The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is taken as an example for studying the Australian higher education mode, the cultivating scheme, degree system, and specialty and curriculum setting of civil engineering discipline are analyzed and compared respectively. In the undergraduate education stage of UNSW, a cultivating mode named "wide scope and profound base" is adopted for the teaching activities of civil engineering specialty, along with the training mechanism of single and double bachelor degree. Compact course hours and credits always contribute to providing flexible and broad elective courses for the undergraduate students. In the postgraduate education stage of UNSW, there are two cultivating categories including the coursework program (master degree) and the research program (master and doctor degree). Students of coursework program may be awarded the master degree as they have completed specified courses and credits. Comparing with the coursework students, there have no credit requirements for the research students, but the high-quality thesis and innovative research works must be achieved by them in order to embody the training mode of "entry easy and exit strict".The comparative study of the engineering education mode of UNSW may help domestic colleges or universities promote the development of civil engineering discipline and outstanding engineers program.