Quantity Surveying Practice in Australia and the Asia-Pacific Region

This paper examines trends in Quantity Surveying practice and services in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. The paper is based on research involving a series of seven biennial surveys of the Australian profession spanning 1995 to 2008 and an extension of this survey to the Asia-Pacific region in 2008 that included all member associations of the Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors. The surveys have examined trends in general practice and the utilization of information technology with the primary purpose of assisting firms in dealing with change and adapting their operations to meet industry demands. 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 Australian profession and trends in business practices and scope of services. This is followed by an examination of trends in the utilisation of information technology by Quantity Surveying firms. These results are compared with those from the 2008 survey of quantity surveying practices in PAQS member countries. The paper concludes with suggested strategic directions for the profession based on the survey findings.