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Career Profile

Sustainability consultant

Sustainability consultants advise organisations on reducing their environmental impact and meeting regulations, assessing projects and recommending more sustainable ways of working.
Business, Finance and ManagementEngineering, Aviation and Science
Average weekly salary
$1841
Future demand
Moderate
Most common education level
Bachelor degree

What does a sustainability consultant do? 

A sustainability consultant helps organisations reduce their environmental impact and work more sustainably. They assess how a project or business affects the environment, study data on pollution, water and energy, and recommend practical ways to cut impact and meet regulations. The advice runs from design and operations through to reporting, and it has to be commercially realistic as well as environmentally sound. 

Sustainability consultants work mainly in professional and consulting firms, government departments, and across industries such as construction, infrastructure, mining and resources. The role mixes office-based assessment, reporting and policy work with site visits and field sampling.

Is sustainability consulting right for me?

A career in sustainability consulting may suit you if you care about the environment and enjoy solving practical problems within rules and budgets. You need a good grounding in environmental science, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to advise a range of organisations. 

Other skills and attributes that suit this career include:

Analytical thinking
An ability to analyse and interpret information.
Communication
Clear written and verbal communication skills, supported by strong interpersonal skills.
Industry knowledge
A sound awareness and understanding of industry and trends.
Professionalism
The ability to take initiative, demonstrate personal drive, and maintain a professional attitude.

Problem-solving and decision-making
The ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and make informed decisions.

Digital and technical capability
Proficiency in using technology, digital tools, and relevant software.

How to become a sustainability consultant

Most sustainability consultants hold a bachelor degree in environmental science, science or a related field, and build experience in environmental or sustainability roles. Consulting also rewards commercial awareness and communication, so experience advising organisations helps. 

Every career journey is individual, and there are several paths into sustainability consulting. Suggested steps you can take to become a sustainability consultant include:

  1. Complete a bachelor degree in environmental science, science or a related field.
  2. Build knowledge of environmental regulations, assessment and sustainability.
  3. Gain experience in environmental, sustainability or consulting roles.
  4. Develop your analytical, reporting and communication skills.
  5. Consider further study or professional recognition as you specialise.

How long does it take to become a sustainability consultant?

A bachelor degree in environmental science or science, such as UniSQ's Bachelor of Environmental Science, takes three years of full-time study, or longer if you study part-time.

Moving into consulting usually takes a few years of experience in environmental or sustainability roles, where you build the practical and commercial skills the work needs.

Start your journey with UniSQ

Build the environmental science foundation for a sustainability career with a UniSQ environmental science degree, where you can study climate, ecology, conservation and sustainability. 

Bachelor of Environmental Science
Go to degree
Bachelor of Science
Go to degree
Agriculture and Environment degrees
Explore options
Need help planning your career journey?
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Responsibilities and work settings

Day-to-day responsibilities

Conducting environmental impact assessments for projects.

Recommending ways to reduce environmental impact.

Collecting and analysing pollution, soil, water and ecological data.

Developing sustainability, management and compliance plans.

Advising organisations on environmental practice and reporting.

Where you might work

Environmental and sustainability organisations

Government agencies, departments and councils

Engineering consultancies

Construction and infrastructure companies

Mining and resources companies

Non-profit, charity and community organisations

Research institutes and research centres

Accounting, consulting and professional services firms

Sustainability consultant FAQs

Pay for sustainability consultants varies with experience, employer and sector. For further information, please view the salary information on this page.

Most sustainability consultants hold a bachelor degree in environmental science, science or a related field, plus experience in environmental or sustainability roles. There is no mandatory licence, so employers value knowledge of environmental science and regulations, and the ability to advise organisations. Some professionals seek recognition such as Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP) through the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand once they have the required experience. It is optional and depends on the role.

A sustainability consultant assesses how a project or organisation affects the environment, analyses the data, and recommends practical ways to reduce impact, meet regulations and work more sustainably. The advice covers design, operations and reporting.

Sustainability consulting is growing as organisations focus on reducing their environmental impact and meeting reporting obligations. It suits people who want practical, meaningful work in sustainability. A UniSQ environmental science degree provides the scientific base. 

Sustainability consultants work in professional and consulting firms, government departments, and across industries such as construction, infrastructure, mining and resources. The work mixes office-based assessment and reporting with site visits and field sampling.

Related careers

Ecologist
Environmental manager
Environmental scientist
Conservation biologist

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Disclaimer: UniSQ’s Career Finder is a guide only. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, career information may change over time. Career statistics are sourced from Your Career and Jobs and Skills Australia. © Commonwealth of Australia. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Salary figures listed on this page are in Australian Dollars (AUD).