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If you’re a Civil Engineer looking for meaningful projects and a tropical lifestyle, Vanuatu is a brilliant option.
The country is closely connected to Australia and New Zealand – economically, culturally, and through decades of infrastructure cooperation – so you get the best of both worlds: island living with world-class project standards and support.
Below is a quick primer on the market, the lifestyle, what’s being built, and two live roles we’re hiring for now.
Why Vanuatu?
Vanuatu is an archipelagic nation of 83 islands, extending over 1,000 kilometres in a north-south direction between the equator and the tropic of Capricorn. It lies some 2,000 kilometres to the northeast of Brisbane in the Coral Sea, at similar latitude to Cairns in North Queensland. The population of Vanuatu is approximately 326,740 (2022).
The country sits on the cyclone belt and seismic zone, so engineers here develop valuable skills in resilience, reconstruction and coastal/maritime works – experience that’s sought after across the Pacific and in Australia/NZ.
One of the biggest advantages of working in Vanuatu is how close it is to Australia and New Zealand. The flight from Brisbane to Port Vila takes less than three hours, making it one of the quickest international trips you can take from Australia.
Travelling from New Zealand to Vanuatu is quick and straightforward, making it an appealing destination for Kiwi professionals. A direct flight from Auckland to Port Vila takes just over three hours, while flights from Wellington or Christchurch generally connect through Auckland and take around five to six hours in total.
With its convenient flight times and regular services operated by Air Vanuatu and Air New Zealand, Vanuatu feels surprisingly close — you can leave in the morning and be enjoying a sunset swim in the South Pacific the same day.
This short travel time makes it easy to stay connected with family and friends back home – or for them to visit you – while still enjoying the experience of living and working in a tropical island paradise.
There’s a friendly expat community: engineers, teachers, aid workers, and hospitality staff often organise BBQs, dive trips, or trivia nights.
Vanuatu lifestyle
Working in Vanuatu isn’t just about building wharves, bridges, or roads. It’s about enjoying life in one of the most beautiful island nations in the Pacific. Whether you’re based in Port Vila (Efate Island) or Luganville (Espiritu Santo), there’s plenty to do after work or on weekends.
In your spare time, you can unwind by swimming, snorkelling, or kayaking in the crystal-clear waters of Ekasup, Mele Bay, or Champagne Beach on Santo.
Weekends are perfect for island-hopping, with short flights or ferry rides to Tanna, Malekula, or Pentecost, each offering its own landscapes, traditions, and charm. Back in Port Vila, you’ll find a vibrant social scene with excellent waterfront bars and restaurants where locals, expats, and aid workers come together to relax and enjoy the tropical evenings.
What infrastructure is being built in Vanuatu?
Australia and New Zealand play a leading role in supporting infrastructure development in Vanuatu as part of their broader commitment to strengthening the Pacific region’s resilience, connectivity, and prosperity.
Both countries share close diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties with Vanuatu through the Pacific Islands Forum and have long recognised that reliable infrastructure is essential for sustainable growth across the islands.
Through initiatives such as Australia’s Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) and the Vanuatu–Australia Infrastructure Partnership, projects are being delivered to improve roads, ports, aviation, water, and energy systems, while also making them more resilient to cyclones, earthquakes, and rising sea levels.
Similarly, New Zealand contributes technical expertise and funding through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), supporting construction, maintenance, and capacity-building programs in collaboration with local agencies.
This ongoing partnership not only helps Vanuatu meet its development goals but also creates valuable opportunities for Australian and New Zealand engineers, project managers, and construction specialists to apply their skills in a region that truly values their expertise.
Infrastructure being built:
- Roads & bridges: all-weather island roads, culverts and river crossings to keep communities connected during wet seasons and cyclones.
- Ports & maritime: wharf refurbishments and coastal works supporting trade, tourism and inter-island ferries.
- Airports & runways: targeted upgrades (e.g., Norsup Airport access & drainage works) and resilience-focused aviation programs.
- Public & community assets: schools, embassies, health, policing and administrative buildings, often with seismic and cyclone-rated design.
- Digital & utilities: projects tied to connectivity and data resilience via regional financing facilities.
Live roles with ConsultANZ in Vanuatu
1. Operational Project Engineer — Permanent / Full-Time
Join a top-tier construction company with a strong Pacific footprint. You’ll support day-to-day site operations across building and civil packages: refurbishments, embassies, wharves, resorts and piling works.
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinate daily construction activities and site logistics
- Assist with planning, budgets and resource allocations
- Drive delivery to time, cost and quality
- Liaise with subcontractors, suppliers and PMs
- Maintain robust records and HSEQ documentation
Requirements
- Degree in Civil / Construction Management (or similar)
- Experience across building and/or civil infrastructure
- Calm, adaptable problem-solver in changing environments
- Clear communicator, strong organiser
- Pacific / remote experience advantageous
What’s on offer
- Permanent role, long-term pathways
- Varied, hands-on work across iconic Pacific projects
- Competitive salary and supportive team culture
Reach out to [email protected] to hear more about this opportunity.
2) Project Engineer – Estimation — Permanent / Full-Time
Join a respected civil contractor in Vanuatu with direct support from a New Zealand office. Ideal for engineers who enjoy pre-contracts and commercial work while staying close to delivery.
Main Duties
- Site visits, scope capture and accurate estimates
- Prepare subcontract/material inquiries; analyse quotes
- Lifecycle cost control and cost planning
- BoQ measurement and tender documentation
- Resource checks against the tender program
- Commercial advice to CM/PM/Senior Management
- Compile tender submissions and handovers
- Capture output/resource data to improve future bids
Requirements
- Tertiary qualification in Civil or related field
- 3+ years across civil/building; comfortable with multiple project types
- Estimating tools (Candy, Excel or similar)
- Solid grasp of construction methods and buildability
- Able to juggle multiple tenders or one large tender
- Professional communication across all stakeholders
- NZ or AU citizenship (visa required)
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Permanent role with growth across the Pacific
- Mentoring from NZ-based seniors
- Sea-view lifestyle while building your estimating career
Reach out to [email protected] to find out more.
* Please note that, due to Vanuatu’s current visa and work permit regulations, these positions are open only to Australian and New Zealand citizens. Candidates must hold a valid passport from either country to be eligible for consideration. This requirement helps streamline the visa approval process and ensures compliance with local employment laws for foreign professionals working in Vanuatu.
If you’re looking for more than just another construction job, but a lifestyle and career experience rolled into one, Vanuatu might be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
