Study Mechanical Engineering in Australia to Build an Amazing Career

The engineering vacancy growth rate in Australia increased by 80% from January 2021 to December 2022, with industrial and mechanical engineers the second most in demand. This increase in need is due to economy growth, manufacturing initiatives, and a focus on innovation and technology. Demand is highest for mechanical engineers in the aerospace, defence, and automotive industries. For example, the demand for automotive engineers is expected to increase by 34,750 new jobs by 2029.

If you’re wanting to create a strong and secure career, IDP can help. We are experts at helping choose courses, the perfect institution, and even finding accommodation.

Contact us at IDP today to talk about your future. With a focus on creating a robust future, our education counsellors want you to have clarity and confidence in your education.

A mechanical engineer designs, plan, organises and manages the creation, assembly, commissioning, operations and maintenance of mechanical processing plants and installations. This career requires a tertiary degree of a bachelors’ or higher.

There are a range of specialisations that you can choose, including:

• Space vehicle engineer

• Race car engineer

• Building industry

• Automated airport facilities

• Biomedical implant design

• Mineral and oil exploration

• Heating and ventilation

• Air conditioning and refrigeration

• Manufacturing industry

• Power generation and energy construction

This is a role that’s growing very strongly in Australia. From 2011 to 2016, the number of mechanical engineers grew from 10,200 to 14,000. Many of these engineers work in Western Australia, with about 12% in the mining industry, often in a FIFO basis (fly in, fly out). However, overall, mechanical engineers work in manufacturing and professional, scientific and technical services.

In a reflection of the type of role and how it’s carried out, most roles are full time, and 95% of mechanical engineers are male. Weekly pay is higher than average, between AU$2400 and $2500.

To apply for mechanical engineering roles in Australia, you will be expected to have a minimum IELTS score of six across listening, reading, written and spoken English.

In order to study in Australia towards your mechanical engineering degree, each institution will have their own IELTS standards, but expect required scores of around six. Each university will outline their minimum standards on the course information page.

Skill assessment process for mechanical engineering

If you have a relevant tertiary degree gained overseas, you may be eligible to migrate without completing an equivalent Australian qualification. Engineers Australia complete a skills assessment to ensure your degree and skills are commensurate with the role/ education in Australia.

To apply for the skills assessment:

1. Read the migration skills assessment booklet.

2. Choose your assessment pathway. There are six options. One, two, three, four and five are for degrees obtained in Australia or from countries that are signatories to an accord or have recognised qualifications. (Washington, Sydney, Dublin accord). Pathway six is via a competency demonstration report (CDR).

3. Create a logon, submit all relevant documents, and submit your application along with any fees.

These four-year degrees give you a solid grounding in a broad range of engineering disciplines and concepts. This spans from fluids and materials, to controls and tribology. As the degree continues, you specialise into your area of interest. By the end of your bachelor degree, you’ll be developing expertise in mechanical engineering.

• Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

• Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering

• Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Hons)

These two year (full time) or three year (part time) postgraduate courses give you the advanced technical knowledge needed to be highly competitive in the workforce. You’ll also develop critical thinking skills that are so vital in any engineering field. These highly specialised master degrees allow you to drill down into areas of knowledge such as energy conversion, advanced flow modelling, control of mechatronic systems, or internal combustion areas.

• Master of Mechanical Engineering

• Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering

• Master of Professional Engineering

• Master of Philosophy (Engineering)

Mechanical engineers are on the medium to long term skill shortage list for Australia. This means that you can apply for the following visas, providing you meet the criteria:

• 186 Visa - Employer Nomination Scheme visa: This permanent visa allows you to stay in Australia as a resident

• 189 Visa - Skilled Independent (Points-tested): This permanent visa allows you to stay in Australia as a resident

• 190 Visa - Skilled Nominated: This permanent visa allows you to stay in Australia as a resident

• 485 Visa - Temporary Graduate Work: This gives you 18 months to four years to find a relevant mechanical engineering role

• 489 Visa - Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa: Family sponsored or State/ Territory nominated: This visa could be a pathway to a permanent visa

• 482 Visa - Temporary Skill Shortage – Medium Term Stream: This visa could be a pathway to a permanent visa

• 187 Visa - Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme: This permanent visa allows you to stay in Australia as a resident

• 494 Visa - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa: This visa could be a pathway to a permanent visa

• 491 Visa - Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa, State or Territory nominated, or family sponsored: This visa could be a pathway to a permanent visa

Many universities in Australia offer engineering degrees. According to the QS Subject Ranking for 2022, the top three universities in Australia for a mechanical engineering degree are:

Monash University

• Offers a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Hons) and Master of Advanced Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)

• Work-ready degree

• Industry contacts across the globe

University of New South Wales (UNSW)

• Offers a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Mechanical and/ or Manufacturing Engineering), Master of Engineering Science (Manufacturing Engineering & Management), and Graduate Diploma of Engineering Science (Mechanical Engineering)

• $67 million UNSW School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering school provides state of the art facilities

• World-leading research facilities and staff

University of Sydney

• Offers BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering and Master or Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering

• A focus on modern, digital technologies; mechanical engineering is changing rapidly and this is a degree that lets you hit the ground running.

• A six week internship to get real life experience- and contacts in the industry.

Contact IDP to find the perfect university

IDP has years of experience helping students find their dream course. Contact us for help choosing your course and institution in Australia. Start your dream career today.