How to become a Naval Architect

Designs and oversees the construction and repair of marine craft and floating structures.

Main tasks

• Oversees the design, construction, repair, conversion or decommissioning of marine craft and floating structures
• Uses specialist CAD software to design marine craft and floating structures, taking into account factors such as stability, strength and performance
• Designs and coordinates the build of offshore floating structures such as offshore drilling platforms, floating units and subsea infrastructure installations
• Prepares detailed plans, specifications and cost estimates to establish basic characteristics of marine craft, such as size, weight and speed
• Ensures marine craft and floating structures comply with design specifications and safety and regulatory standards
• Collaborates with engineers and other Professionals to coordinate the design and layout of marine craft and floating structure systems, equipment, and machinery

Ways in

• University: Architecture & Built Environment degrees, Offered by 24 universities in Australia
• TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction (MEM30719)
• Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Typical full-time pay: $137,748 a year
• About 17,100 people work in this job group now, and about 21,000 are projected by 2035. (+23%)
• 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.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Naval Architect?

Ways in include: Architecture & Built Environment degrees; Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction.

How much does a Naval Architect earn in Australia?

Median full-time pay is $137,748 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Is a Naval Architect a growing career in Australia?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 23% by 2035, from about 17,100 to about 21,000 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).

Do you need a degree to become a Naval Architect?

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

Will AI change the work of a Naval Architect?

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