Civil engineers provide for people's needs, and are expert in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of facilities that contribute to modern life. They understand the way in which natural phenomena behave, including water and wind, and how buildings of all kinds are able to resist loads. They work with buildings, bridges, roads, harbours, dams, airports, coastal protection, water supply and public health. Civil engineers apply their theoretical knowledge to produce efficient and economic facilities that are aesthetically pleasing and satisfy society's needs. They have an aptitude for mathematics and physics and a desire to meet environmental and technological challenges. Students can study in the areas of structural engineering, hydraulic engineering, transportation engineering, geomechanics, hydrology and public health engineering, or management, construction and economics. Civil engineers provide expert financial and technical advice, and plan and coordinate projects from concepts through to completion.

Civil engineers mostly work for private industry, commonwealth, state and local government, for consulting engineering firms, construction companies, mining companies and research establishments. A career in civil engineering is likely to take you overseas. Within the private sector, consulting civil engineers are engaged to plan, design, manage and supervise works. They provide expert services to the client, advising financially and technically and undertaking the planning, coordination and technology of projects, often from first concepts through to completion. In the public sector, the state and federal government departments and authorities responsible for railways, roads, harbours, housing and construction, all employ civil engineers. City councils and regional shires also need the services of civil engineers.