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The essentials at a glance
You can study civil engineering in Australia from Nepal by joining a four-year bachelor of engineering after +2, or by starting with a diploma in civil construction design. This page explains the degree, diploma and master's routes, how Engineers Australia accreditation works, the entry and English scores, sample fees at UWA and TAFE NSW, and what jobs each route leads to.
Key takeaways
Main points from this page
- A four-year bachelor of engineering is the main route to working as a civil engineer after +2.
- Engineers Australia accredits engineering courses, and the accreditation decides how your degree is recognised for registration and skills assessment.
- The University of Western Australia asks for IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for its engineering degree.
- A diploma in civil construction design leads to draftsperson and site officer jobs, not to a professional engineer title.
- Maths and physics from +2 help most, because the first years use both.
Can You Study Civil Engineering in Australia After +2?
Yes, you can start civil engineering in Australia after +2, usually with a four-year bachelor’s degree.
Civil engineers plan and build roads, bridges, water systems and buildings. This guide is part of our study in Australia from Nepal series. It covers the degree, diploma and master’s routes and how Engineers Australia fits in.
If you are still choosing a level, read our courses in Australia page first. The bachelor’s degrees in Australia page explains how degrees are built.
- Bachelor of engineering (honours): four years at a university, with civil engineering as your major.
- Master’s in civil engineering: for students who already hold an engineering degree.
- Diploma in civil construction design: about 18 months at TAFE, for draftsperson and site roles.
- Regulator link: Engineers Australia accredits the courses and assesses engineers for skilled migration.
What Does Engineers Australia Accreditation Mean for Your Degree?
Engineers Australia checks engineering courses, and this decides how your degree is recognised.
It checks courses at three levels. Each level follows an international agreement. The top level is professional engineer, which follows the Washington Accord. You can read more on the Engineers Australia accreditation page.
Ask if your exact degree title is accredited. Provisional accreditation does not count for the Washington Accord pathway when you apply for a skills assessment. The migration skills assessment page has the rules.
If you studied an accredited degree offshore, you still give an IELTS or TOEFL iBT result.
Which Australian Providers Can You Look At for Civil Engineering?
Good places to start are UWA for the degree and TAFE NSW for the diploma.
UWA: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
Civil is a major in this four-year degree. UWA says the major is provisionally accredited. Ask for the current status. See our University of Western Australia profile and the civil engineering course page.
TAFE NSW: Diploma of Civil Construction Design
This 18-month diploma trains you for design and site support jobs. It is not an engineering degree. See our TAFE NSW profile and the course page.
What Do You Study in a Civil Engineering Degree?
You study maths and physics first, then the design of structures, soil, water and roads.
The first year builds your base in calculus and physics. Later years add subjects such as structures and materials. UWA says its civil engineering is a major inside the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), so you choose civil after you start.
Expect labs, group design projects and computer modelling. You will also write reports, so your English matters as much as your maths.
If maths is a weak subject for you, practise now. Strong algebra and graphs make the first two years much easier.
How Much Does Civil Engineering Cost in Australia?
The diploma at TAFE NSW costs about AUD 20,000 to 21,000 in total, and the engineering degree at UWA costs about AUD 56,200 a year.
These are the amounts on the providers’ pages. They change from year to year. Amounts here are in Australian dollars, so use our AUD to Rs forex converter for a current figure.
| Course | Length | International fee | In Nepali rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE NSW, Diploma of Civil Construction Design | 1.5 years | AUD 20,000 to 21,000 for the whole course | about Rs 18 to 19 lakh |
| UWA, Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) | 4 years | about AUD 56,200 a year | about Rs 51 lakh a year |
The UWA figure comes from its international fees browser. TAFE NSW adds AUD 300 to 1,000 for equipment and materials per course. For living and health cover, read our cost to study in Australia page and our scholarships in Australia page.
What Are the Entry and English Requirements for Civil Engineering?
You need a completed +2 with strong maths and physics, and an English score such as IELTS 6.5 for a degree.
UWA asks for a minimum overall IELTS of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0. Other universities set their own scores, so check each course page. Use our NEB GPA calculator to check your grade before comparing universities.
Science stream students with maths and physics have the easiest path. Students from other streams should ask the university in writing whether they can apply, or whether a bridging or foundation course is needed.
The student visa has its own English score, which is lower for most courses. Read our minimum IELTS and PTE for Australia blog and the student visa requirements page.
Should You Choose a Diploma or a Degree in Civil Engineering?
Choose the degree if you want to work as a civil engineer, and the diploma if you want design and site support work.
The TAFE NSW diploma lists jobs such as civil or structural draftsperson, designer para-professional, site officer and site manager. These are real jobs, but they are not professional engineer roles.
The four-year degree takes longer and costs more. It is the base for the engineer career and for a later master’s degree. Our diploma vs bachelor’s in Australia blog compares the two routes, and the diploma courses in Australia page lists more diplomas.
If you already hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, look at the master’s in Australia page. Check that the master’s program is accredited for the level you want.
What Jobs Can Civil Engineering Lead To?
Graduates can work as civil engineers, site engineers and structural designers on roads, water and building projects.
Employers include building firms and consulting companies. Some students later move into environmental work. Our environmental science courses in Australia guide explains that field.
Engineers Australia also assesses engineers for skilled migration. Read its page for the steps that apply to you.
Can You Work and Stay in Australia After a Civil Engineering Degree?
You can work part time while you study and apply for a Temporary Graduate visa after you finish, but permanent residence is not automatic.
While you study, you can work up to 48 hours a fortnight in session.
See the working hours in Australia page. After a degree, the Temporary Graduate visa usually lasts two to three years. A diploma on the skilled list gets up to 18 months. Our Australia 485 visa page explains the steps.
No course leads to permanent residence on its own. Read our PR courses in Australia page and the regional study in Australia guide to plan this honestly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, if you enjoy maths, physics and practical problem solving. The four-year degree is the main route to working as a civil engineer.
Yes. You can join a bachelor of engineering after +2, or begin with a diploma in civil construction design and decide on a degree later.
Engineers Australia checks that an engineering course meets set standards. Accredited degrees are recognised at professional engineer, technologist or associate level.
UWA asks for an overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Other universities set their own score, so check the course page.
No. The diploma leads to draftsperson and site roles. A professional engineer needs an accredited degree.
They help a lot, because the first years use both. If you did not study them, ask the university whether a bridging course is available.
No. No course leads to permanent residence on its own. Read the Home Affairs pages and our PR courses page for the rules.
How Can Goreto Help You Apply for Civil Engineering?
Goreto counselors help you pick an accredited course, check your marks and English score, and prepare your papers.
You can meet a counselor at our Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Itahari or Pokhara branch. Visit get in touch to find the nearest office.
Sources
Reference links
Disclaimer
Important guidance note
Fees, entry rules and accreditation status change, so confirm each detail on the official university, TAFE and Engineers Australia pages before you apply.
