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Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia: Top Universities, Eligibility , Fees and Eligibility

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Pragya Gupta • 12 Mins read • 29 Jul 25
Masters in Civil Engineering in AustraliaMasters in Civil Engineering in Australia

MS in Civil Engineering in Australia: Civil Engineering involves designing, construction, and maintenance of buildings, roads, bridges, canals, etc. Australia is a developed nation with an ever-increasing economy. This has seen a demand in the services of civil engineers who are fundamental in the infrastructure necessary to support development of the country.

Master of Civil Engineering in Australia is presented in a variety of ways as Master Engineering, Master Science, and Master Professional Engineering. Master in Civil Engineering in Australia is a technical degree program that takes 2 to 3 years.

Masters of civil engineering tuition fee in Australia is between AUD 30,750 and 52,000 annually. To gain entrance into the program, you must have a bachelor degree of 75% and IELTS of 6.5. Australian civil engineers have the opportunity of earning AUD 107,532 as a median salary in a year after completing the course.

Upon the completion of a Masters degree in Civil Engineering in Australia, you are in a place to find employment with leading recruiting agencies including AECOM, Lendlease, and Worley. You will be allowed to work under thrilling job titles such as Project Engineer, Structural Engineer, or Water Resources Engineer.


Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia: Highlights

A masters in civil engineering Australia provides you with postgraduate level design, analysis, and project-management expertise in the highest-quality research settings in the world. The universities in Australia are some of the best universities in engineering with practical co-op opportunities and modern laboratories.

Feature

Details

Duration

1–2 years (full‑time)

Top Universities

University of Melbourne, UNSW, University of Sydney, Monash, UQ

Average Tuition (per year)

AUD 30,750–52,000 (INR 18–32 L)

Intake Seasons

March, July, November

Delivery Mode

On‑campus, Accelerated, Professional Engineering pathways


Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia – Important Dates and Events

People pursuing Masters in Civil engineering in Australia need to be aware of the application deadlines (usually between July/August Semester 1, 2026), orientation week (Probably around February 2026) and classes commence (Early March 2026). RMIT University has particular dates of their programs. Also, it has industry specific conferences such as the IALCCE and IAALCCE held in Melbourne (15-19 July 2025) and IPWEA Conference held in Sydney (25-28 August 2025) as noted by Engineers Australia.

Application Start & End Dates for Top Universities

There are differing application deadlines regarding a masters civil engineering Australia depending on the term:

  • Application Opening Times: July/August 2025 ( Semester 1, 2026 ) is widely applied as an access time to the applications. Applications at RMIT University are open starting July 28th, 2025.
  • Orientation Week: This usually finds its way between the last week of February 2026, when classes do not start.
  • Semester 1 Classes: The classes will start at the beginning of March 2026.
  • Semester 2: It runs between July and November.

Industry Conferences:

  • IALCCE: (International Association for Life-Cycle Civil Engineering) in Melbourne, 15- 19 th July 2025.
  • IPWEA Conference: (International Public Works) in Sydney, August 25 28, 2025.
  • CAETS: (Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences) in Brisbane, September 8-11 2025.
  • Chemeca: In Adelaide, 28 – 30 September 2025.
  • International Astronautical Congress: In Sidney, September 29 – October 3, 2025.
  • ICAS: (International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences) in Sydney, 13-18 September, 2026.

These internships guarantee you meet masters civil engineering Australia admission deadlines for each session.

Visa Application Timeline

The Australian student visas need:

  • Apply: 8-12 weeks pre term start
  • Needed: Offer letter and GTE statement and financial evidence (no need of GIC)
  • Good recommendation: apply in January to start in March; in April to start in July; in August to start in November

Scholarship Deadline for 2025

Application deadlines of scholarships in Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia vary each year and depend on the university and scholarship type. Usually, the applications to the July intake open in October 2024 and will be closed by March or April 2025. In the February intake, the application period normally ends between October 2024 and November 2024.

  • UniSQ ( University of Southern Queensland):

Gives Trimesters which have deadlines: Trimester 1(Feb) - Feb 10; Trimester 2 (May/June) - May 26; Trimester 3 (Sept) - Sept 8.

  • QUT (Queensland University of technology):

Applications to the BMD Civil Engineering Scholarship close on Monday 30 June, at 11:59pm in 2025.

  • The University of Wollongong:

The deadline of the Autumn 2026 intake (applications open in 2025) is December 9, 2025, and the deadline of the Spring 2026 intake is May 5, 2026.

  • University of Queensland:

The deadline in Semester 2 is 31 May (July), and Semester 1 is 30 November of the previous year (Feb).

  • The University of Sydney:

The Master of Engineering (Civil Engineering) deadline is January 31 of the year of commencing.


Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia Fees

The expenses of undertaking MS in Civil Engineering in Australia will comprise two elements: the fee payment and living expenses.

