Free Position Description (Quantity Surveyor) Template
Clearly define roles and responsibilities for a Quantity Surveyor with our structured template. Aligned with Australian construction industry practices.
Free Position Description (Quantity Surveyor) Template
DOCX • 135 KB + PDF
Updated Oct 2026
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Purpose of the Free Position Description (Quantity Surveyor) Template
A well-drafted position description is the foundation for successfully recruiting and managing a Quantity Surveyor. This role is critical to the financial health and contractual integrity of any construction project.
Our Free Position Description (Quantity Surveyor) Template provides a structured starting point to attract qualified candidates by clearly outlining the scope, responsibilities, and expectations of the position. Using a detailed template helps ensure applicants understand the commercial and risk management aspects of the role, leading to a better-quality candidate pool.
This document serves not just as a recruitment tool, but also as a foundational component within your company's broader operational framework. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities are essential for effective governance and are a core element of robust WHS management systems, ensuring safety obligations are understood and integrated into all commercial activities.
How to use the Free Position Description (Quantity Surveyor) Template
This template is provided in DOCX format for easy customisation and PDF for immediate viewing. Download the file and open it in your preferred word processor.
Go through each section and tailor the content to match the specific requirements of your organisation, the types of projects you undertake (e.g., commercial, residential, infrastructure), and the seniority of the role (e.g., Cadet, Intermediate, or Senior QS).
Important: While this template offers a comprehensive starting point aligned with Australian industry practice, we stress that you must customise it to reflect your specific workplace. Every organisation has unique reporting lines, software systems, and project management methodologies.
It is your responsibility to adapt this document to ensure it is fit for purpose within your business.
Key Components to Customise
- Key Responsibilities: Adjust the list of duties to reflect the actual day-to-day tasks. This could include cost planning, preparing Bills of Quantities (BQs), tender analysis, contract administration (e.g., using AS 4000 or similar), and managing variations.
- Qualifications and Experience: Specify the required degree (e.g., Bachelor of Construction Management), professional memberships (e.g., AIQS), and years of experience.
- Software Proficiency: List the specific software your business uses, such as CostX, Buildsoft, Jobpac, or Procore.
- WHS Responsibilities: Clearly state the person's role in health and safety, particularly regarding contractor procurement, assessing financial implications of safety initiatives, and contract-related safety clauses. Professional guidance from WHS consulting can be invaluable for defining these duties accurately.
When to use it
A Position Description for a Quantity Surveyor should be used in several key business processes. The most obvious is during recruitment to attract and vet candidates.
However, it is also invaluable for onboarding new hires, setting clear expectations from day one. It serves as a benchmark for performance reviews, providing objective criteria against which to measure an employee's contribution.
Furthermore, it clarifies roles during internal restructuring or when defining project teams for large-scale developments.
The document also plays a crucial role in demonstrating due diligence. Having clearly assigned responsibilities is a fundamental aspect checked during any formal WHS compliance auditing process, showing that the organisation has systematically allocated its safety and operational duties.
Who should use it
This template is designed for use by anyone involved in the hiring, management, or strategic planning of construction and property development teams in Australia. This typically includes:
- Construction Managers
- Project Directors
- HR Managers and Recruitment Professionals
- Commercial Managers
- Directors and Business Owners of construction companies
Whether you are a small contractor hiring your first in-house QS or a large firm expanding its commercial team, this template provides a professional and efficient solution. For organisations pursuing international standards, integrating well-defined roles like this is a key step towards certification, a process that can be streamlined with expert ISO 45001 consulting.
By investing time in customising this document, you create a tool that supports the entire employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to performance management and career progression. Explore our complete collection of templates and guides in our free WHS resources library to further strengthen your operational frameworks.
Common mistakes
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a generic HR template that misses construction-specific duties.
- Failing to clearly outline WHS responsibilities related to contracts and procurement.
- Forgetting to list required software proficiency (e.g., CostX, Buildsoft).
- Not updating the PD as the role, projects, or company systems evolve.
Legal references
Legal considerations
The following legal requirements may be relevant to this type of work.
- Work Health and Safety Act (Harmonised) — Provides the primary duties for protecting workers and other people from work health and safety risks.
- Work Health and Safety Regulations (Harmonised) — Sets out requirements supporting the management of workplace hazards and risks.
The following codes may be relevant to this type of work.
- Managing WHS Risks Code of Practice — Provides practical guidance on identifying hazards, assessing risks and applying effective controls.
- Work Health and Safety Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination Code of Practice — Provides practical guidance on consulting workers and coordinating with other duty holders.
- Managing the Work Environment and Facilities Code of Practice — Provides practical guidance on safe work environments, workplace facilities and related controls.
Did you know
The 'Building Economist'
The role of a Quantity Surveyor is often described as a 'Building Economist' or 'Cost Manager', highlighting their crucial function in managing the financial health of a project from inception to completion.
Roots in Measurement
The profession's name originates from the act of "quantifying" materials, labour, and time required for a project, traditionally measured from drawings to create a Bill of Quantities.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
01What WHS responsibilities should be included in a Quantity Surveyor PD?
02Is this template suitable for a Cadet or Senior Quantity Surveyor?
03How does a Position Description help with performance management?
04Why is a specific PD for a Quantity Surveyor so important in construction?
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Free Position Description (Quantity Surveyor) Template
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How To Use It
- 1Download and open in Word or PDF.
- 2Replace the placeholders with your business details.
- 3Get it reviewed by a WHS specialist before rollout.
Need it customised?
Our WHS consultants can adapt this template to your site, run a gap analysis, or audit what you already have in place.
Book a Free Consultation WHS consulting servicesor call 1300 156 382
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