Typical Career Progression
| |
Position |
Remuneration |
Experience |
Education |
| Start Position |
Trainee Drafter |
$15,000-$25,000 |
Nil |
Certificate IV |
| 1st Promotion |
Junior Drafter |
$20,000-$30,000 |
2 years |
Certificate IV |
| 2nd Promotion |
Drafter |
$30,000-$40,000 |
5 years |
Certificate IV or Diploma |
| 3rd Promotion |
Senior Drafter |
$40,000-$65,000 |
8 years |
Certificate IV or Diploma |
| 4th Promotion |
Building Designer |
$55,000-$70,000 |
10 years |
Certificate IV or Diploma or Advanced Dip. or Degree |
| 5th Promotion |
Managing Building Designer |
$65,000-$100,000 |
10+ years |
Certificate IV or Diploma or Advanced Dip. or Degree |
**The above table is to be used as a guide only
Typical accountabilities and responsibilities
| Trainee Drafter |
Working under the direction of the senior drafting staff to prepare drawings for less complicated components. The work should be thoroughly checked prior to incorporation into other documentation. |
| Junior Drafter |
Working under the direction of the senior drafting staff to prepare drawings and carry out minor research into the design of components. The work should be thoroughly checked prior to incorporation into other documentation. |
| Drafter |
The drafter has more autonomy and prepares drawings for more complex components. You may be responsible for whole projects with some interaction with clients, the site, approval authorities, etc. Again, work should be thoroughly checked prior to incorporation into other documentation. |
| Senior Drafter |
The senior drafter will prepare documentation for entire projects of all complexities. You may be responsible for the overall management of the more junior staff and for the checking of work identified above. You will have interaction with clients, the site, approval authorities, etc. |
| Building Designer |
The building designer has acquired further design skills and will be responsible for the design and documentation of projects. You will interview clients, conduct site analysis, liaise with councils and consultants and manage the drafting staff. |
| Managing Building Designer |
The managing building designer will be responsible for all of the above and will ensure that quality standards will apply throughout the process. A practice manager will report directly to the practice owner or partners on all aspects of each project undertaken. |
**The above table is to be used as a guide only
Career Path & Employment opportunities
After gaining a few years of commercial experience, you can continue your studies and complete a Masters degree in a related field, thereby qualifying you to enter the workforce as an architect or design engineer. This is a common career path if your year 12 results are not high enough to gain entry to architecture.
Advancing in seniority as a draftsperson, your skills and salary increase. A hardworking draftsperson can be expected to double their income throughout their career. Specialised computer programs can make up for any weakness you may have in mathematics.
About the Author
Russell Brandon
Executive Officer
Building Designers Association of Australia Limited
The Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA) is the peak coordinating body for Building Designers Associations in Australia. BDAA is a proactive leader regarding issues of the built environment and the building industry. The association represents more than 2000 industry members across the nation. Members produce designs for residential, industrial and commercial projects.
Did you know that Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, the man who designed the Eiffel Tower, also designed the inner structure of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbour?