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Structural Engineer

engineering

When you need one

Any structural design — slabs, framing, footings, retaining walls, removed loadbearing walls.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Engineering (Civil/Structural). CPEng (Chartered Professional Engineer) registration. NER (National Engineering Register). QLD: RPEQ mandatory for engineering documents.

Professional body

Engineers Australia (CPEng, RPEQ in QLD)

Typical cost (Single dwelling structural design)

A$1,200–25,000

Per-state notes

QLD: RPEQ-signed engineering documents are statutorily required. Other states accept CPEng. NER is the cross-state mutual-recognition registration.

Key outputs

✓Footing design per AS 2870 (site class) + AS 3600 (concrete)
✓Timber framing per AS 1684 (residential)
✓Steel frame per AS 4100
✓Masonry per AS 3700
✓Retaining wall design
✓Wind classification (AS 4055 / AS 1170.2)
✓Earthquake category
✓Termite protection

What triggers engaging them

▸Any new dwelling
▸Second storey addition
▸Removed loadbearing wall
▸Retaining wall > 1m
▸Steel structure
▸Apartment building

Notes

Structural engineer typically engaged after architect's DA-stage design lands. Footing design depends on geotech site class — get geotech BEFORE structural engineer if soil unknown.