How To Become A Mechanical Engineer In Australia?

Do you like maths, physics, and technology, and enjoy working with machines? If yes, Mechanical Engineering is the right career for you.

Mechanical engineers plan, design, develop, and maintain various industries' mechanical systems, including machinery, tools, and engines. They offer advice on development, installation, operation, and maintenance.

To become a Mechanical Engineer in Australia, you generally need a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Some states and territories also require you to be licensed.

In this blog, you will learn what a mechanical engineer is, their earning potential, degrees, courses, what they do, salary, available specialisations, job opportunities, and how you can become one in Australia.

1. What Is A Mechanical Engineer?

Mechanical engineering is a diverse sector that uses principles of motion, energy, and force to build innovative mechanical systems that enhances each aspect of our modern lives.

Mechanical engineers play a critical role in designing and building modern technologies. They design, construct, oversee and maintain large-scale industrial and mechanical processing facilities and plants.

They are majorly involved in building prototypes, testing and customising designs, analysing system malfunctions, and supervising manufacturing processes.

Mechanical Engineers work with multidisciplinary teams to find complicated practical mechanical problems, conduct research to fix them and enhance work production and efficiency.

2. What Do Mechanical Engineers Do?

Mechanical engineers work on various projects, such as building car engines in the automotive industry, designing mechanical hearts in the medical industry, and designing and enhancing the production processes at mining sites. 

The exact duties of a Mechanical Engineer depend on the industry and the project they work on. 

In general, a Mechanical Engineer performs the following tasks:

• Research on the application of different types of energy, fuels, material handling, cooling and heating processes, the storage of gases, liquids, and environmental controls 

• Apply force, energy, temperature, and motion principles to develop mechanised systems

• Analyse data and mathematical equations

• Study functional statements, project information, and organisational charts to determine the duties of workers 

• Use computer-aided design to draw plans and design and develop mechanical devices, machine parts, processes, and systems. 

• Design layout and construct industrial resources development projects such as onshore gas plants, iron ore mining facilities, and offshore platforms

• Determine requirements for new designs and surveys, create and test prototypes, and analyse the test results

• Modify designs based on test outcome

• Develop solutions to mechanical issues

• Determine the cost estimates for mechanical projects 

• Establish policies and standards as per engineering principles and safety guidelines

• Perform quality and safety inspections to ensure mechanical systems are up to the required environmental and safety standards

• Manage project team and the delivery of equipment and materials

• Monitor the functioning of manufacturing process plants, including electrical appliance and vehicle production plants, power stations, sewerage, coal handling installations, and water supply pumping stations 

• Create reports to provide the relevant data to management

3. Mechanical Engineer Skills

• Enjoy computing, technical design, and engineering activities

• Love of working with machinery 

• An analytical and data-driven approach

• Good working knowledge of MS Office, AutoCAD, and other related tools or technology 

• A logical approach to problem-solving 

• Good oral and written communication skills

• Must be adept at project management

• Able to work in compliance with standard engineering procedures and safety requirements

• Practical 

• Creative

• Works well in groups or independently 

• Able to accept responsibility

• Attention to the smallest detail

4. Mechanical Engineer Qualifications In Australia

Once you become a mechanical engineer, the next step is understanding the education and training requirements. 

To work in this role, you need a formal degree in engineering with a focus on mechanical engineering to work in this role. 

Here is what you need to qualify to become a Mechanical Engineer in Australia:

• Gain your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education

• Complete a university-level mechanical engineering course like a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)

• Gain work experience as a mechanical engineer

• Some states and territories require registration to work independently as a Mechanical Engineer. Apply for a Professional Engineer's Licence after you gain a minimum of four years of engineering practice

• Earn a postgraduate degree to specialise in mechanical engineering and move into senior roles as a manager, consultant, or project leader

• Employers highly value membership with Engineers Australia.

5. Steps To Become A Mechanical Engineer In Australia

Here are the steps to learning how to become a mechanical engineer in Australia:

Step 1: Study Mechanical Engineering

A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering is what most employers look for in a candidate. 

This course explores core mechanical engineering disciplines and teaches how to design and maintain various machines, including transport systems, power generation systems, renewable energy fields, environmental systems, biomedical and computing systems, and engine and vehicle design.

The practical learning and industry experience you gain by completing the course prepare you to use machines across many emerging and innovative sectors.

• Mechanical engineering - The University of Sydney

• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Mechanical) - The University of Adelaide

• Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) (Honours) - RMIT University

Step 2: Gain Industrial Work Experience

Job experience is equally important as education when it comes to securing a role. 