Tuition Fees

In Australia, the cost of the MS in Civil Engineering tuition varies between AUD 41,000 to 55,000 i.e. INR 22.5 Lakhs to 30.1 Lakhs per year. The above table presents in detail the university wise annual tuition fees of masters in civil engineering in Australia:

University

Annual Tuition Fees (AUD)

Equivalent Fee (INR)

University of Melbourne

52,800

28.98 Lakhs

University of Sydney

50,500

27.72 Lakhs

University of New South Wales, Sydney

47,740

26.20 Lakhs

Monash University

55,500

30.46 Lakhs

University of Queensland

51,200

28.10 Lakhs

University of Western Australia

47,200

25.90 Lakhs

University of Adelaide

51,000

27.99 Lakhs

University of Technology Sydney

41,328

22.68 Lakhs

RMIT University

44,160

24.24 Lakhs


Cost of Living in Australia

Australia offers good quality education cheaper than in the UK and the USA. The monthly cost of living in Australia comes to an average of 3,500 AUD (1.88 lakhs INR).

Financial aid opportunities:

  • University scholarships (e.g., Melbourne Graduate Scholarship)
  • Government RTP scholarships
  • Private grants (Pinnacle, HEST)


Why Choose a Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia?

Some of the key considerations about a Master in Civil Engineering in Australia are as follows:

  • Strong Demand: Demand of civil engineers in Australia is increasing with the growth of infrastructure that leads to an 8.3 percent increase in employment in the coming five year time frame.
  • Worldwide Reputation: Universities such as UNSW, University of Melbourne and QUT are top universities in the world when it comes to engineering education and are guaranteed to be recognised by employers across the world.
  • Permanent Residency: A Master degree can enhance points to permanent residency that provides a long career prospect in Australia.
  • High ROI: The median salary of a civil engineer in Australia is approximately 105 thousand dollars a year.
  • Hands on experience: The programs provide hands-on practical training which improves the skill levels.
  • Quality Education: The Australian education system has a healthy reputation of being of high quality.
  • Work Opportunities: International students are allowed to work at most 20 hours in a week to supplement their courses of study.

Australia has a high standard of living but at a relatively low amount in comparison with the cost in the US or in the UK.

Also Read :

Other Popular Countries for Studying Masters in Civil Engineering



Masters in Civil Engineering in Germany

Masters in Civil Engineering in UK


Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia: Qualification

The requirements to pursue a Master in Civil Engineering in Australia are usually a relevant Bachelor with a good GPA accompanied by evidence of English proficiency. Relevant professional experience may also be considered though some universities may give you advanced standing subject to having certain qualifications such as degree accredited by Engineers Australia.

The admission process usually needs:

  • A 4 year Bachelor engineering (Civil) or like STEM course.
  • Aggregate 65% to 70 percent (depending on university)
  • English language: IELTS 6.5- 7(no sub band< 6) or TOEFL IBT 88 - 100

Having these fulfilled will make you meet base Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia Qualification requirements.


Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia: Eligibility Criteria – Category‑wise

Freshers vs Experienced

  • Straight entry is available to fresh graduates with bounded STEM degrees.
  • Graduates with more than 2 years experience may be eligible at advanced standing or research pathways as professionals.

Academic Performance

University Tier

Required %

Top tier (Melbourne, UNSW)

≥ 70–75%

Mid tier (Adelaide, UQ)

≥ 65%


Language Test Scores

Test

Minimum Score

IELTS

6.5 overall (no band < 6)

TOEFL iBT

88–100 total


Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia Application Process

  1. Research Universities:
  • Find universities where the Master of Civil Engineering program is taught and find out its exact requirements and application deadline. 
  1. Prepare Documents:

Get the following documents:

  • Academic records and certificates of degrees.
  • Test results in English language (IELTS or TOEFL).
  • Passport copy
  • Letters of recommendation (can be optional but in most cases they are encouraged).
  • A statement of purpose (SOP) that demonstrates your interest in your participation in the program and future intentions.
  • Any other document of the university.
  1. Apply Online:
  • To apply to the university, submit a filling in the online application portal. 
  1. Visa Application:
  • When approved, proceed to apply on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website to get an Australian student visa. 
  1. Pay Fees:
  • Submit the application fee and others.

SOP, LOR, and Resume

  • SOP: Highlight engineering works, research interests and commitment to masters in civil engineering Australia.
  • LORs: One should obtain them through an academic supervisor or industry mentor.
  • Resume: Internships and soft-ware capabilities (e.g. AutoCAD, SAP2000), publication should be highlighted in the resume.

University‑Specific Admission Steps

  • Melbourne: Web-based portal + additional form in regard to certain streams of research.
  • UNSW: Apply through myUNSW; it is advisable to apply as early as possible to some of the few quota streams.
  • Sydney: Needs certification of accredited undergraduate degree, combined with research proposal along with thesis choices.


Top Masters in Civil Engineering Entrance Exams for Australia

Given admission is based on previous degrees, important examinations include language ones.

IELTS/TOEFL Tips

  • IELTS: Learn academic modules; go for seven or your job is not safe
  • TOEFL iBT: Devotion to reading‑speaking mixed activities; target 95+


Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia Cutoff

IELTS/TOEFL Score Cutoffs

University

IELTS

TOEFL iBT

University of Melbourne

6.5 (≥ 6.0 bands)

88

UNSW

6.5 (≥ 7.0 bands)

90

University of Sydney

6.5 (≥ 7.0 bands)

90–100

Monash University

6.5 (≥ 6.0 bands)

88


Masters in Civil Engineering Seats in Australia

Seats in Public Universities

The number of international civil engineers accepted in most public universities is 100-200 per intake depending on the capacity of the campus.

