Why Study Engineering in Australia: A Complete Guide

Engineering is one of the most challenging fields of study across the world. It offers various opportunities for students to flourish in creativity and exhibit their knowledge.

If you are passionate about learning and specialising in any engineering field, there are many courses to choose from and make a career in.

In this blog, you will learn the benefits of studying engineering in Australia, how to study it, your options, the best engineering courses, and more.

1. Why Study Engineering in Australia?

Australia provides a suitable environment for international students to obtain qualifications and skills in any of the engineering fields that, include: Architectural, Spatial, Manufacturing, Aerospace, Software, Aeronautical, Applied Physics and Environmental engineering courses. 

Australia offers everything from postgraduate courses to university degrees and TAFE (Technical and Further Education) programs in engineering. 

There are around 37 engineering institutions in Australia. These institutions offer high-quality education and a strong research focus, allowing students to engage in leading research activities and interact more closely with the industry. 

Australia’s fantastic climate, established universities, fast-growing economy, and political stability attract many international students yearly. They pursue engineering courses in Australia to learn new skills and experience the Aussie way of life!

2. Benefits of Studying Engineering in Australia

Are you planning to study abroad? Pursuing your dream engineering course in a foreign country like Australia allows you to broaden your horizons. While you may face a few challenges, you will surely gain valuable experience. 

Let’s check out a few benefits of studying engineering in Australia. 

3. Wide Selection of Engineering Courses

Australian universities offer a wide range of engineering courses to international students, allowing them to study the field of their choice. 

The courses include geological, agricultural, marine, mechatronics, electronics, chemical, aerospace, civil, petroleum, mining, industrial, telecommunications and many other programs. 

Some of the most popular courses among international students in Australia are electrical and mechanical engineering programs. 

International students can also apply for Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, making them eligible for positions like engineering associate or engineering technologist. 

It’s important to note that engineering courses in Australia are frequently updated to remain relevant to technological developments. It enables students to utilise their knowledge for real-world applications. 

4. Exposure and Accreditation

Australian universities encourage engineering students to do an internship along with their coursework to gain work experience. They also meet students from different countries, exposing them to unique opinions, ideas and perspectives. 

Top engineering universities in Australia offer industrial training placement to international students. It helps them explore different job roles, environments and projects, giving them a practical understanding of their chosen profession. 

Some institutions even offer engineering courses accredited by Engineers Australia, which holds great value for aspiring engineers.  

5. Incredible Employment Opportunities

There’s a constant requirement for engineers in Australia. The high demand for engineers in Australia has opened various employment opportunities for international students in Australia. 

Over the years, even the number of female engineers has increased. Many Australian institutions have supported this movement by providing educational support and scholarships to study in Australia.

Engineering graduates can also expect to earn high salaries in Australia. The average salary of engineering graduates in Australia is around $60,000 annually. 

Here is the list of basic annual average salaries for different engineering professions in Australia:

6. Immigration Prospects

After completing studies in Australia, the following favourable step is to apply for Australian permanent residency. There is a good chance for engineers to obtain a PR as the Australian economy constantly needs skilled engineers.

Engineering graduates can choose from the following migration options:

• Post-study Work Visa or a Temporary Graduate visa allows you to temporarily stay in Australia after graduating and gain professional work experience.

• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme or Employer Nomination Scheme - Gain nomination by your employer to live and work in Australia. 

• SkillSelect Skilled Migration Program - Skilled workers worldwide who want to move to Australia can apply for a skilled Australian visa. 

Occupations like Computer Network Professionals, Industrial Engineers, Production Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Software and Applications Programmers, ICT Business and System Analysts, Computer Network Professionals and Electronic Engineers have a better chance of receiving an invitation to apply for the skilled migration visa subclass 189 and 190. 

To get more visa-related information, visit the Immigration and Citizenship section of the Australian Department of Home Affairs. 

Australia's practical and unique approach to engineering education attracts many talented students from all over the world looking for a career in engineering.

So, suppose you wish to take up a specialised role, work with an international team, participate in research, or manage a project. In that case, Australia has all the necessary resources while simultaneously allowing you to be innovative and creative.

7. Which Engineering Is Best in Australia?

Engineering career opportunities continue to grow and change with technological advancement. With several types and subtypes of engineering available, finding the best one among them is often challenging.

