collaborating with universities like the University of New England (UNE) to “grow their own” workforce. Planners are the backbone of sustainable development. They assess development proposals, determine land use and create the long-term strategic visions that address challenges such as housing affordability, infrastructure delivery and climate resilience.
Because the need is so urgent, the planning sector has built an incredibly strong culture of cadetships and traineeships.
“At UNE, we see this first-hand – many of our students are employed in the planning industry well before they complete their degrees. There are growing opportunities for students to study under cadetship models where employers pay your student fees and support you to study while you work as a planner,” said Coordinator of the Urban and Regional Planning courses at UNE, Dr Nicolette Larder.
The UNE difference: Built for the workplace
Each year, more planners graduate from UNE than just about any other Australian university. Why? Because we provide a flexible and supportive study environment, and connect students to industry both in the classroom (through guest lectures) and through external projects with industry partners.
Senior Lecturer in Urban and Regional Planning at UNE, Isara Khanjanasthiti, said Integrated Planning Practice projects are a hallmark of UNE’s planning program.
“These collaborations with industry partners to solve complex, real-world problems enrich the student learning experience. Students apply the knowledge accumulated throughout their coursework and develop industry networks and skills as they prepare for their future careers.”
Where could a degree in planning take you?
UNE has strong relationships with prospective employers. They appreciate that our flexible, online study model allows students to balance full-time work with high-quality education.
A career in planning offers a diverse range of pathways in both the public and private sectors, including:
- Local Government: Assessing development applications and shaping local community growth.
- State and Territory Government: Leading large-scale infrastructure projects and regional strategies.
- The Property Industry: Helping developers create sustainable, profitable and community-focused projects.
- Private Consultancy: Shaping development applications and providing expert advice on urban design, environmental impacts and planning law.
What skills will you gain at UNE?
A successful planner needs a mix of technical knowledge and “people skills”. Throughout your studies at UNE, you will develop:
- Data Interpretation: The ability to analyse complex maps, demographics, environmental data and economic systems.
- Strategic Thinking: The capacity to envision long-term goals and to design integrated solutions that anticipate future growth, population shifts and environmental changes.
- Advanced Communication: Skills to effectively mediate between stakeholders, councils and the community.
- Legal Proficiency: A holistic understanding of planning laws and evolving legislation and how to interpret and apply them.
- Problem-solving: The critical thinking skills needed to balance competing social, economic and environmental priorities.
Choose your path: Four industry-geared qualifications
At UNE, we don’t believe in a “one-size-fits-all” approach. We offer a suite of qualifications to suit you, regardless of where you are in your career:
- Undergraduate Diploma in Town Planning
- Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning
- Graduate Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning
- Master of Urban and Regional Planning
Students can complete the Undergraduate Certificate in as little as a year full-time and our Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning in the equivalent of 2.5 years full-time, which is almost half that of every other Australian university.
Study can be completed fully online, to balance a busy career or family life.
Take the lead in shaping Australia’s future
If you are looking for a career that offers strong employment prospects, professional variety and the chance to make a lasting impact on how we live, work and play, there has never been a better time to study planning.
Ready to join Australia’s leading planning educator? Find out more about our Urban and Regional Planning courses here.
