How to become an urban or regional planner
Design and implement plans and advice for urban and rural land use, considering environmental, economic, and social factors.
What does an urban or regional planner do?
Urban planners create communities in metropolitan areas. Regional or rural planners work to ensure sustainable use of large, less populated areas of land. Planners must have a good knowledge of spatial areas, in addition to understanding how construction factors influence layout and design.
Duties and tasks
Act as specialist in project and building plans, presenting assessments and plans and offering advice and resolving disputes when needed.
Analyse information on particular land from various fields and organisations on legislative material, socioeconomic factors, and environmental, cultural and demographic information.
Assess environmental impact reports as well as complaints or concerns from community groups and organisations.
Consult all relevant individuals, organisations, and stakeholders in urban or regional area to gain perspective on all factors influencing planning process.
Develop, assess, and recommend appropriate development of land and areas, designing prospective plans for areas and projects.
Evaluate client objectives and budgetary limits for land development to create appropriate designs and plans.
Research building codes, zoning areas, and regulations and legislative aspects of planning.
Industry bodies
Related jobs
Environmental planner
Town planner
Discover related degrees
Graduate Certificate in Urban Planning
PostgraduateUOQ-URP-GCE
Theory and practice for sustainable planning
Develop the skills to make environmentally, socially and economically sustainable planning decisions. You’ll learn from some of Australia’s leading planning practitioners. Graduate job-ready for planning roles or keep studying for your masters.
- Study method
- 100% online
Graduate Diploma in Urban Planning
PostgraduateUOQ-URP-GDI
Extend your planning skills and expertise
Make planning decisions that are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. You’ll explore citymaking, regulatory frameworks, and community participation. Choose electives to focus your planning career. Graduate job-ready or pursue your masters.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
Master of Urban and Regional Planning
PostgraduateCUR-URP-MAS
Fully accredited by the national professional body for planners, the Planning Institute of Australia
Become an expert in planning theory, law and practice. Understand land development, ethics of practice and the development of plans that serve the needs of government agencies and communities. Find a career as a planner in the private and public sectors.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- Approx. 1.5 years full time or part time equivalent
Graduate Certificate in Development Planning
PostgraduateCUR-URP-GCE
Help to plan better futures
Examine social and economic planning theories, laws and trends and the importance of an integrated approach. Study land development processes, environmental factors and the implications for community sustainability within a governance framework.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Duration
- 6 months full time or part time equivalent
Discover related subjects
Planning for Land Use and Built Form
UndergraduateUNE-GEPL124
- Study method
- 100% online
- Start dates
- Starts 19 Oct 2026
UndergraduateUNE-GEPL122
- Study method
- 100% online
- Start dates
- Starts 22 Jun 2026
PostgraduateTAS-KGA703
- Study method
- 100% online
- Start dates
- Starts 6 Jul 2026
UndergraduateCUR-GPH330
- Study method
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
- Start dates
- Starts 1 Dec 2025, 30 Nov 2026
Next enrolment closes 23 Nov
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