A summary of recent developments in the geospatial and spatial sciences sector, including new job vacancies across Australian government agencies, technology standards updates, conference deadlines, and industry announcements.
Job Vacancies
Multiple positions have been advertised across Australian state and federal government agencies. Application deadlines are listed where provided.
New South Wales
- Hornsby Shire Council (Sydney): Manager Strategic Landuse Planning. Closing 22 June.
- Crown Lands and Public Spaces: Spatial Analyst, Bushfire Program. Closing 28 June.
- Transport for NSW: Manager Spatial Services (fixed term until December 2028) for the Sydney Metro project. Closing 2 July.
- Transport for NSW: Senior Manager Geospatial Delivery. Closing 2 July.
- Waverley Council: GIS Analyst and GIS Officer positions.
- Strathfield Council: Request for quotation for aerial imagery solution.
Queensland
- National Fire Ant Eradication Program: Senior Systems and Data Analyst. Closing 18 June.
- Department of Transport and Main Roads: Senior Spatial Science Officer. Closing 26 June.
- City of Moreton Bay: GIS & Asset Data Technical Officer. Closing 23 June.
- Department of Primary Industries: Project Officer (Spatial) in Cairns. Closing 14 July.
Victoria
- VicGrid: Senior Manager Land Use and Spatial Insights. Closing 20 June.
- VicGrid: Senior Spatial Analyst. Closing 20 June.
- Department of Transport and Planning: Data Analytics & Reporting Developer. Closing 27 June.
- Department of Transport and Planning: Senior Manager Strategic Business Services. Closing 2 July.
- Parks Victoria: Program Officer Dredging and Waterway Services. Closing 21 June.
Technology and Standards Updates
- Galileo GNSS: The European Galileo satellite navigation system has begun broadcasting the E5a Quasi Pilot signal from 12 satellites. The service aims to reduce power consumption for low-power devices.
- Metaverse Standards Forum: The forum announced Sneeze, an open-source browser engine for spatial computing.
- Survey and Spatial Information Framework: NSW DCS Spatial Services published version 1.1, which requires a single Date of Survey on plan title blocks.
- Mobile Laser Scanning: The Western Australian Department of Main Roads released an updated Mobile Laser Scanning Standard (May 2026).
- S-100 Products: The Australian Hydrographic Office released its first S-100 products for Botany Bay.
- Bush Fire Prone Land Maps: New maps were adopted in the Mid-Western Region of NSW.
Events, Awards, and Grants
- Locate26 Conference & Digital Earth Summit: Abstract submissions are due by June 30. The combined event with the 10th Digital Earth Summit will be held in Melbourne in November.
- South Australian Geospatial Excellence Awards: Nominations are open, with categories including Geospatial Professional of the Year, Emerging Geospatial Professional of the Year, Local Hero Award, and Local Impact Award. The awards ceremony will be held on August 7.
- Advancing Earth Observation Forum: Travel grants of up to $1,500 are available, with applications open. The grants are aimed at increasing diversity.
- A-SPEC National Forum Series: GISSA announced the return of the series for 2026, with forums scheduled on various dates in October and November 2026.
Industry and Membership News
- Investment: Serendipity Capital led a $7 million seed investment in QuantX Labs, an optical atomic clock technology company based in Adelaide.
- Education and Housing: Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy submitted comments to the Productivity Commission inquiry on housing supply regulation, noting that universities educate architects, engineers, planners, surveyors, and builders.
- Institutional Membership: The Pacific GIS and Remote Sensing Council (PGRSC) added the Northern Mariana Islands Division of Fish and Wildlife as an institutional member.