How to become a Mechanical Engineer

Plans, designs, develops, tests and oversees the manufacturing, operation, maintenance and installation of mechanical systems.

Main tasks

• Designs mechanical equipment, machines, tools and components for agricultural, mining, construction, manufacturing and other industrial purposes
• Plans and designs the layout, flow and processes of mechanical and process plants
• Oversees the assembly, erection and commissioning of mechanical and process plant and installations
• Studies and analyses mechanical systems and components to evaluate their performance
• Inspects, maintains and tests mechanical equipment, and investigates mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance issues

Ways in

• University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Graduate Diploma of Engineering (MEM80122); Advanced Diploma of Engineering (MEM60122); Advanced Diploma of Engineering - Planning (MEM60322); Certificate III in Engineering - Technical (MEM30522); Diploma of Engineering - Technical (MEM50222)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $135,928 a year
• About 40,100 people work in this job group now, and about 49,300 are projected by 2035. (+23.1%)
• AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

Related jobs

• Industrial Engineer
• Production or Plant Engineer
• Chemical Engineer
• Extractive Metallurgist
• Materials Engineer
• Civil Engineer

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Mechanical Engineer?

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

How much does a Mechanical Engineer earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $135,928 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Mechanical Engineer a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 23% by 2035, from about 40,100 to about 49,300 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Mechanical Engineer?

Usually. 80% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Mechanical Engineer?

AI is likely to change parts of this job. Jobs and Skills Australia rates its automation exposure as medium.

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