How to become an Engineering Production Worker

Performs a range of production process tasks to refine and treat metals and mineral ore, fire ceramics, and operate plant to produce and finish metal products such as rods, tubing and structural shapes and moulds for casting.

Main tasks

• Interprets engineering production schematics and blueprints
• Operates and monitors rolling plant, machinery and equipment to process mineral ore
• Operates and adjusts production plant to shape metal stock and castings, and cut sheet metal
• Operates computer-controlled production plant
• Operates furnaces and quenching plant to smelt and change the structure of metals
• Operates welding and electroplating plant
• Casts molten metal and operates plant to draw metal wire through dies
• Uses kilns and ovens to fire ceramics

Ways in

• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Engineering - Production Systems (MEM30119); Certificate III in Resource Processing (RII30420); Certificate II in Engineering (MEM20105); Advanced Diploma of Engineering - Planning (MEM60322); Advanced Diploma of Manufacturing Technology (MSA60108); Advanced Diploma of Process Plant Technology (PMA60116); Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade (MEM30219); Certificate IV in Engineering (MEM40119)

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $86,112 a year
• About 23,000 people work in this job group now, and about 25,700 are projected by 2035. (+11.6%)
• 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

• Crane, Hoist or Lift Operator
• Miner
• Shot Firer
• Wastewater or Water Plant Operator
• Boiler or Engine Operator
• Bulk Materials Handling Plant Operator

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Engineering Production Worker?

Ways in include: Certificate III in Engineering - Production Systems; Certificate III in Resource Processing.

How much does an Engineering Production Worker earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $86,112 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is an Engineering Production Worker a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2035, from about 23,000 to about 25,700 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become an Engineering Production Worker?

Usually not. Only 7% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Certificate III in Engineering - Production Systems; Certificate III in Resource Processing.

Will AI change the work of an Engineering Production Worker?

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