{"id":28822,"date":"2025-07-31T12:14:32","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T04:14:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?post_type=advice&p=28822"},"modified":"2025-08-11T15:36:45","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T07:36:45","slug":"how-to-become-a-construction-manager-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/advice\/how-to-become-a-construction-manager-in-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"How to become a construction manager in Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you think about your latest work commute, you probably drove or cycled past at least one construction project. In WA for instance, recent construction projects include the Metronet train line, the Albany Ring Road, the Women and Babies Hospital, and the WACA cricket ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the helm of all these projects is a construction manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do constructions managers do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nathan Moore, a third-year Construction Management student at Curtin, explains the role succinctly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Construction managers are responsible for the successful delivery of construction projects. They help organise and supervise many different people to ensure progress, safety, quality and profitability during the building process,\u201d he says.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\"Nathan
Nathan Moore is a third-year construction management student at Curtin. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You could think of a construction manager like a film director or music conductor; they coordinate the scores of people it takes to create something at scale \u2013 and create it in the right way, at the right time and at the right cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you, like Nathan, \u201cenjoy making things and working with people\u201d, you could build yourself a successful career in construction management, starting with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management)<\/a> from Curtin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Construction manager job snapshot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What they do<\/strong>: Supervise the construction of buildings and infrastructure from start to finish and manage daily construction activities.
Top skills they need<\/strong>: Technical (knowledge of construction methods, materials and equipment), communication, analytical and problem solving, planning and scheduling, financial acumen, safety compliance.
Where they work<\/strong>: A blend of office and site work.
Annual salary in WA<\/strong>: $205\u2013225K (Seek<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Raised
Construction managers are responsible for the build component of large infrastructure projects, like the Metronet train line upgrade in Perth, WA. Photo: Lev, Adobe Stock Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How to become a construction manager<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1.      Study a degree in construction management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Construction management is a demanding job, so while you don\u2019t always need a degree to work as one, it gives you the skill level you need to perform well in the role. A degree is typically required if you want to undertake more senior or complex roles in construction management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Vasilios Papastamoulis is the course lead of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management)<\/a> at Curtin. He says the program readily prepares students for careers in construction management through its industry-relevant course content and work experience.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Dr
Dr Vasilios Papastamoulis.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

\u201cOne of the key strengths of our program is its high-quality curriculum, which is closely aligned with current industry practices. This alignment is achieved through close collaboration with our industry partners, including the Australian Institute of Building<\/a>, the Australian Institute of Quality Surveyors<\/a> and the Chartered Institute of Building<\/a>,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the construction management course, students can expect to learn:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technical skills<\/h4>\n\n\n\n