How to become a Water Engineer
Plans, designs, researches, manages and oversees water-related engineering projects involving the supply of clean water, prevention of flood damage, and disposal of wastewater and sewage.
Main tasks
- Plans, develops and improves water facilities and equipment, such as sewers, pipes and pumping stations
- Develops plans for controlling runoff and overland flow to minimise the risk of contamination of nearby bodies of water, such as rivers and lakes, by polluted water
- Studies water quality to identify and characterise sources of water pollution
- Uses computer models to simulate risks of flooding and propose engineering solutions
- Evaluates the operation and maintenance of water or wastewater systems to identify ways to improve their efficiency in a sustainable way
- Designs building features to ensure the supply or removal of fluids in a safe and efficient way
- Designs water or wastewater treatment plants, sewage systems, stormwater capture and treated water reuse schemes
Ways in
- University: Engineering degrees, Offered by 34 universities in Australia
- TAFE and VET: Certificate III in Plumbing (CPC32420); Certificate III in Water Industry Operations (NWP30222); Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services (CPC40920); Certificate IV in Water Industry Operations (NWP40120); Diploma of Hydraulic Services Design (CPC50620); Diploma of Water Industry Operations (NWP50118)
- Licence or registration: Registration or licensing may be required.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Typical full-time pay: $115,284 a year
- About 76,300 people work in this job group now, and about 92,300 are projected by 2035. (+21%)
- 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 Water Engineer?
Ways in include: Engineering degrees; Certificate III in Plumbing; Certificate III in Water Industry Operations.
How much does a Water Engineer earn in Australia?
Median full-time pay is $115,284 a year (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Is a Water Engineer a growing career in Australia?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 21% by 2035, from about 76,300 to about 92,300 people (Jobs and Skills Australia).
Do you need a degree to become a Water Engineer?
Usually. 89% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Water 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