How to become a Chemical Engineer

Designs and develops chemical process systems, equipment and specifications for the construction and operation of chemical plants and commercial-scale production, including transportation of chemicals, materials and energy. Supervises industrial processing and fabrication of products undergoing physical and chemical changes.

Main tasks

• Researches, designs, develops and improves chemical processes, process systems, reactions and materials
• Identifies ways to optimise performance of chemical equipment and processes while ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations
• Develops operating procedures, safety protocols and methods to deal with by-products and waste materials, and troubleshoots problems with chemical manufacturing processes
• Collaborates with plant designers to develop chemical plant specifications, equipment and control instruments for the production process
• Supervises the fabrication and installation of equipment and systems for chemical processes and transportation
• Monitors and analyses data from processes, and conducts research and experiments to develop new chemical processes and improve existing ones
• Provides technical support and guidance to staff involved in chemical processes and plant operations
• May use computer models to identify cost-effective production methods while minimising risks

Ways in

• University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Graduate Diploma of Engineering (MEM80122)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $148,148 a year
• About 7,100 people work in this job group now, and about 8,800 are projected by 2035. (+23.2%)
• 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.

Related jobs

• Extractive Metallurgist
• Materials Engineer
• Civil Engineer
• Geotechnical Engineer
• Rail Engineer
• Structural Engineer

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Chemical Engineer?

Ways in include: Engineering degrees; Graduate Diploma of Engineering.

How much does a Chemical Engineer earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $148,148 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Chemical Engineer a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 23% by 2035, from about 7,100 to about 8,800 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Chemical Engineer?

Usually. 92% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Chemical 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