Engineering Professionals

How to become an Electrical Engineer

Designs, develops, implements and supervises the manufacture, installation, operation and maintenance of equipment, machines and systems used for the generation, distribution, utilisation and control of electric power from renewable and non-renewable sources.

Main tasks

Plans, designs and tests power stations and equipment used for the generation, distribution, transmission and utilisation of electric power
Develops new ways to store power generated by renewable and sustainable energy sources, such as solar, wind and sea
Determines the type and arrangement of circuits, networks, transformers, circuit-breakers, transmission lines and other equipment
Installs and tests electrical systems and processes
Uses software and performs detailed calculations to plan, design and develop manufacturing, construction and installation standards and specifications to improve electrical systems
Leads and coordinates electrical infrastructure projects in industries such as transportation, construction and manufacturing
Provides technical expertise in electrical service design, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations
May specialise in research in areas such as power generation and transmission systems, transformers, switchgear and electric motors, telemetry, and control systems
May manage and integrate renewable energy sources, including battery storage, into the electricity grid

Ways in

University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
TAFE and VET: Graduate Diploma of Engineering (MEM80122); Advanced Diploma of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering (UEE62525); Advanced Diploma of Electrical - Engineering (UEE62220); Advanced Diploma of Electrical Engineering - Coal Mining (UEE62320); Advanced Diploma of Electrical Systems Engineering (UEE63020); Advanced Diploma of Engineering (MEM60122); Advanced Diploma of Engineering - Explosion protection (UEE61222); Advanced Diploma of Engineering - Planning (MEM60322)
Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Typical full-time pay: $132,756 a year
About 32,200 people work in this job group now, and about 39,300 are projected by 2035. (+21.8%)
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 Electrical Engineer?

Ways in include: Engineering degrees; Graduate Diploma of Engineering; Advanced Diploma of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering.

How much does an Electrical Engineer earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $132,756 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Electrical Engineer a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 22% by 2035, from about 32,200 to about 39,300 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Electrical Engineer?

Usually. 83% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Electrical 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