Types of Surveying

cadastral surveying, Engineering surveyor, land surveying, surveying, surveying jobs,

January 13, 2025

Whether it’s planning infrastructure, defining property lines, or studying the environment, there are many types of surveying.

Cadastral (Land) Surveying 

Cadastral Surveying is the practice of measuring and determining property boundaries. Property boundaries are fundamental for all land ownership, such as land development, land use planning, and real estate transactions. 

Cadastral Surveyors provide precise measurements and detailed maps that outline property limits, which are essential for ensuring land registration and resolving disputes.  Below are the many types of cadastral surveys:

Boundary Surveys (Identification) Surveys

Boundary surveys are a type of cadastral survey used to determine the precise physical boundaries of a property. These surveys involve researching historical maps, conducting field measurements, and marking property corners with physical markers. 

Feature Surveys

Feature surveys map out natural and artificial features on a piece of land. These surveys detail the topography, trees, buildings, fences, utilities, and other significant features that impact land use decisions. Engineers, architects, and planners use feature surveys to design developments that integrate seamlessly with the existing landscape to ensure sustainable and efficient use of space.

Topographic Surveys

Topographic surveys detail the elevation and relief of the land, showing contours, grades, and features such as streams, buildings, and trees. These surveys are used in project planning and design phases to understand terrain characteristics fully. Topographic surveys are essential for environmental impact studies, site development, and infrastructure projects. 

Subdivision Surveys

Subdivision Surveys focus on dividing a large tract of land into smaller parcels. This process involves detailed planning and layout to meet local zoning and development regulations.  

Engineering and Construction Surveys

Construction surveys lay the groundwork for building projects, ensuring that structures, roads, and utilities are placed according to the design plans. Construction surveys involve setting out precise markers to guide construction activities, verifying elevations, and aligning structures correctly. Construction surveys are crucial for contractors and engineers to prevent costly errors during construction and ensure projects meet specifications.

As-built Survey

As-built surveys document the precise details of a construction project upon its completion, recording any variations from the initial plans. As-built surveys provide a definitive record for future reference, compliance, and dispute resolution. As-built surveys allow Engineers and Construction professionals to understand the project’s final specifications.

Read about the responsibilities and requirements of Land Surveyors 

Engineering Surveying 

Engineering Surveying is critical during the planning and execution of engineering projects. Engineering Surveyors undertake measurements to ensure approved design plans are complete.

Engineering Surveyors set out various projects, including buildings, roads, bridges, transmission lines, canals, pipelines, tunnels, sewers, dam sites, and railways.

Click here to read about the responsibilities and requirements of Engineering Surveyors. 

Mining Surveying

Mining Surveyors specialise in assessing and mapping mineral extraction sites to determine the volume of materials that can be mined from surface operations and complex networks of underground mines. 

Their expertise supports the planning, developing, and managing of mining projects, including coal, metal, and mineral sand mines. Mine Surveyors play a crucial role in optimising drill patterns, overseeing excavations, managing land, and ensuring the safety and efficiency of mining operations through precise measurements and ground movement monitoring.

Mine Surveyors possess similar skills to land and engineering surveyors but receive specialised training for underground conditions. 

Click here to read about the responsibilities and requirements of a Mine Surveyor:

Hydrographic (Bathymetric) Surveying

Hydrographic surveying involves measuring and mapping water environments such as the ocean, harbours, rivers, and adjacent coastal areas. This discipline is crucial for creating detailed charts of waterways to ensure safe navigation of ships and boats.

Hydrographic surveyors can visualise the seabed without direct contact with the water and help discover shipwrecks and objects lost at sea using advanced sonar scanning technology.  

Read about the responsibilities and requirements of Hydrographic Surveyors. 

Tunnel Surveying

Tunnel surveying is a specialised branch of underground surveying focused on constructing and developing tunnels. This type of surveying involves establishing tunnel alignment and gradient into the underground environment. 

The process includes detailed mapping of proposed tunnel paths, precise levelling to determine elevations, and transferring these measurements underground to guide construction. 

Tunnelling surveyors utilise advanced technology and instruments to navigate underground construction projects such as railways, roadways, sewers, and water channels.

Read about the responsibilities and requirements of Tunnel Surveyors

Geodetic Surveying 

Geodetic surveying focuses on measuring the Earth’s shape and size with high precision and tracking continental movements. Surveyors specialising in this discipline monitor phenomena, including sea level changes, earthquakes, and satellite orbits.

Geodetic Surveyors capture minute details of the planet’s complex geography. The measurements taken contribute to understanding global dynamics and environmental changes.

Read about the responsibilities of Geodetic Surveyors

Aerial (Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing) Surveying 

Photogrammetry and remote sensing involve taking measurements of the world through photography and other wavelength bans, such as infrared or ultraviolet light.

Aerial Surveyors employ terrestrial, aerial, or satellite imagery to capture comprehensive data over extensive areas. This type of surveying is instrumental in mapping vast terrains and monitoring environmental changes over time.

Analysing imagery from diverse sources offers detailed insights into the Earth’s surface. This enables the accurate mapping of landscapes and the detection of changes in both natural and artificial environments.

Aerial Surveying is critical for understanding global changes, planning urban expansions, and managing natural resources, making it a valuable tool in surveying.

Read about the responsibilities and requirements of Aerial Surveyors

Topographic Surveying 

Topographic surveying focuses on capturing the location and elevation of various features on the Earth’s surface. This type of survey produces topographical plans illustrating contours and physical features to provide a comprehensive terrain view. 

These surveys are essential for designing and planning new infrastructure, including roads, buildings, and extensions. It also captures natural features such as rivers and hills. Advanced technology such as GPS and GIS are used to represent the physical landscape accurately. 

Read about the responsibilities and requirements of Topographic Surveyors

Construction Surveying 

Construction surveying focuses on interpreting construction plans and marking the positions of structures on the ground. It ensures that a project is built in the exact location and to the dimensions specified in the design plans. 

This type of surveying is essential for completing construction projects, as it directly influences the structural integrity and alignment of the built environment. 

Construction Surveyors use surveying instruments and technologies to measure distances, angles, and elevations, including theodolites, GPS systems, and laser levels. It ensures that buildings, roads, and bridges are constructed correctly from the ground up, adhering strictly to the engineered specifications.

Australia needs more Surveyors

While surveying is a well-established profession in Australia, the country is currently experiencing severe shortages of Surveyors. We are actively recruiting Surveyors with all levels of experience for current and upcoming projects across Australia.

Our Clients will offer you:

✔️ Competitive salary package, negotiable and based on experience;

✔️ Gain work experience on a mega infrastructure project with biggest civil construction companies in the World;

✔️ Exceptional training programs for Graduate Surveyors;

✔️ Join Employers that have a strong focus on sustainable solutions for infrastructure and construction and contribute to the advancement of next-generation technologies that meet sustainability targets;

✔️ Long-term employment opportunities with companies that encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

We are now actively interviewing: Graduate Surveyors, Cadet Surveyors, Project Surveyors, Senior Surveyors, Survey Managers. Work rights are preferred as sponsorships are limited. Experience using Leica and Trimble equipment as well as 12D is highly advantageous. Apply now on our website

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