29 April 2025
With Australians heading to the polls this Saturday, the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) is urging the next federal government to take urgent action on the growing shortage of urban and regional planners – a hidden risk to Australia's housing, infrastructure, and climate resilience goals.
A new survey of more than 1,000 planners across Australia, released today by PIA, reveals the shortage of planners is now widespread:
- Nearly two-thirds (64.16%) of respondents said their organisation had struggled to fill planning roles in the past 12 months.
- A lack of qualified candidates was the number one barrier to recruitment, cited by 51.25% of respondents. Despite this, 13 Australian universities have closed their planning degrees over the last eight years.
- Half of planners surveyed (49.25%) believe the shortage is directly affecting Australia’s housing supply and affordability.
"This survey confirms what planners have been warning for some time — Australia is facing a critical shortage of planners, just as their expertise is needed more than ever," said PIA CEO Matt Collins.
“The data reveals the clear impact of this shortage, with planners reporting continually increasing workloads, delays to strategic planning projects as well as assessments, and the need to hire staff with less experience than desired for the role.”
“This is deeply concerning because our planning systems can’t perform effectively without a strong planning workforce. This underpins well-planned housing, coordinated infrastructure, and climate-resilient communities. Without good planning at the front end, housing projects risk becoming slower and costlier."
Jobs and Skills Australia has also listed Urban and Regional Planners as being in national shortage in its most recent Occupation Shortage List, reinforcing the urgency for government action.
Ahead of the federal election, PIA is calling for the next Australian Government to invest in rebuilding the nation’s planning workforce by:
- Funding scholarships for fee-free places in accredited planning degrees.
- Supporting PIA’s ‘Become a Planner’ campaign to promote planning as a career choice.
"Australia cannot deliver more housing, better infrastructure, or sustainable growth without planners to lead the way. We need a clear, national strategy to grow and sustain the planning workforce — starting with investment in skills, education, and career pathways. The shortage of planners is a national challenge, and it demands a national solution,” Mr Collins said.
Resources:
About the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)
The Planning Institute of Australia is the national body representing the planning profession, dedicated to advancing planning and supporting the professional development of planners.
www.planning.org.au
For further information, please contact:
Matt Collins MPIA
Chief Executive Officer
Planning Institute Australia
0437 938 077
[email protected] |
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