What Is A Surveyor?


Surveyors are experts at measurement. They are also skilled in analysing and presenting information about the land, and structures on it.

Surveyors use these skills to carry out work such as determining property boundaries, preparing contour maps or setting out the location of roads and buildings.

In order to protect the public by ensuring surveys are carried out in a professional and competent way, the Surveyors Board of Queensland keeps a Register of Surveyors who have been assessed as competent. Registered surveyors are required to adhere to a Code Of Practice.

Below is a more technical list of the types of work that surveyors do:


Surveying activities

The International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) defines a surveyor as a professional person with the qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience to:
 - practise the science of measurement
 - assemble and assess land and geographic related information
 - use that information for the purpose of planning and implementing the efficient administration of the land, the sea and structures thereon
 - instigate the advancement and development of such practices.

The practice of surveying in Australia may involve, but is not limited to the following activities. These may occur on, above or below the surface of the land, or the sea, and may be carried out in association with other professionals. In application of the these activities, surveyors take into account the relevant ethical, legal, financial, environmental and social aspects affecting each project.    


These activities include:
 1. Acquiring, interpreting and manipulating geodetic data to determine the shape and size of the earth and its surface.
 2. Designing, establishing and managing the spatial infrastructure and fundamental data sets needed to support economic development and environmental management at a local, regional, state or national level.
 3. Maintaining a spatial infrastructure, as required, to support an effective cadastre and efficient land tenure systems that meet real estate market requirements.
 4. Determining, locating and defining the boundaries of public and private land (including national boundaries), interpreting anomalies in the cadastre, and arbitrating on disputes over boundary location.
 5. Designing, establishing and managing spatial reference systems to provide a homogeneous framework for geographic and land information systems.
 6. Collecting, analysing and managing geographic data and designing, establishing and administering land and geographic information systems.
 7. Measuring, controlling and monitoring the shape, size and location of physical features, structures, machines and engineering works and determining their spatial relationships.
 8. Measuring and mapping seabeds, lakes and waterways; measuring tidal movements and current flows; providing information for navigation and maritime developments.
 9. Providing information and advice, pertinent to property and its environment, to assist in determining the best sustainable land use and development.
 10. Assessing the potential benefits or disadvantages that could accrue from property development and advising clients and government accordingly.
 11. Contributing to the development and management of urban and rural properties by planning, advising, negotiating, and implementing procedures.
 12. Planning, estimating, designing, measuring, and implementing projects such as construction works, mineral exploration, and mining; and applying prudent financial control and sound project management principles.
 13. Producing for clients, plans, maps, files, data bases, models, charts and reports.
 14. Advancing the science of measurement; the management and administration of land and land information; the effectiveness of surveying; and the assessment, management, and introduction of new concepts such as geomatics and geoinfomatics.