Start building today!
Experience the Find the courses and unlock the true potential
The Master of Regional Planning by Research is an advanced postgraduate qualification that equips students with the skills to conduct original, independent research into the complex planning challenges facing Australia's regions, cities, and communities. Unlike coursework-based planning masters degrees, this research-focused program is structured around a supervised thesis on a topic of the student's choosing — from coastal management and water allocation to urban design, transport planning, housing policy, dispute resolution, and sustainable land use. Students complete one required research methods course alongside their thesis, developing advanced capabilities in research design, data analysis, critical reasoning, and scholarly writing that push the boundaries of contemporary planning practice.
Australia is facing a nationally recognised shortage of qualified urban and regional planners. In 2024, Urban and Regional Planners were added to the federal government's Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), confirming the profession as a high-demand occupation eligible for skilled migration programs. Employment opportunities for planners are already increasing according to Jobs and Skills Australia, driven by rapid population growth, infrastructure investment, climate change adaptation requirements, and increasing pressure on both metropolitan and regional areas. A research-focused masters degree positions graduates not only for senior practitioner roles in government, consultancy, and the private sector, but also for academic and policy-leadership careers where advanced analytical and research skills command premium salaries.
Australia's planning sector faces particularly acute skills shortages in regional areas, where qualified planners are needed to guide sustainable development, manage natural resources, and support growing communities outside the major capital cities. Graduates of a Master of Regional Planning by Research bring a rare combination of deep theoretical knowledge, evidence-based research expertise, and practical planning insight — making them highly competitive for leadership positions in state and local government, planning consultancies, engineering firms, water authorities, mining companies, research organisations, and environmental consultancies.
To be eligible for admission to a Master of Regional Planning by Research, applicants are typically required to hold a Bachelor degree (AQF Level 7) with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 5.0 on a 7-point scale (or equivalent) from a recognised higher education institution, or a Bachelor Honours degree (AQF Level 8) at Class IIB or above. Some institutions will also accept a record of qualifications and/or professional research experience deemed equivalent to these academic standards, as assessed by the institution's Research Degrees Committee. Applicants should have an undergraduate background in a related discipline such as urban or regional planning, geography, architecture, landscape architecture, environmental science, or a cognate field. In some cases, applicants without a planning background may enter via a Graduate Certificate pathway before progressing to the research masters.
All applicants whose previous education was not conducted entirely in English must demonstrate English language proficiency. The standard minimum requirement across Australian universities is an overall IELTS Academic score of 6.5, with no individual band below 6.0. Equivalent results from TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or Cambridge C1/C2 are generally accepted. Importantly, admission to a research degree is also subject to the availability of an appropriate academic supervisor with expertise in the proposed research area, so applicants are strongly encouraged to identify and make contact with a potential supervisor before applying. A research proposal outlining the intended thesis topic, its significance, and proposed methodology is usually required as part of the application.
This course may be offered in different study modes depending on the university, campus location, course structure and student type. Students should check the available delivery mode before applying, as not every study option is available at every institution.
On-campus study is the traditional mode of delivery where students attend classes, lectures, tutorials, workshops or seminars at the university campus. This option may suit students who prefer face-to-face learning, access to campus facilities, networking with classmates, practical workshops, group projects and direct engagement with academic staff.
Some universities may offer programs fully online or with online subject options. Online study can be attractive for students who need flexibility due to work, family, location or other commitments. Online study may suit domestic students, working professionals or students who want to study from outside Australia.
Hybrid or blended study usually combines online learning with some on-campus classes, workshops, intensive sessions or practical components. This mode may suit students who want flexibility but still want some face-to-face interaction. The exact structure varies between institutions.
Programs in Australia may have different intake structures depending on the university. The most common intake systems are semester, trimester and block mode.
Many Australian universities follow a two-semester academic calendar. The main intakes are commonly Semester 1 (around February or March) and Semester 2 (around July). Semester-based study usually allows students to complete a set number of subjects over approximately 12 to 14 weeks.
