What is construction and property management?

Do you want to be in charge of bringing ambitious architectural and engineering projects to life?

Studying construction management and property will teach you the skills to lead complex construction projects from start to finish and transform spaces and places throughout the world.

What does a career in construction management and property involve?

Careers in construction management and property cover a broad range of roles in the construction and property industries, including construction site and project management, quantity surveyors and property developers. These roles manage the construction of residential and commercial buildings and civil engineering projects, making sure they’re completed on time and on budget.

People who work in construction management and property can work on-site or off, and no two days are the same. Their jobs can include consulting with architects and engineers, interpreting architectural drawings and documents, estimating and coordinating the resources needed to complete a project, and ensuring projects meet building safety requirements and environmental standards.

The varied nature of these roles means a deep understanding of construction and property economics and management skills is essential for success. This means a formal qualification – combined with practical experience – is essential if you want to hit the ground running.

Jobs in construction management and property

The Australian construction industry is booming: it makes up 9% of the country’s GDP and employs 1 in 10 people in Australia. On top of that, job growth in the sector is predicted to increase by 10.2% by 2026 – making it a future-proof industry where graduates are in high demand.

Career opportunities for people with a Bachelor of Construction Management and Property include:

Construction/site/project manager
Property developer
Property valuer
Property and asset manager or analyst
Quantity surveyor
Estimator
Construction planner
Corporate real estate adviser

What will you learn in a Bachelor of Construction Management and Property?

A Bachelor of Construction Management and Property will teach you everything you need to know about property development, construction projects and sites, and quantity surveying in order to thrive in the construction industry.

You’ll come away with a solid understanding of the technology and processes used across the sector and develop strong economics and management skills. These include human resources, organisational behaviour, risk management, and ethical and environmentally responsible approaches to construction.

It’s not just theory, either: you’ll also get hands-on experience creating, developing and implementing projects from concept to completion.

By the end of your degree, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to manage construction projects in Australia and around the world. You’ll also be eligible to join The Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors when you graduate, as long as you’ve met the work experience requirements.

Average salaries in construction management and property?

Many career paths in the construction management and property sector have high earning potential. The average annual salary for a construction manager in Australia is $175,000 according to Seek, while construction project managers make an average of $140,000 a year. A typical annual salary for a quantity surveyor in Australia is $125,000, and $95,000 for an estimator.

Why study construction and property management at UNSW?

UNSW’s three-year Bachelor of Construction Management and Property is one of Australia’s most respected in its field. We’re ranked top 40 in the world for Architecture & Built Environment according to QS World Subject Rankings 2024.

When you study a Bachelor of Construction Management and Property at UNSW, you'll get the practical and professional skills you need to thrive in the construction and property industry. You’ll be part of the diverse Arts, Design & Architecture community and benefit from the School of Built Environment’s strong ties to the industry, partnerships, and connections to world-class alumni.

UNSW also offers postgraduate study options for graduates looking to deepen their skills, including a Master of Construction Project Management and a Master of Property and Development.