Look for internships or work in jobs with comparable skill set requirements to gain substantial work experience and improve your employability for this role.

Step 3: Become Licensed By The National Professional Engineer Register

In Australia, getting licensed as a professional Mechanical Engineer is necessary. It shows that you are aware of the strict code of ethics as laid down by Engineers Australia and are capable of working by them.

Once licensed, your name will appear on the National Professional Engineers Register, enabling you to take on more projects and get a higher salary.

Step 4: Start Your Job Hunt

After gaining the necessary qualifications and license, you are ready to start your job search. Update your resume and specify the job opening you wish to apply for. 

Apply to mechanical engineering jobs on popular online job portals, social media groups, and other places to improve your chances of job success.

Step 5: Consider Specialisation

One of the best parts of being a Mechanical Engineer is that it gives you plenty of scope for specialisation and future growth. Many engineers choose to specialise in an area of mechanical engineering such as Health Care, Robotics, Aerospace, Automotive, and Energy.

Studying for a relevant Master's degree is a great way to progress in your career, gain salary increments, and become eligible for promotions.

Many universities offer advanced-degree courses to pursue further study in their chosen area of specialisation.

Master of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) - RMIT University

This postgraduate qualification focuses on multidisciplinary and project-based learning to help develop professional skills such as research, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and leadership, and gain specialist knowledge in the following areas:

• Advanced CAE

• Advanced control

• Advanced dynamics

• Advanced solid mechanics

• Advanced thermal fluids

After completing this degree course, you can work as a designer, consultant, manager, technical specialist, or in management and leadership roles across various innovative industries.

Industry Bodies:

• Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers Australia

• Engineers Australia

6. What Subjects Are Needed To Become A Mechanical Engineer In High School?

The professional journey to becoming a Mechanical Engineer starts at the school level. Knowledge of what subjects are needed to become an engineer in Australia can assist you when taking professional degree courses. 

Most universities require students to complete their Year 12 education in physics, mathematics, chemistry, and English to enrol in a mechanical engineering degree.

7. How To Become A Mechanical Engineer Without A Degree?

Although large companies generally look for mechanical degree holders for this position, in some small companies or start-ups, you can enter this profession without a degree. 

For this, you need to do a low-level engineering-related job and display a work ethic and competency for several years. 

However, completing a professional qualification is essential if you seek career advancement in the later stages of your career.

8. Working Environment For A Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers usually work during construction projects in various settings, including workshops, offices, factories, production plants, and building sites. They generally work standard business hours and may also require travel to meet with clients to view work progress on manufacturing sites.

Mechanical engineers work in a team environment with professionals from varying backgrounds, depending on their project needs. 

For example, they work with architects in designing air conditioning plants and consult doctors, biomedical engineers, and surgeons when designing the valves of a mechanical heart. Further, they work with metallurgists and mining engineers for a gold processing plant.

While at work, they use various manual and power-driven tools and equipment, computers, Computer-Aided Manufacturing, and Computer-Aided Design technologies to test machines' energy consumption and strength.

Mechanical engineers may also engage in bending or lifting tools and machines frequently. They usually wear safety equipment, such as overalls, safety glasses, hard hats, and hearing protection, to work safely. Their work environment may involve risk hazards.

9. Employment Opportunities For A Mechanical Engineer

There is hardly any industry that doesn't need mechanical engineers to design and develop reliable and functional machinery and mechanical systems.

You can find them in transportation, mining, minerals, material processing, manufacturing, power generation, environment, industrial equipment and robotics, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, aviation, and mechanical handling.

When considering the scale and diversity of the industry, there may be different types of roles available for mechanical engineers to choose from. Some of these are:

• Design, manufacture, and test motor vehicles

• Design and install air conditioning systems

• Design materials handling systems used in the mining, and FMCG industries

• Construct and maintain production plants, renewable energy, and power generation systems 

• Design transportation systems, including trams and trains

• Develop and enhance mechanical systems such as automatic control systems and biomedical devices in the pharmaceutical industry

• Execute new manufacturing methods in the electronics industry

• Develop engineering computer software and perform research and development in technical institutions

• Manage engineering works in both private engineering firms, small start-ups, and large organisations, including federal, state, territory, and local government agencies

• Design and develop environmental pollution control devices, underwater exploration, clean combustion, and space vehicles

Some mechanical engineers also work self-employed as contractors or consultants.