Selecting the right engineering specialisation depends on your interests and passions. We have discussed the different engineering specialisations and the required skills to make your selection easier.

Automation and Robotics Engineering

This engineering specialisation is worth pursuing if you are interested in:

• Robots and automated machines

• Design, build, test, and upkeep of complex machines

• Programming, gadgetry, and computer algorithms 

Career Opportunities: You work to design and develop intelligent systems for varied sectors, including manufacturing, transport, construction, healthcare, telecommunications, space exploration, and entertainment, to name a few.

Biomedical Engineering

Choose this engineering specialisation if the following interests in:

• The design and development of medical products

• Applying your engineering skills in healthcare to improve patient's clinical outcomes and healthcare efficiencies 

• Developing innovative, life-enhancing, and saving medical technologies 

Career Opportunities: Biomedical Engineers are in demand in hospitals, biomedical labs, medical manufacturing firms, pharmaceutical companies, and universities. Some also work in research facilities to research and design ways to enhance health care and medical services.

Chemical Engineering

This engineering field is the perfect option for you if you are interested in:

• Studying chemistry and combining the knowledge with engineering, materials science, and biochemistry 

• Interested in transforming raw materials into valuable products

• Understanding the chemical processes that produce daily needs such as petrol, medicines, fertilisers, cosmetics, washing detergents, and more

• Designing and building chemical manufacturing processes

Career Opportunities: You could work for specialised design companies, on-site refineries and process plants, laboratories, and universities to perform research work.

Civil Engineering

This engineering niche may be ideal if you are interested in:

• Using creative design skills, applied maths and calculations

• Making elaborate plans and processes to build infrastructure systems, such as buildings, road systems, etc. 

• Creating sustainable and eco-friendly surroundings

• Specialised fields such as geomechanics, rock mechanics, structural mechanics, and hydraulics

Career Opportunities: You could work in offices or building sites across various sectors, including construction, consulting, transport, project management, infrastructure, environmental control, water, waste, mining, and energy.

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

You may pursue this engineering specialisation if you are interested in:

• Understanding how electricity generates and used in residential, commercial, and industrial premises and how electric systems work 

• Designing devices and systems that provide essential services such as communications, power, and electronics

Career opportunities: You could work to develop sustainable energy solutions, design healthcare improvement technologies, and create systems that support robotics and automation.

Environmental Engineering

This engineering specialisation is worth pursuing if you are interested in:

• Combining the knowledge of environmental sciences with engineering principles

• Researching and building cutting-edge technologies and solutions to improve environmental standards and overcome environmental challenges

• Examining the Social and environmental impacts of engineering projects

Career Opportunities: You may work in government agencies, offices, labs, construction, and mine sites to control pollution, reduce waste, or supervise rehabilitation and clean-up operations in polluted environments. Opportunities also exist to work self-employed or with consultancies.

Mechanical Engineering

Consider pursuing this engineering niche if you are interested in:

• Understanding moving parts, mechanics, weight, machines, and strength of materials

• Being hands-on in identifying solutions and innovations

• Designing machinery and systems that produce power, develop products, displace objects, and assist in building

Career opportunities: You may work in offshore and petroleum engineering, mining, mineral processing, building, construction, power, food production, defence, automotive, and aerospace manufacturing industries.

Mining Engineering

This engineering specialisation is suitable if you are interested in:

• Learning how minerals get extracted from the earth and used later

• Examining mineral deposits and working with economists and geologists

• Hands-on and technical engineering works both in the field and remote areas

• Design, installation, and supervision of the use of mining equipment

• Design and execution of environmental and safety programs

Career opportunities: Mining engineers may work with a service company in mine production and management, finance or banking, public sector, or research firms.

Software Engineering

Choose this engineering niche if you are interested in:

• Technology and how to use it to simplify people's lives 

• Troubleshooting to make a system or software work as intended

• Programming and programming languages and dealing with complex code, and algorithms behind computer systems 

• Using creative and critical thinking to design effective software 

Career opportunities: Professionals in this field can work in almost every industry, from small startup companies to large government organisations in various fields, such as finance, mining, entertainment, commerce, or health.

Now that you have a fair idea of the requisite skills for different engineering specialisations, you can find the one that aligns with your skills and interests.

8. Frequentley Asked Questions FAQs

Is Australia a Good Place To Study Engineering?

