You’ll need to have great organisational skills and attention to detail. You’ll be able to see the big picture, as well as the minor details that come together to make a successful project. You will be a great communicator who enjoys working with others to achieve an outcome.

Most rail projects involve many different people, equipment and resources. They must be coordinated to ensure projects finish on time and to a high standard. Planners often provide leadership to teams of workers, engineers and other professionals. You’ll work with people from many different specialisations – project managers, engineers, skilled tradespeople, and business and operations managers. Most of your time will be spent in an office, coordinating with your team to develop and deliver project plans and schedules. You may use specialised project management software to communicate plans and track project progress. You’ll also coordinate meetings and report progress to project stakeholders. At times you’ll visit project sites to ensure a project is going to plan and meets the required specifications. You can find work as a project planner all around Australia. Most jobs are in cities and towns. Some are in remote areas.

To work as part of a project team, you’ll usually need a Certificate IV in Project Management Practice. Project planners may require industry-recognised certification, such as the Project Management Professional certification. You may also need accreditation with the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM). For some roles, you’ll need specialised knowledge and qualifications in areas such as transport, construction and engineering. Our industry values diverse personal and work experience. Many employers can provide you with opportunities to gain additional qualifications and industry experience to help you succeed.