Members may have seen correspondence from the CFMEU – Victoria/Tasmania Branch advising that it will no longer seek to represent surveyors, effective February 2026, including the cessation of membership deductions and the refunding of fees where applicable.

It is important to clarify the context and significance of this announcement.

Clarifying the position

The CFMEU has never been the recognised professional representative body for surveyors. Surveying is a regulated profession requiring formal qualifications, supervised training, professional accountability or certification.

In recent years, the CFMEU sought to assert industrial coverage for some surveying roles associated with construction activity. This position was not supported across the profession, and the CFMEU’s correspondence should be understood as a withdrawal from that attempted coverage position.

Three years of sustained advocacy

This outcome follows more than three years of sustained and coordinated advocacy led jointly by Surveyors Australia and Consulting Surveyors Victoria (CSV) and pursued in close partnership.

While the issue emerged in Victoria, it carried national significance. How surveyors are classified and recognised has direct implications for professional identity, workforce structure and market positioning across Australia.

Throughout this period, CSV consistently advocated that:

- Surveying is a professional discipline requiring qualifications and structured professional development
- Surveyors hold defined responsibilities that are relied upon to underpin land tenure, planning, infrastructure delivery and public confidence
- Clear professional recognition is essential to the integrity of the built environment

CSV President Michael Degg said:

“This outcome reinforces what our profession and the community have long understood. Surveyors are highly qualified or credentialled professionals with a distinct and critical role in the built environment. CSV has been clear and consistent in advocating for that recognition, and working closely with Surveyors Australia ensured this Victorian issue was addressed with national consistency and authority.”

Why this matters

This development reinforces the professional standing of surveyors alongside other recognised professions operating within the built environment, including engineers, architects, town planners and allied infrastructure professionals.

Maintaining clear professional recognition supports:

- professional independence and integrity

- appropriate remuneration and career pathways

- confidence from government, clients and the community

A coordinated Victorian–national response

CSV’s advocacy was strengthened through close collaboration with Surveyors Australia, ensuring a consistent national message and a clear professional framework.

Together, CSV and Surveyors Australia have continued to strengthen the profession through national certification pathways, improved occupational recognition and role clarity, and targeted professional development and workforce support.

Looking ahead

This development marks the resolution of a complex issue and highlights the value of strong, coordinated advocacy delivered by professional bodies that understand the profession and its operating environment.

More information and advice to members will be forthcoming regarding current workplace agreements and workplace relations.

CSV remains committed to advocating for surveying businesses and protecting the professional standing of surveyors, working in partnership with Surveyors Australia to ensure the profession remains recognised, respected and appropriately positioned in Victoria and nationally.
For further information, contact CSV CEO James Fitzpatrick at james@acsv.com.au.