Seats in Private Institutions

More applied and smaller cohorts (~50 seats) is provided in private and pathway colleges e.g. Torrens University.


Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia Syllabus

In Australia, a Master of Civil Engineering (MCE) normally includes advanced subjects in structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, water engineering, transport engineering and construction management. Students will take both fundamental courses in such fields and optional classes and possibly a research or project element. The course focuses more on the applied use of engineering principles in solving real-life engineering problems in complicated infrastructures.

Core Courses

  • Advanced Structural Analysis
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Water Resources Engineering
  • Project Management & Contracts
  • Sustainable Infrastructure

Electives & Specializations

  • Earthquake Engineering
  • Transportation Systems
  • Coastal Engineering
  • Environmental Impact Assessment
  • BIM & Digital Construction


Best Universities/Colleges for Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia

Public Universities

University

QS Global Rank

University of Melbourne

#23 worldwide

UNSW Sydney

#25 worldwide

University of Sydney

#28 worldwide

Monash University

#50 worldwide

University of Queensland (UQ)

#46 worldwide


Private Institutions

  • Torrens University
  • Bond University

Global Rankings for Indian Applicants

QS & THE place Melbourne, UNSW, Sydney ranks in the top 30 in the world engineering schools, and they are ideal options in being considered as master of engineering civil Australia universities.


Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia vs India

Factor

Australia

India

Cost

AUD 30–52K tuition + AUD 18–25K living/year

INR 1–4 L tuition + INR 2–5 L living

Curriculum

Research‑driven + industry co‑op

Theoretical + project work

Global Mobility

PGWP 2–3 years; PR pathways

Limited overseas pathways

Infrastructure Exposure

Mega‑projects (Sydney Metro, WestConnex)

Growing, but fewer mega‑projects


Career Scope After Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia

Management Consulting

Civil engineers switch into consultancy at companies such as Arup and McKinsey into infrastructure strategy.

Finance/Banking

Special project finance positions with infrastructure investment banks who include NAB and ANZ.

Entrepreneurship

Starting up in green buildings, smart cities or environmental clean up.


Top Recruiters/Placement Companies

  • Arup
  • AECOM
  • GHD
  • Lendlease
  • CPB Contractors
  • Aurecon


Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia Salary Package

In Australia, the average salary earnings of a Civil Engineer is 107,532 AUD annually (INR 59.03 lakhs). The following are some of the common job profiles that one wishes to follow with a masters in civil engineering in Australia and the salary that comes along with it-

Profession

Annual Average Salary (AUD)

Salary Equivalent for Indians (INR)

Civil Engineer

107,454

58.99 Lakhs

Industrial Engineer

85,743

47.07 Lakhs

Maintenance Engineer

100,212

55.02 Lakhs

Safety Engineer

125,506

68.90 Lakhs

Smart Home Engineer

108,591

59.62 Lakhs

Geotechnical Engineer

117,685

64.61 Lakhs


FAQs for Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia

Ques. Is a Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia worth it?

Ans. Australia is among the best key destinations to study abroad in Engineering programs. Pursuing a masters in civil engineering Australia offers fresh opportunities to the candidates because it guarantees employment in well-established companies at high salary. Students can easily secure many scholarship opportunities that can help them cut down on their cost of education in Australia and thus Australia offers cost effective study program with world class infrastructure to international students.

Ques. How much is tuition for Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia?

Ans. Master in civil engineering tuition fees in Australia is between INR 22.5 Lakhs to 30.1 Lakhs per year.

Ques. How long is a Masters in Civil Engineering Australia?

Ans. Master in civil engineering in Australia takes different duration depending on the university where one is pursuing it. In general, Masters in civil engineering may be completed within 2-3 years in Australia; however, in some universities, it is presented as a less time-consuming program with the term of 1.5 years. The time period of the part-time program in Australia is 4 years whereas the time period of the master course in civil engineering.

Ques. What is the earning potential of students following Masters in Civil engineering in Australia?

Ans. After graduation, masters in civil engineering Australia graduates get a salary range of AUD 85,000-125,000 AUD per annum.

Ques. Is it possible to have a job when completing a Masters in Civil Engineering in Australia?

Ans. As an international student, you can work part-time (up to 20 hours a fortnight) during your masters in civil engineering in Australia. The minimum wage to work in Australia is 23.23 AUD per hour. This fee amounts to 1,265 INR to an Indian student.

Ques. Is masters in civil engineering in Australia worth it?

Ans. Yes, studying Master of Civil Engineering (MSc) in Australia may prove to be a good investment because of a few reasons:

  • The infrastructure boom in Australia necessitates the need of skilled civil engineers. At the median, civil engineers make AUD 105,000 yearly in Australia.
  • Australian universities have always been on top of the world when it comes to engineering education. Masters degree obtained in a reputable university such as the University of Melbourne.