Some universities use a trimester system, which generally provides three study periods a year — around February/March, June/July and October/November. Trimester study may provide more flexibility and may help some students complete their course faster.
Some institutions may offer selected subjects or programs in block mode, where students focus on one subject at a time over a shorter, more intensive teaching period. Block mode may suit students who prefer concentrated learning or working professionals managing study around employment.
Some online or professionally focused programs may offer more frequent start dates or flexible entry points throughout the year. Students should not assume that every course has monthly or multiple intakes — availability depends on the institution, course structure and student type.
Graduates of a Master of Regional Planning by Research are well positioned to pursue a wide range of careers across the public and private sectors in Australia and internationally. Major employers include federal, state, and local governments, planning and engineering consultancies, construction companies, water supply authorities, mining companies, environmental consultancies, research organisations, universities, parks and wildlife agencies, and property development firms. The combination of deep research expertise and applied planning knowledge makes graduates particularly suited to senior policy, advisory, and leadership roles, as well as academic and research careers.
Entry Level
Graduate / Assistant Planner
Graduate Planner, Graduate Town Planner, Assistant Development Assessment Officer, Junior Planning Officer, Graduate Research Assistant (Planning)
Early Career
Planner / Planning Officer
Town Planner, Regional Planner, Development Assessment Officer, Community Development Officer, Land Use Planner, Transport Planner (Junior)
Mid-Level
Senior Planner / Specialist Adviser
Senior Town Planner, Strategic Planning Adviser, Environmental Planning Specialist, Infrastructure Planner, Social Planner, Planning Consultant, Land Use Policy Analyst
Senior Level
Manager / Principal Planner
Planning Manager, Principal Planner, Regional Development Manager, Strategic Planning Manager, Planning Policy Manager, Senior Planning Consultant
Leadership
Director / Head / Chief Planner
Director of Planning, Director of City Strategy, Chief Planner, Executive Director (Planning and Environment), Head of Urban Strategy, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, Planning Institute Leader
Salaries for urban and regional planning graduates in Australia vary by experience level, sector, and location, with research-qualified planners typically commanding above-average remuneration.
Melbourne
Melbourne is Australia's fastest-growing major city and a powerhouse for urban planning activity, with major state government infrastructure projects, urban renewal precincts, and one of the most active planning consultancy sectors in the country. Students benefit from close proximity to Victoria's Department of Transport and Planning, leading planning firms, and a vibrant research culture across its universities.
Sydney
As Australia's largest city, Sydney offers unmatched exposure to complex metropolitan planning challenges including housing affordability, transport infrastructure, coastal management, and urban densification. The NSW government, major engineering consultancies, and some of Australia's most prominent planning firms are all based here, creating strong networking and employment opportunities for research graduates.
Brisbane
Brisbane is experiencing significant growth driven by the 2032 Olympic Games legacy infrastructure program and South East Queensland's broader regional expansion, making it an especially dynamic location for regional planning research. Queensland's diverse planning contexts — from coastal communities to inland resource regions — offer rich fieldwork and research opportunities for planning students.
Perth
Perth's unique planning context — combining rapid outer-metropolitan growth with challenges of remoteness, resource-sector land use, and Indigenous land management — makes it an ideal base for research in regional and environmental planning. The Western Australian government and a strong resources sector provide diverse employment pathways for planning graduates.
Adelaide
Adelaide offers a more intimate and accessible planning environment, with strong state government investment in urban renewal, affordable housing research, and sustainable development, along with South Australia's long-standing tradition as Australia's leading provider of planning education. The city's manageable scale allows research students to engage deeply with local government and planning agencies.
Canberra
Canberra is home to federal government agencies including the National Capital Authority, CSIRO, and numerous policy research bodies, making it an outstanding location for students focused on national planning policy, regional development strategy, and evidence-based governance. The ACT's own urban growth challenges and proximity to regional New South Wales also offer valuable applied research contexts.
Before choosing a course, students should compare:
International students who want to study in Australia should also consider additional requirements before applying.
Join successful graduates
Students Helped
Application Processed
Listed Universities
Listed Courses
