The Work

Surveyors Australia is committed to industry research to provide insights for the profession and regularly conducts Hourly Rate and Salary Surveys as part of its member benefits and advocacy efforts. These surveys provide an overview of the working environment and compensation trends within the surveying industry. The insights gained from these surveys are crucial for members and employers to benchmark their compensation strategies, understand employment trends, and inform workforce planning.

Surveyors Australia has been conducting the Hourly Rate and Business and Remuneration Surveys for over 12 years, and since 2020 Survey Matters has been commissioned to run these surveys on their behalf.

Our Approach

Survey Matters collaborated closely with Surveyors Australia to review and execute the Hourly Rate and Business and Remuneration Surveys. These surveys are conducted annually and biennially, respectively, and involve detailed questionnaires that capture a wide range of data points relevant to the surveying industry.

The Hourly Rate Survey examines firm income for the financial year, workforce size, business structure, risk management and business processes. It also examines hourly rates charged for various positions, rates charged for ancillary equipment such as scanners and drones, and other pertinent information related to chargeable rates and quoting. This survey covers rates charged for over 20 positions or roles and provides detailed information using average and median rates, as well as comparisons to previous survey waves.

The Buiness and Remuneration Survey examines firm income, services offered, employment levels and the financial outlook for the next financial year. It also examines detailed salaries across 24 different industry positions and compares the employee benefits and workplace strategies at different firms across the country.

Both 2023 surveys had strong participation from surveyor firms across Australia, providing a rich dataset with nuanced figures for regional and metropolitan locations. The resulting report features detailed tables and graphs, as well as comparisons to previous survey waves, offering valuable insights for business and operational decisions.

Outcome

The Hourly Rate and Business and Remuneration Surveys have provided Surveyors Australia with a comprehensive evidence base for advocacy and member support.  Offering aggregated, state and regional level data, the Hourly Rate Survey helps members benchmark their business practices and hourly rates against other firms, particularly during times of high inflation and economic turbulence.

The 2023 Business and Remuneration Survey highlighted key market and salary trends, providing members with insights into workforce arrangements across the industry. This data aids members in understanding how their peers are dealing with current operating and labour market conditions and is an important member benefit offered by Surveyors Australia.

By providing detailed, data-driven insights, these surveys empower Surveyors Australia members to make informed decisions about compensation strategies, workforce planning, and business operations. The collaboration with Survey Matters has ensured high-quality data collection and analysis, reinforcing the value of these surveys for the surveying profession.