Looking ahead

Shaping the next 75 years of planning in Australia

As the profession looks to the future, the role of planning has never been more important. Population growth, climate change, technological change and evolving community expectations are reshaping how places develop and grow. Planners will play a critical role in helping communities respond to these challenges, creating places that are sustainable, resilient and liveable.

PIA is committed to supporting the profession as it navigates this changing landscape, while inspiring the next generation of planners who will shape Australia’s future.

Inspiring the next generation of planners

As Australia’s communities continue to grow and evolve, the demand for skilled planners is increasing. To help address the national shortage of planners, the Planning Institute of Australia launched the Become A Planner campaign in 2023 - a national initiative designed to raise awareness of planning as a career among high school students.

The campaign highlights what planners do, the many pathways into the profession and the wide range of careers planning can lead to. At the centre of the campaign is the Become A Planner website, a dedicated hub where students can explore the profession, hear from real planners about their career journeys and discover the different types of planners shaping communities across Australia.

Our members have played a huge part in ensuring we get the Become A Planner message our far and wide, and dozens of volunteers have been central in getting the campaign off the ground! 

Through digital outreach, career fairs and stronger connections with geography teachers and school careers advisers, the campaign aims to introduce more young people to planning and encourage the next generation to consider careers that help shape the future of Australia’s cities, regions and environments.

Emerging Planners

Across Australia, emerging planners are already helping shape the future of the profession. Bringing new perspectives, ideas and experiences, they are contributing to conversations about how our cities, regions and communities will grow in the decades ahead.

Explore the Emerging Planners Networks

Planning has always been about shaping better futures. Over the coming decades, planners will play an even greater role in helping Australia grow in ways that support strong communities, resilient environments and great places. PIA will continue to champion the profession and support planners in this vital work.

Matt Collins MPIA
PIA CEO

Shaping the future of planning