10. Areas Of Specialisations For Mechanical Engineers

Their exceptional problem-solving, numeracy and analytical abilities make them suitable for a diverse range of mechanical engineering jobs within the field of mechanical engineering and in closely related ones.

After gaining extensive experience, they may consider developing specialised knowledge in a sub-discipline of mechanical engineerings, such as:

• Research and development

• Building and construction services

• Acoustics and Noise control

• Engineering design

• Medical devices

• Production plant and maintenance

• Environmental pollution control and biotechnology

• Space vehicle engineering

• Power generation and energy construction

• Air conditioning and refrigeration

• Automated airport facilities

• Automatic control systems

• Biomedical implant design

• Mineral and oil exploration

Specialised Roles For Mechanical Engineers

• Manufacturing Systems Engineer: Designs precise and high-performance systems and equipment to change raw materials into finished products with minimum wastage of time, energy, and materials.

• Industrial Designer: Designs and manufacture various user-friendly, functional, and aesthetically appealing industrial products to perform their intended use.

• Safety Engineer: Apply scientific and analytical thinking to ensure the safety of workers in the manufacturing industry. They observe and examine production methods to ensure that the machinery and practices operate at their safest capacity.

• Aerospace Engineer: Use their engineering knowledge and engineering to build air vehicles. From preparing a plan and design to its development and testing, they work in all phases of aircraft development.

11. How Much Does A Mechanical Engineer Earn In Australia?

According to Pay Scale, the average mechanical engineer salary in Australia is AU$ 74,019 per year or equivalent to AU$ 31.86 per hour.

The mechanical engineer's salary varies based on several factors, such as:

• Years of experience

• Level of role

• Place of work

• Area of Specialisation 

• Type of industry you work in

Estimated Annual Salary Based on Experience

• Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (<1-year experience): AU$62,382 

• Early career Mechanical Engineers (1-4 years of experience): AU$70,446 

• Mid-career Mechanical Engineers (5-9 years of experience): AU$88,379 

• Experienced Mechanical Engineers (10-19 years of experience): AU$98,372 

Estimated Annual Salary Based on Location

• Brisbane: $133,980 per year

• Canberra: $121,751 per year

• Perth: $115,692 per year

• Melbourne: $111,208 per year

• Sydney: $108,951 per year

• Adelaide: $96,695 per year

12. Job Prospects For Mechanical Engineers In Australia

From initial plans and material procurement to building, testing, and installing the finished product, Mechanical engineers are heavily involved in all aspects of machinery development.

Their vital contribution makes them integral to the smooth and efficient operation of Australia's machine manufacturing industry.

From the food container in your kitchen to the train to ride to work, these versatile professionals are behind the innovative technologies that make our day-to-day life simple and convenient.

Furthermore, they address critical challenges countries face related to climate change, supply chain issues, and increasing environmental pollution.

The rising demand to innovate sustainable energy fields in aerospace, biomedical, environmental, AI, and Nanotechnology projects future growth along with diverse and ample employment opportunities for Mechanical Engineers.

According to the Labour Market, the number of workers in this profession will grow moderately, reaching 28,800 by 2026.

Working Arrangements

Around 92% of Mechanical Engineers work 45 hours a week full-time. (All other jobs average: 44 hours per week).

Industry Employment

• Manufacturing: 30.2%

• Professional, scientific and technical services: 27.4%

• Mining: 10.3%

• Construction: 7.9%

• Other Industries (electricity, gas, water, waste services): 24.5%

Employment Across Australia

Victoria and Western Australia have the largest share of employment.

• New South Wales: 26.1%

• Victoria: 29.4%

• Queensland: 17.3%

• South Australia: 7.0%

• Western Australia: 17.5%

• Tasmania: 1.2%

• Northern Territory: 0.6%

• Australian Capital Territory: 0.8%

Worker's Age and Gender Profile

The average age of employed professionals is 38 years, most of them between 25 and 34. (All other jobs average: 40 years). 

Females constitute only 7% of the workforce. (All other jobs average: 48%)

13. Conclusion

Being a Mechanical Engineer is a versatile, exciting and rewarding profession that gives you work opportunities in almost every industry.

Whether you are passionate about mobile technology, communication, energy, or health care, there are countless positions for you to fill.

Furthermore, this high-demand and lucrative profession present endless opportunities to grow and move up your career ladder.

If you find the role interesting, then take the first step and complete a Mechanical Engineering degree to get started.

Useful Links to Explore:

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• 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
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• What to Study in Australia?