Cartographer

Duties

Published for unit group 2322 Surveyors and Spatial Scientists

• determining the position of points of interest on the earth's surface including marine floors, and preparing the final product data in digital form
• supervising the preparation of plans, maps, charts and drawings to give pictorial representations and managing spatial information systems
• undertaking research and development of surveying and photogrammetric measurement systems, cadastral systems and land information systems
• planning and designing land subdivision projects and negotiating details with local governments and other authorities
• advising Architects, Engineering Professionals, environmental and other scientists or other relevant professionals on the technical requirements of surveying, mapping and spatial information systems
• compiling and evaluating data, interpreting codes of practice, and writing reports concerning survey measurement, land use and tenure
• preparing site plans and survey reports required for conveyancing and land ownership matters
• evaluating, compiling and maintaining spatial information using a range of digital and graphical source materials, including aerial photographs, satellite imagery, survey documents, existing maps and records, historical data, reports and statistics
• analysing and interpreting data to design maps, graphs, plans, drawings and three-dimensional models using geographic information and related systems
• developing and trialling new applications for use in geographic information systems
• supervising and coordinating the work of Surveying or Spatial Science Technicians in the production and reproduction of geographic products

This is what the occupation is, not what a skills assessment requires. The assessing body applies its own criteria on top of this, and those criteria are not published here. Check them with the body itself.

Who assesses this occupation

Last confirmed against the department's list on 30 July 2026.

This occupation reads differently for the 186 and 482

Two editions of ANZSCO are current at once, and the department applies ANZSCO 2022 to the employer sponsored visas while everything above follows ANZSCO 2013.

The definition is identical in both editions, but the published duties are not:

• determining the position of points of interest on the earth's surface including marine floors, and preparing the final product data in digital form
• supervising the preparation of plans, maps, charts and drawings, to give pictorial representations and managing spatial information systems
• undertaking research and development of surveying and photogrammetric measurement systems, cadastral systems and land information systems
• planning and designing land subdivision projects and negotiating details with local governments and other authorities
• advising Architects, Engineering Professionals, environmental and other scientists or other relevant professionals on the technical requirements of surveying, mapping, and spatial information systems
• compiling and evaluating data, interpreting codes of practice, and writing reports concerning survey measurement, land use and tenure
• preparing site plans and survey reports required for conveyancing and land ownership matters
• evaluating, compiling and maintaining spatial information using a range of digital and graphical source materials, including aerial photographs, satellite imagery, survey documents, existing maps and records, historical data, reports and statistics
• analysing and interpreting data to design maps, graphs, plans, drawings, and three-dimensional models using geographic information and related systems
• developing and trialling new applications for use in geographic information systems
• supervising and coordinating the work of Surveying or Spatial Science Technicians in the production and reproduction of geographic products

If you are going for a 186 or a 482, this is the wording that governs you. Everything above governs the points tested routes.

Where this comes from

Definition and duties: Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO
Assessing authorities and skilled lists: Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation list

Vizard is not a registered migration agent and nothing here is migration advice. It is published government information, organised. For advice on your own situation, speak to a registered migration agent.