Civil Engineers in the UK and Ireland : Pack your bags and head Down Under for more sun and great job opportunities!

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Tired of battling grey skies and cold weather? If you’re a civil engineer in the UK or Ireland, there’s a brighter option waiting for you in Australia or New Zealand.

Grey skies, endless rain, and short days might be settling in at home, but for civil engineers there’s an exciting alternative: Australia and New Zealand. Both countries are in the middle of an infrastructure boom, with billions being invested in highways, rail, water, energy, and mining projects. Skilled engineers are in high demand — and it’s easier than you think to make the move.

Why Head Down Under?

Job opportunities in New Zealand

New Zealand is facing a serious engineering shortfall — around 2,300 new engineers are needed every year just to meet demand. And the problem is getting worse. New Zealand’s infrastructure pipeline is growing – from transport and water projects to earthquake strengthening and energy upgrades. But the number of local engineering graduates simply hasn’t kept pace. Fewer students are choosing STEM subjects in school, and even fewer are making it all the way through to graduate as civil engineers.

And that’s not the only challenge. Many engineers who do graduate leave the profession early, while a large portion of the existing workforce is heading towards retirement. That means demand for fresh talent is growing faster than the country can train people.

For British and Irish engineers, this is a golden opportunity. While the UK winter is setting in, New Zealand is heading into summer — and employers are looking overseas to fill roles right now.

Job opportunities in Australia

Also in Australia, the demand for civil engineers isn’t going away anytime soon. With hundreds of billions in public infrastructure planned over the next decade, plus the ongoing shift toward sustainable energy and smarter cities, the role of civil engineers is more important than ever.

Major current and upcoming civil infrastructure projects across Australia

  • Sydney Metro Projects: Australia’s largest public transport initiative, encompassing the Metro Northwest, City & Southwest, and Metro West lines. The Metro West project alone is estimated at $27 billion, aiming for completion by 2033.
  • North East Link: A $26.1 billion tollway project connecting the M80 Ring Road to the Eastern Freeway, with completion anticipated in late 2028.
  • Metro Tunnel: A $12.8 billion underground rail project featuring twin 9km tunnels and five new stations, scheduled to open in 2025.
  • Suburban Rail Loop (SRL): An ambitious $50 billion project to create a 90km orbital rail line around Melbourne, with the first stage (SRL East) underway and expected to be operational by 2035.
  • Cross River Rail: A $5.4 billion project delivering a 10.2km rail line through Brisbane, including a 5.9km tunnel under the Brisbane River and CBD, expected to be completed by 2026.
  • Coomera Connector (Stage 1): A $2.1 billion, 16km motorway project connecting Nerang to Coomera, with completion anticipated in late 2025.
  • CopperString 2032: A $13.9 billion transmission line project linking Townsville to Mount Isa, facilitating renewable energy integration and regional development.
  • Rockhampton Ring Road: A $1.9 billion project enhancing connectivity in Central Queensland, with construction milestones including the completion of the Lion Creek Bridge.
  • North-South Corridor (Torrens to Darlington): A significant road upgrade project, part of a broader $15.4 billion investment in South Australia’s infrastructure to improve connectivity and reduce congestion.
  • METRONET: A comprehensive public transport program with multiple projects, including the Morley-Ellenbrook Line and Thornlie-Cockburn Link, collectively valued at over $1.84 billion.
  • Inland Rail: A $31 billion freight rail project connecting Melbourne and Brisbane, enhancing the national freight network and expected to be completed by 2030-31.

Working Holiday – The Visa That Makes It Easy

The best part? It’s simple to get started. The Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 in Australia or Working Holiday Scheme in New Zealand) allows you to:

  • Live, work, and travel for 12 months or longer.
  • Take on roles that give you hands-on experience on multi-million-dollar projects.
  • Build your CV while exploring some of the most stunning landscapes in the world.

Applying is straightforward and can be done online — far less hassle than you might think.

In July 2023, the age limit for UK applicants coming to New Zealand went up from 30 to 35 years old, and the maximum length of time they can stay and work in NZ is now extended to 3 years. Find out more

From 1 July 2023, UK passport holders can apply for a Working Holiday visa between the ages of 18 and 35 years inclusive. Working Holiday visa holders can currently stay three years in Australia. This stay consists of three separate visas granted for 12 months each.

From 1 July 2024, UK passport holders can also be granted up to three separate Working Holiday visas without meeting any specified work requirements such as hospitality or farming. Find out more

Why Civil Engineers Should Take the Leap

Imagine working on a billion-dollar infrastructure project during the week and exploring the Great Barrier Reef or Milford Sound on the weekend. You’ll:

  • Gain international project experience that will make your CV stand out globally.
  • Expand your professional network by working with top-tier contractors.
  • Enjoy the freedom and adventure of travelling while progressing your career.

At ConsultANZ, we specialise in helping UK and Irish civil engineers make the move to Australia or New Zealand. Right now, we’re recruiting for multiple civil engineering roles across various projects.

Would you like to know more? Connect with Peter Laver on LinkedIn.

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