How to become a Marine Engineer

Controls and manages the operation, maintenance and repair of a ship's machinery and equipment.

Main tasks

• Manages the operation and maintenance of a ship's mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, steam-generating and fire control systems
• Conducts regular inspections of machinery and equipment, and diagnoses issues on board the ship
• Plans, coordinates, supervises and carries out repair and maintenance activities
• Ensures compliance with safety and environmental regulations and procedures in the operation of equipment
• Keeps records of equipment performance, fuel consumption and maintenance activities
• Orders and maintains inventory of spare parts and supplies for the ship's machinery

Ways in

• University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
• University: Agriculture & Environment degrees, Offered by 27 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Advanced Diploma of Marine Engineering (Class 1) (MAR60120); Diploma of Marine Engineering (MAR50120); Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 Near Coastal) (MAR30824); Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 3 Near Coastal) (MAR20424); Certificate IV in Maritime Operations (Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 Near Coastal) (MAR40224)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing is required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $174,980 a year
• About 10,500 people work in this job group now, and about 11,800 are projected by 2035. (+12%)
• 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

• Marine Pilot
• Marine Surveyor
• Master Fisher
• Ship's Master
• Ship's Officer

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Marine Engineer?

Ways in include: Engineering degrees; Agriculture & Environment degrees; Advanced Diploma of Marine Engineering (Class 1); Diploma of Marine Engineering.

How much does a Marine Engineer earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $174,980 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Marine Engineer a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 12% by 2035, from about 10,500 to about 11,800 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Marine Engineer?

Not always. 31% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Engineering degrees; Agriculture & Environment degrees; Advanced Diploma of Marine Engineering (Class 1); Diploma of Marine Engineering.

Will AI change the work of a Marine 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