Explore career options in architecture
Here you can find information on career pathways and employment roles study in the field of architectural design and architecture may land you.
You can also discover where to look for job vacancies, as well as professional associations, mentoring and international opportunities.
Opportunities
Griffith's Bachelor of Architectural Design will set you on the path to a career as an architect. Graduates will be eligible to apply for admission into the Master of Architecture.
Architectural design is a multidisciplinary field focused on the conceptualisation, planning, and creation of buildings, structures and spaces. It merges art, science, and technology to produce functional, aesthetic, and sustainable environments. As an architectural designer, you will be qualified to assist architects and other built environment professionals in the design, documentation and procurement of buildings.
Career pathways can be found in a broad spectrum of creative roles in government agencies, statutory bodies, design practices and studios (urban design, architecture, interior design, virtual environments, set design for film/theatre, event and exhibition design), commercial development companies, building product manufacturing and distribution companies and research organisations.
With a Master of Architecture you will be prepared to work as an architect in private practice, consulting firms and in local and state government. You may want to specialise your skills in a specific building type, building design or construction procurement with further research or study in urban design.
Career fields
- Architectural firms
- Virtual environment design
- Urban design
- Landscape architecture
- Local authorities
- State and local government
- Construction companies
- Event and exhibition design
- Urban and regional planning
- Heritage sector
- Project management
- Product design
- Document control
- Property development
- Commercial and residential construction
- Environmental consulting
Employment roles
- Architect*
- Urban designer
- Interior designer
- Planning officer
- Technical designer
- Project planner
- Construction manager
- Property developer
- Architectural technician
- Building designer
- Graduate product designer
- Studio project manager
- Landscape architect*
- Technical draftsperson
- Document controller
*Denotes further study at postgraduate level likely to be required.
Occupation snapshot
Employed
19,300
Future demand
Strong
Weekly earnings
$1,472
Part-time share
19%
This data is based on the occupation profile for architects retrieved from the Government's Jobs and Skills Australia and YourCareer websites August 2024.
Your employability
In addition to knowledge and skills directly related to your program of study, you will also develop a range of other skills such as teamwork, analytical, communication through academic study, employment, voluntary work, sporting and recreational activities and life experience.
Recognising the value employers place on these skills is an important factor in your graduate job search. You can further develop your employability with these resources:
Vacancies
Information on relevant vacancies and career resources can be found in a wide range of sources:
- CareerHub
- Prosple (formerly Grad Australia)
- GradConnection
- Australian Public Service Jobs
- Brisbane City Council vacancies
- Australian Local Government Directory
- Queensland Government jobs
- Queensland Government Graduate Portal
- Seek
- Australian architecture job board
- Adzuna architecture vacancies
- Careers in Design
- Hays architecture jobs
- Morgan Consulting
- Seek architecture jobs
- Architects Accreditation Council of Australia
Notable alumnus: Andrew Brewer
Andrew Brewer, a Griffith University graduate with a Bachelor of Environmental Design and a Master of Architecture, has rapidly advanced to become an Associate Director at Burling Brown on the Gold Coast within six years. His career success is rooted in his Griffith education, which provided personalized mentorship and opportunities that fueled his passion for architecture, including an influential exchange program in Denmark.
Job application resources
Craft a stand-out resume and cover letter, and learn how to prepare for job interviews.
Approach potential employers
Many work opportunities are not advertised, so we recommend approaching potential employers with the aim of researching their needs and how your skills, experience, interests and qualifications could match theirs.
This is called informational interviewing and will benefit you by:
- clarifying your specific career direction
- enhancing your professional network
- increasing your chances of being offered a job.
Industry outlook
The Your Career website includes helpful information such as job descriptions, employment prospects, average weekly earnings and skills requirements. Every job title in the database has a skills section to help you identify and describe essential skills for your future career.
The My Future website also has job descriptions and a useful career insight section.
The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching website has up-to-date information on graduate salaries, especially the Graduate Outlook Survey (GOS) National Report, which contains undergraduate salary figures.
More detailed information is available at the Labour Market Insights portal.
Professional associations
Joining a professional association is a great way to interact with people in your field who can assist you to explore your career options and potentially find employment opportunities. These associations hold regular professional development and networking events:
- Australian Institute of Architects
- Student Organised Network for Architecture
- Australian of Consulting Architects Australia
- Professionals Architects Australia
- Design Institute of Australia
Students are welcome to join and often receive a discount on their membership.
Industry vision in action
Griffith School of Engineering and Built Environment students have reimagined the real-life Kangaroo Point Green Bridge project for an intense 12-week design challenge to turn their idea into something that could be constructed.
More than 70 Bachelor of Architectural Design students created and communicated their vision to guest judges from Archipelago Architects, KIRK, COX Architects, the firm which worked on the actual project and Brisbane City Council.
Mentoring
The award-winning Industry Mentoring Program provides an excellent opportunity to further develop your employability and build professional networks.
The program is available to students with more than 80CP as well as recent graduates.
Sustainable Development Goals
Griffith University is aligned with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) and is committed to fostering quality education and a more equitable and just society, where everyone has a chance to thrive while fostering partnerships for the goals.
Further careers information
Careers counselling
Individual career counselling sessions are available to all current students and recent graduates.
You can book an initial appointment via CareerHub.
Career planning
Our website has an array of career planning resources you can explore at any stage of your student journey.
Career Readiness
Check out our Career Readiness site in Learning@Griffith for additional information and resources for your career development learning:
Similar career options
Please note: The content on this webpage is a guide only. Please refer to degree-specific information and accreditation requirements of your profession on the Degree and Course Finder website and with the relevant professional accreditation body for your degree.