• According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject, Australian universities rank high for Engineering, particularly Civil, Mineral and Mining, Electrical and Electronic, and Mechanical Engineering.  

• The country has various globally recognised major universities that have made a phenomenal contribution to engineering. They have produced award-winning professionals and made significant scientific breakthroughs in advanced research programmes on a global level, such as quantum computing, membrane technology, and environmentally friendly waste disposal.

• Another reason to study engineering in Australia is that the courses involve practical learning components and are regularly updated to stay on par with technological advancements. It empowers students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world applications. 

• Additionally, the universities encourage students to pursue internships while studying to gain work experience.

Why Would You Choose Australia For Study Rather Than Other Countries?

Here are some convincing reasons why you should study Engineering in Australia:

• Australian universities are home to some of the most sought engineering programmes. 

• Every year, students of varying nationalities, races, and religions come to study in the country. It acts as a beacon of respect, brotherhood, and tolerance.

• Student-focused courses are another reason that makes Australia a preferred study option for overseas Engineering students. 

• Australian universities strongly emphasise creating accessible, superior-quality, and convenient programmes for all students. They provide numerous scholarships for talented students and an 11-month diploma qualification considered a first-year for aspiring engineering students. 

• Australia's unique, innovative, and practical approach to engineering education captivates international students to study there.

• The country offers part-time work opportunities to students while studying that help them manage their expenses during the study duration.

Which Engineer is Best for The Future?

Engineering has been called a "profession for the future." There is no one specialisation that you can call best for the future. Each engineering specialisation collides with modern technology to benefit humankind and uniquely shape the future.

Which Type of Engineer is Highest Paid?

When comparing the national average salaries for different engineering professions, Mining Engineers are the highest-paid engineers with annual earnings of AU$120,629 on average.

• Mining Engineer - AU$120,629 per year 

• Biomedical engineer - $86,215 per year 

• Software Engineer - AU$82,155 per year 

• Construction Engineer - AU$81,384 per year 

• Robotics Engineer - AU$80,675 per year 

• Aeronautical Engineer - AU$80,641 per year 

• Automation Engineer - AU$79,467 per year

• Electrical Engineer - AU$78,586 per year

• Civil Engineer - AU$78,116 per year 

• Systems Engineer, IT - AU$77,634 per year 

• Mechanical Engineer - AU$76,243 per year

• Environmental Engineer - AU$75,879 per year 

• Electronics Engineer - AU$73,820 per year 

• Chemical Engineer - AU$72,992 per year 

• Agricultural Engineer - AU$67,500 per year 

Which Engineer is Most In Demand?

According to the Engineer's Australia Jan 2022 - Dec 2022 data, Civil engineering is the most in-demand occupation in Australia. It is the most popular engineering field in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory.

The demand for civil engineers has experienced strong growth throughout the year, witnessing a remarkable 31% increase from January to December 2022. This surge can be attributed, in part, to the government's substantial investment of $15 billion in 2022 towards the five-year pipeline of crucial public infrastructure projects.
 

According to Labour Market Insights, 13.4% job growth or creation of 8700 new job opportunities is expected in Australia's Civil Engineering profession (ANZSCO ID 2332). The government projects that Civil Engineers will grow from 64,900 IN 2021 to 73,600 in 2026.

Industrial, Mechanical, and Production engineers and mining engineers have been Australia's second and third most in-demand occupations over this period.

Which Engineering Is The Toughest?

There is no tough specialisation in Engineering. It is a matter of one personal interest and skills.

What appears to be challenging for one can be easy for another person and vice versa. Thus, your skills, interest, and career goals determine the difficulty level of any engineering specialisation.

Based on study workload and retention rate, Electrical Engineering is the most difficult of all engineering majors. Most students need help comprehending extremely advanced math, physics, and abstract electricity concepts involved in the course.

Students need to be imaginative to visualise the movement of electricity through cables, radio signals, electric and magnetic fields, etc., and creatively apply that theoretical knowledge to work.

Thus, Electrical Engineering is a complex topic and requires a lot of hard work and study to get a degree. However, if the field interests you, it can be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding careers.

With electricity becoming the biggest energy source, you can expect ample career opportunities in the coming years.

Why People Choose To Study Engineering?

Everyone knows engineering is the best option for science aspirants to build a thriving career. It is an ideal career option for naturally curious individuals who enjoy learning.

