The Master of Property Development and Planning is a postgraduate qualification designed to equip professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the entire property development lifecycle — from site acquisition and feasibility analysis through to urban design, planning approvals, construction, and asset management. The course bridges the gap between the private sector's commercial imperatives and the public sector's planning frameworks, producing graduates who can navigate both worlds with confidence. It is typically housed within faculties of Design, Architecture and Building, and is accredited by leading bodies such as the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), the Australian Property Institute (API), and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), ensuring graduates meet the highest professional standards in the industry.

This degree is tailored for both existing property and planning practitioners seeking to upgrade their qualifications, and for graduates from related disciplines — such as architecture, engineering, construction management, law, economics, and finance — who wish to transition into or advance within the property development and planning sector. Students develop the ability to balance private and public interests in urban development, understand how urban economies function, apply urban design and sustainability principles, and assess development feasibility. The curriculum typically integrates coursework in property markets, planning law, risk analysis, large-scale project management, and sustainable development.

Key employers of graduates include private property development companies, urban planning consultancies, local and state government planning departments, real estate investment trusts (REITs), infrastructure agencies, construction firms, and community housing organisations. Australia's ongoing housing shortage, population growth, and major infrastructure pipelines — including a national housing target of 1.2 million homes by 2030 — mean that skilled property development and planning professionals are in significant and growing demand across all major cities.

Most Australian universities offering a Master of Property Development and Planning require applicants to hold a completed bachelor's degree (or equivalent higher qualification) as a minimum academic entry requirement. The preferred disciplinary backgrounds typically include architecture and building, engineering, management and commerce, law, economics, finance, or planning — usually at a credit average (approximately 65%) or above. Some institutions offer accelerated pathways (one year rather than two) for applicants whose undergraduate degree is in a closely related discipline such as property, construction, or urban planning. Where an applicant's undergraduate degree is from an unrelated field, a minimum number of years of relevant professional work experience — commonly two years or more — may be accepted in lieu of or in addition to academic qualifications. Some programs also accept graduates holding a relevant Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma as an articulated entry pathway into the master's degree.

International applicants and local applicants with overseas qualifications must demonstrate English language proficiency. Typical requirements include an Academic IELTS score of 6.5 overall (with no component below 6.0, and a writing score of at least 6.0), or equivalent scores in TOEFL, PTE Academic, or Cambridge Advanced English tests. Some programs additionally require applicants to submit a personal statement (usually 300–500 words) outlining their reasons for undertaking the course and articulating their career goals in property development or planning. A current curriculum vitae demonstrating relevant professional or industry experience may also be required, particularly for programs with a professional-entry focus. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may be available for applicants with substantial professional experience or relevant prior study.