Abstract:
This paper examines trends in the Australian Quantity Surveying profession since 1995. The paper is based on
research conducted by a team from the University of Technology Sydney involving a series of five national
surveys spanning 1995 to 2003. The surveys have examined trends in general practice and the utilization of
information technology by the profession. The primary purpose of the surveys has been to assist firms in dealing
with change and to adapt their operations to meet industry demands. Firms in all sectors of the construction
industry will need to work smarter to gain competitive advantage and current industry procurement and
technological trends clearly indicate that firms who are unable to re-engineer their work practices to evolve with
these trends will find it increasingly difficult to survive in a meaningful and profitable form. The paper initially
examines trends in the structure/size/nature of the profession and trends in general business practices and scope
of services. This is followed by an in-depth examination of trends in the utilisation of information technology by
Australian Quantity Surveying practices. The survey responses are then used to examine current problems and
opportunities in the profession and what needs to be done in the short and longer term. The paper concludes with
a range of recommendations and strategies that attempt to address these problems and ensure the relevance and
importance of the profession well into the future. The paper will also provide the international quantity surveying
community with a unique data source that should prove valuable for comparative purposes and general
discussion about the global future and direction of the profession.
