Engineering Professionals

How to become an Aerospace Engineer

Performs and supervises engineering work concerned with the design, development, manufacture, maintenance and modification of aircraft, launch vehicles and spacecraft for flight.

Main tasks

Designs and develops aircraft, launch vehicles and spacecraft, components and systems
Studies and analyses aerospace products to improve their efficiency, performance and safety
Researches and identifies new technologies, materials and methodologies that can help to improve aerospace products and systems
Tests, evaluates and assesses aircraft or spacecraft systems, prototypes and equipment to ensure compliance with regulations and standards
Analyses data to solve technical issues identified in aircraft or aerospace vehicles and their systems
Inspects damaged aircraft or spacecraft products to identify source of problems and provide possible solutions

Ways in

University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
TAFE and VET: Graduate Diploma of Engineering (MEM80122); Advanced Diploma of Aviation Non-Destructive Testing (MEA60322); Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical) (MEA40718); Diploma of Aeroskills (Avionics) (MEA50118); Diploma of Aeroskills (Mechanical) (MEA50219); Diploma of Aeroskills (Non-Destructive Testing) (MEA50522)
Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Typical full-time pay: $137,748 a year
About 17,100 people work in this job group now, and about 21,000 are projected by 2035. (+23%)
AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Questions people ask

How do I become an Aerospace Engineer?

Ways in include: Engineering degrees; Graduate Diploma of Engineering; Advanced Diploma of Aviation Non-Destructive Testing.

How much does an Aerospace Engineer earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $137,748 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Aerospace Engineer a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 23% by 2035, from about 17,100 to about 21,000 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Aerospace Engineer?

Usually. 86% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Aerospace Engineer?

AI is more likely to help with parts of this job than to do it. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as low.

Sources

Jobs and Skills Australia: Occupation data (ANZSCO), from ABS Labour Force and Census (February 2026), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Generative AI Capacity Study, interactive table data (September 2025), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Jobs and Skills Australia: Employment Projections (Victoria University) (May 2025 to May 2035), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-04
Australian Taxation Office: Taxation Statistics, Individuals Table 15A (2023-24), CC BY 2.5 AU, retrieved 2026-10-04

Updated 2026-10-04