The Institution of Surveyors New South Wales is preparing to take over as the assessing authority for surveyors hoping to migrate to Australia.
The Institution of Surveyors New South Wales (ISNSW) was officially appointed as the new migration skills assessing authority for the ‘Surveyor occupation’ by the federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles, in October last year.
‘Surveyor occupation’ is a formal designation under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), with surveyors coming under ANZSCO 232212.
Overseas surveyors aiming to be assessed, must hold the equivalent of an Australian bachelor degree in surveying.
ANZSCO 232212 does not apply to other professions with ‘surveyor’ or ‘surveying’ in their title, such as quantity surveying, valuation or general practice surveying, and building surveying. Those occupations are assessed by other authorities.
Even though the ISNSW appointment was announced in October 2025, the organisation cannot begin undertaking assessments until the legislative instrument within the Migration Regulations 1994 is updated, the timeframe for which is still uncertain.
Out of the ashes
The appointment of the ISNSW came in the wake of the collapse of the Geospatial Council of Australia (GCA) — the previous official assessing authority — which was put into voluntary administration in May 2025, resulting in the immediate termination of migration skills assessments for the occupation.
After a long process, the GCA was finally liquidated in October 2025.
As the new authority, the ISNSW will undertake responsibility for evaluating the qualifications and professional experience of applicants seeking skilled migration pathways.
Although it cannot yet begin assessments, the ISNSW has begun preparations, including publishing comprehensive information on its website to assist prospective applicants in readying their documentation.
That information includes details of fees, application forms and an applicant handbook.
Individuals and migration agents can register to receive updates, and be notified as soon as assessments officially open again.
In a statement released on Friday, the ISNSW said that it has a “long-standing commitment to upholding professional standards, strengthening the surveying profession, and supporting Australia’s skilled migration program”.
“The organisation is well positioned to deliver rigorous, fair, and transparent skills assessments once the regulatory listing is finalised.
“ISNSW looks forward to undertaking this important responsibility on behalf of the profession and future surveyors seeking to contribute their expertise in Australia.”
