What does it take to win a National Award for Best Professional Organisation of the Year?
Melissa Whidjaya, Marketing Manager
Awards are great! But what really matters is why you win them.
Writing up (and winning!) our submission for the EISSI for Professional Organisation of the Year (Large Firm) Award has allowed us to reflect on all the ways we strive to do our best. We don’t often stop to look at how far we’ve come! But it turns out that over the last 25 years we’ve covered a lot of ground. Our values of Respect, Innovation, Quality and Teamwork have come together to build a business that consistently delivers for clients, contributes to the industry and community, and invests in people.
“CMS Surveyors demonstrates excellence through outstanding client service, exceptional workplace culture and sustained leadership in training, education and industry advocacy. With strong governance, innovative practices, and a deep commitment to developing future surveyors, CMS sets a benchmark for professionalism, integrity and contribution to both the profession and the wider community.”
– 2025 National EISSI Judges
We deliver outcomes clients (like you) can rely on
Clients don’t come to CMS just for a survey. They come with a problem that needs a solution. It might be a homeowner facing council pressure, a developer managing approvals, or a Tier 1 contractor coordinating a complex build. In every case, they need clarity, speed and confidence to move forward.
We thrive on delivering that outcome, not just the scope. So what does that look like in practice? Here are just a few examples.
For residential projects, like this one in Dover Heights, it meant producing survey-accurate visual evidence capable of standing up to legal scrutiny, despite tight deadlines and difficult site conditions.
On the Western Sydney Airport project, it meant creating a 24-hour workflow so survey data could be processed overnight and delivered by 7am, helping keep construction on schedule.
For Sydney University we assisted with the preservation of a historic Moreton Bay Fig adjacent to a new build.
CMS Surveyors provided a scan of the tree and overlaid both the proposed building and tree in a Revit model so a potential conflict was identified and costly rebuilds were avoided.
Different projects, same approach. Respond quickly, communicate clearly, and deliver with precision. Over time, that consistency builds trust, reflected in repeat work, referrals and long-term client relationships.
We genuinely love contributing to industry and community
The future of surveying is something we’re passionate about and CMS plays an active role in strengthening the surveying profession. This includes contributing to industry boards, supporting education pathways and participating in events that promote surveying as a career. The focus is long-term, helping to ensure the industry continues to attract and develop skilled professionals.
At the same time, the business maintains a strong connection to its local community.
Over the past year, CMS has contributed more than $26,000 to local groups and charities, while actively supporting initiatives such as Lifeline Northern Beaches and local sporting organisations. Team members are regularly involved in fundraising events, volunteering and community programs.
The approach is simple – support the industry that supports you, and invest in the communities you work in.
Our people are our biggest investment
A strong organisation starts with a strong team.
CMS has built a workplace focused on development, with clear pathways for employees at every stage of their careers. This is supported by structured training, mentoring and ongoing investment in professional growth.
In the past year alone, the team has completed thousands of hours of training, supported by a detailed skills framework that ensures development is targeted and relevant. Put simply, CMS Surveyors is a great place to work and grow.
Neda Ziaei, BIM Manager
“Working at CMS has honestly been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. I came in with an architecture background, and from the beginning, the team really embraced that and gave me the space to bring a different perspective.
I’ve worked on some amazing projects around Sydney and NSW—two that really stand out are SAT Package 1 and 3, where we did as-built modelling for seven train stations.
As someone who migrated to Australia, I’ve felt incredibly lucky to find a team this welcoming. CMS has genuinely felt like a second family. As a new mum they gave me the flexibility I needed to juggle life and work – whether that meant being in the office or working from home. It’s a place where people care about each other and about doing great work. You feel heard, supported, and proud to be part of the team.”
Michael Brisby, Graduate Surveyor
“Balancing full-time work at CMS while finishing my degree wasn’t easy, but the support I had here made it possible. Over time, I’ve steadily progressed through the Competencies of Registration, and I’ve learned that surveying is a never-ending learning cycle. No matter how long you’ve been in the industry, there’s always something new to master so I never let myself get complacent.
What keeps me at CMS is the culture, the mentors, and the people. It’s a great place to work and grow. The directors feel more like mates than bosses, and that makes a huge difference. They’ve backed me in my career and celebrated big personal milestones, like becoming a dad. That kind of support means everything.”
Great culture is built on great leadership
Leadership is accessible, knowledge is shared openly, and employees are trusted to take ownership of their work. Opportunities to progress into leadership and ownership roles reinforce a long-term view of careers within the business.
Combined with a strong focus on safety, wellbeing and flexibility, this creates an environment where people can perform at a high level and build lasting careers.
Looking forward
Being named Professional Organisation of the Year reflects more than individual achievements. It recognises a consistent standard across the business – delivering for clients, supporting people and contributing to the broader industry and community. That consistency, with a healthy dose of innovation, is what sets CMS Surveyors apart and will guide us into the future.