Here are a few reasons why engineering has been the most sought-after by students across the globe:

• Helping human life by applying mathematics and science forms the base of engineering. 

• Almost all the products and services we use today involve the work of engineers, and their valuable contribution will surely increase in the future.

• More than a degree, studying engineering gives a sense of purpose to one's life. Working and benefitting society makes life meaningful and pleasurable. 

• You will always have something unique to explore, embrace and upgrade your skills.

• Engineering is a challenging field where you spend most time-solving problems. You learn to overcome challenges while staying patient, determined, and focused. It is a life skill that benefits you personally and professionally.     

• Engineering benefits society in a noteworthy manner. Whether it is developing sustainable infrastructure, automated gadgets, enhanced medical treatment, environment protection, or comfortable housing, Engineers contribute to each aspect of our lives to make the world a better place to live and thrive in.

• Higher job satisfaction is another reason that makes Engineering a promising and rewarding career option. Unlike regular desk jobs, work in the sector is engaging and interesting. The satisfaction you gain by finding a solution to intricate problems is inexpressible. 

• Almost every industry needs Engineers to automate their processes, increase production capacity and improve sales and the business's bottom line.

• The best benefit of studying Engineering is endless career opportunities in diverse areas. You can explore plenty of new and exciting job positions within the industry to build a flourishing career.

• Great career opportunities come with the added benefit of high earning potential. Engineering is among the highest-paid professions in Australia. Though the pay scale varies between domains within the industry, areas like research and development are lucrative areas to pursue this profession. 

How Will Studying in Australia Benefit Your Future?

• Australia is globally known for its flawless legacy, strong industry-wide connections, famous faculties, and campus placements that feature prestigious Australian companies worldwide.

• Australian universities host various student-led programmes that give a first-hand leadership experience to students while fostering an atmosphere of teamwork, fun, and competition. Such initiatives teach invaluable knowledge and life lessons that can never be delivered in a classroom setting.

• Furthermore, the university course curriculum focuses on real-world applications that equip students to deal with corporate life's changes and stress effectively. These abilities are vital to work in engineering, which evolves daily.

• Industrial training programmes at Australian universities are an excellent opportunity for students to connect with some of the most influential national and global industry leaders. Industrial training placement programmes enable students to explore different work environments, job positions, and projects to give a more realistic understanding to students about their chosen profession.

• The universities encourage students to enrol in internships as part of their degrees. It helps them acquire industry knowledge, a hands-on understanding of theoretical concepts, and a chance to network with professionals. Based on the student's performance, competence, and knowledge, such internships usually become full-time employment post-graduation.  

• Some universities facilitate obtaining accreditation by Engineers Australia, which brings immense worth and weightage.

Why is Engineering Important in The Future?

Engineering lies at the forefront to ensure humans live a safe, abundant, and healthy life. As problem-solving is central to this profession, most of us rely on engineers for unique and dedicated solutions to day-to-day issues.

Considering their contribution to society, engineering is expected to bring many changes to enhance humankind's life.

Here we have a few reasons why engineering is vital in the future:

• From roads and bridges and manufacturing processes to delivery of vaccines, biomedical advances, pollution mitigation measures, and rechargeable batteries, engineering touches each aspect of our lives.

• Maintaining world peace is an essential requisite for the survival of humanity. Defence engineers develop defence tools and instruments to enable nations to secure, safeguard, and maintain their sovereignty.

• With the climate crisis posing survival challenges to communities worldwide, engineers are most sought after to develop technologies and innovations with minimal environmental impact. 

• In the present era of rapid-changing technology, almost every industry needs engineers to stay on top of the latest advances. In this period of fast change, engineers will be the ones shaping the future. 

• Virtually every industry requires engineers, and they increasingly require more of them for their in-demand skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and innovation. These are some of the major skills that almost every industry would need to stay competitive in the market. 

Useful Links to Explore:

• English Language Requirements for Australia
• Cultural differences you may experience in Australia
• How to find Part-Time work as a Student in Australia
• Seven Tips for Students on a Budget in Australia
• How to get a Scholarship to Study in Australia
• Driving in Australia as an International Student
• How to change your Course or Institute in Australia
• The Benefits of a Professional Year Program (PYP)
• A Complete Guide to Study in Australia
• Types of Education in Australia
• What to Study in Australia?