Introduction
Although on opposite sides of the world, the UK and Australian Civil engineering scenes still have plenty in common, particularly if you work for a Tier 1 contractor.
In this article, we will define the differences and provide a clear understanding of what to expect, whether you are transitioning from one country to another or simply starting your career in either. Our author has worked as a Site Engineer and Project Manager in both the UK and Australian major cities, so is well-experienced to provide an overview.
We will explore the pros & cons of the roles themselves and discuss the benefits of living in either country.
Overview
Before delving into the intricate differences between UK and Australian site engineers, I feel it’s worthwhile to give a brief overview of the differences.
I started my career working in the UK for a Tier 1 contractor, in London. Gaining experience in sectors like metro rail, commercial & residential construction, including high-rise and life sciences.
On reflection, the UK has a far greater focus on engineering compared to Australian roles. When I say engineering, I mean site-based checking, direct delivery, temporary works delivery, materials selection, determining methodologies, and quality testing. Within the companies I worked with, there were Principal Engineers who were career engineers. These colleagues had years of practical experience and were fantastic advisers and teachers. Something not so available in Australia.
Turning our view to Australia, Site engineers are expected to perform the role more of “Junior Package Managers.” A Site Engineer in Australia will also conduct far more administrative-type work compared to an engineer in the UK; this is closely tied to commercial and cost-tracking tasks. There are Engineering Manager roles in Australia, but the companies I have worked with so far don’t have the same focus on the importance of engineering in project delivery.
To be honest, I’m thankful that I started my career in the UK, as I’ve become a better engineer because of it.
Ok, now let’s get into some of the stark differences as well as some of the more nuanced ones.
Setting out / Surveying
Straight off the bat, there exists a stark difference between UK & Australian site engineers in that the engineer working in the UK will typically be responsible for setting out on site, and one in Australia won’t.
I spent the first three years of my UK engineering career setting out concrete structures, piles, and excavation levels. There is no doubt in my mind that this significantly benefited my learning. Day in and day out, I spent time interacting with the tradespeople on site, carpenters, steel fixers, concrete gangs, excavator operators, and their leaders. These interactions helped me understand how they built things and the logical sequence of work that they followed.
The typical setup in the UK involves Surveyors and Survey Managers who are responsible for establishing primary control. They also perform more advanced survey tasks, such as 3D scanning, monitoring, and maintaining all survey and control-related data for the project. The site engineers are then provided control and are responsible for setting out and conducting as-built surveys for construction works on site.
Another plus that came from setting out for yourself is that you have no choice but to study and understand your construction drawings. This resulted in you being well-equipped with information to share on site and aware of any materials to order that may be hidden in the finer details.
In comparison, Australia has dedicated surveyors for all set-out and surveying tasks. To become a registered surveyor in Australia, you will need to complete a 3 to 4-year degree and then spend anywhere from 2 to 5 years completing career reports that the Land Survey Licensing Board reviews.
In Australia, communication with the survey team is crucial for success. A sit-down to review the 4-week lookahead is vital to ensure the surveyors are aware of the construction and project priorities.
Commercial Involvement
As mentioned, UK engineers are left to do the engineering and won’t be involved in as many commercial activities.
When I immigrated to Australia, it became apparent that my commercial knowledge wasn’t as advanced as my Australian colleagues.
These tasks included updating cost trackers, sorting, and inputting day work dockets, providing material take-offs for forecasting purposes, and assisting the commercial team with variation and payment claims reviews.
Like anything else, these tasks can quickly be learnt, especially with help from an experienced Project engineer.
This commercial involvement is something to be aware of when starting as a site engineer in Australia.
Role Descriptions & Salaries
Role descriptions for site-based engineers vary between the UK and Australia. The best way to compare these is in the table format below.
It’s essential to understand the descriptions of equivalent roles before applying for a position or attending an interview.
| UK | Australia | |||
| Role | Salary GBP | Role | Salary AUD | |
| Graduate Engineer | £26k to £30k | Graduate Engineer | $70k to $90k | |
| Site Engineer | £30k to £38k | Site Engineer | $80k to $120k | |
| Section Engineer | £38k to £48k | Project Engineer | $120k to $160K | |
| Senior Engineer | £48k to £60k | |||
| Project Engineer | £60k to £75k | Senior Project Engineer | $160k to $220k | |
Salaries
Without a doubt, an engineer’s salary is far better in Australia compared to the UK. Even with an exchange rate of 2 AUD for 1 GBP, the Australian salaries excel when compared to the UK. This was one of the many attractions when I decided to move to Australia. I can also save far more while living in Australian cities. Of course, these salaries can vary depending on experience.
Employment-related benefits were better in the UK while I worked there, and this is still the case. The tier one contractor I was employed with provided a company car or car allowance, private health insurance, a travel allowance, overtime payment for weekends, and matched pension contributions.
Australian companies, on the other hand, don’t tend to offer these same perks. It’s typically a fixed salary plus superannuation. You may be fortunate and be offered a vehicle and fuel card if required for your role.
Work locations
The geographical expanse of Australia, along with sectors like resources and energy, means you may end up traveling, working DIDO or FIFO in your role. If this is the case, your employer will provide flights, accommodation and a food allowance and you will usually have to work a FIFO roster. This may be 2 weeks on and 1 off or 3 weeks on and 1 off.
Often, resources and mining sites are camp-based so you may end up living in a demountable building. Conditions and facilities vary from company to company, with many providing high-quality food, gyms and sports areas.
Saying this, all the work I have been involved with in Australia has been metro-based and I have been able to drive or get public transport to work. This has been driven by the sectors I have worked in – transport infrastructure.
When I lived in the UK most of my work locations were in the Greater London area, and whenever I did work away the company put me up in a hotel and I was able to travel home at the weekend. The only FIFO roles I have heard of in the UK are in the North Sean oil & gas sector.
Conclusion
Both countries are fantastic to live and work in but on reflection, I am delighted that I made the move to Australia. I have fond memories of London also and can’t deny that its nightlife and areas to explore are second to none. Given the opportunity, I would spend part of my career in both and decide where to settle when the time is right or a major project calls!
Read more about the Australian Civil Engineering Tier 1 Landscape here