Deciding which major to pick for your Bachelor of Engineering in Australia is one of those choices that feels impossibly high-stakes. I remember my cousin calling me in a panic the night before his preference deadline, trying to decide between civil and mechanical engineering. He’d read endless forum posts, watched YouTube videos, and somehow ended up more confused than when he started.
I’m not an engineer myself. I’m finishing my Master’s at the University of Melbourne in a different field. But I’ve spent three years surrounded by engineering students, worked alongside them at campus jobs, and watched them graduate into very different job markets depending on which major they chose. Some walked into graduate programs within weeks. Others spent months applying for anything remotely related to their degree.
So here’s everything I’ve learned about choosing an engineering major in Australia, based on real outcomes I’ve witnessed rather than generic career advice.
Why Your Engineering Major Actually Matters
Let me be direct about something. Unlike some degrees where your major barely affects employment, engineering specialisations lead to genuinely different careers. A civil engineer and a software engineer might both have “Bachelor of Engineering” on their degree, but they’re qualified for completely different jobs.
This matters because switching engineering disciplines after graduation is difficult. Not impossible, but you’d essentially need additional study or start from entry-level in a new field. The major you choose now shapes your career options for years to come.
That said, I’ve also seen students paralyse themselves with overthinking. Engineering fundamentals overlap significantly in the first year or two, and many universities allow major changes early in the degree. You don’t need to have your entire life figured out right now.
Overview of Engineering Majors in Australia
Most Australian universities offer similar engineering majors, though exact names and structures vary. Here’s what you’ll typically find.
Civil Engineering
Civil engineers design and build infrastructure: roads, bridges, buildings, water systems, tunnels. It’s one of the oldest engineering disciplines and remains one of the most consistently employable in Australia.
What you’ll study: Structural analysis, geotechnical engineering, hydraulics, construction management, transport engineering, materials science.
Where graduates work: Construction companies, government infrastructure departments, consulting firms, mining companies, urban development authorities.
Job market reality: Strong and stable. Australia constantly builds infrastructure, and that requires civil engineers. The work often involves site visits, so expect less desk time than some other majors. Regional and mining projects can offer higher salaries but require relocation.
Graduate salaries typically range from $65,000 to $80,000, with experienced engineers in project management roles earning significantly more.
Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering is the broadest traditional discipline. It covers anything that moves, heats, cools, or converts energy. This breadth is both a strength and a weakness: you can work in many industries, but you’re also competing with graduates from those other industries.
What you’ll study: Thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, machine design, manufacturing processes, materials engineering, control systems.
Where graduates work: Manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning), mining, defence, energy sector, consulting.
Job market reality: Decent but varied. Australia’s manufacturing sector has shrunk over the decades, which affects some traditional mechanical roles. But mechanical engineers are versatile, and the skills transfer across industries. Mining and resources still hire plenty of mechanical engineers, especially for maintenance and operations roles.
Graduate salaries typically range from $65,000 to $78,000, varying by industry and location.
Electrical Engineering
Electrical engineers work with power systems, electrical machines, and high-voltage applications. This is distinct from electronics engineering, though the two often overlap. Think power generation, transmission lines, industrial electrical systems.
What you’ll study: Circuit theory, power systems, electrical machines, control systems, electromagnetics, power electronics.
Where graduates work: Power utilities, renewable energy companies, mining operations, manufacturing, consulting firms, government infrastructure.
Job market reality: Strong, particularly with the renewable energy transition. Australia is building solar farms, wind projects, and battery storage at scale, all of which need electrical engineers. Traditional power utilities also have ageing workforces, creating replacement demand.
Graduate salaries typically range from $68,000 to $82,000, with power and mining sectors often paying at the higher end.
Software Engineering
Software engineering sits at the intersection of engineering and IT. It applies engineering principles to software development: systematic design, testing, quality assurance, and lifecycle management. Not quite the same as a computer science degree, though there’s significant overlap.
What you’ll study: Programming, data structures, algorithms, software architecture, databases, operating systems, software project management.
Where graduates work: Tech companies, banks, consulting firms, startups, any organisation that builds software products. Which is basically every large company now.
Job market reality: Strong overall, though the market has cooled from the pandemic-era frenzy. Graduates with actual coding skills and project portfolios find work. Those who scraped through without really learning to code struggle. The field rewards demonstrated ability more than credentials.
Graduate salaries typically range from $70,000 to $85,000, with top tech companies paying even more for strong candidates. I’ve covered this field in more detail in my guide on Bachelor of IT in Australia, which has significant overlap with software engineering.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers work with processes that transform raw materials into useful products. Think refineries, pharmaceutical manufacturing, food processing, water treatment. It’s a smaller field in Australia but with specialised demand.
What you’ll study: Chemical process design, thermodynamics, reaction engineering, separation processes, process control, safety engineering.
Where graduates work: Oil and gas, mining and minerals processing, pharmaceutical companies, food and beverage manufacturing, water utilities, consulting.
Job market reality: More niche than other disciplines. Mining and resources dominate chemical engineering employment in Australia. When commodity prices are high, jobs are plentiful. When they drop, hiring slows. Less affected by the tech boom-bust cycles, but more exposed to resource industry fluctuations.
Graduate salaries typically range from $70,000 to $85,000, with mining and resources often paying premium rates.
Mechatronics / Robotics Engineering
Mechatronics combines mechanical, electrical, and software engineering to create automated systems and robotics. It’s a newer discipline that’s grown significantly as automation expands.
What you’ll study: Mechanical systems, electronics, programming, control theory, sensors and actuators, robotics design, embedded systems.
Where graduates work: Manufacturing automation, defence, research organisations, robotics companies, mining (autonomous vehicles), agricultural technology.
Job market reality: Growing but still relatively small in Australia. The skills are valued, but dedicated “mechatronics” roles are less common than general mechanical or electrical positions. Many graduates end up working in one of the component disciplines rather than pure mechatronics roles.
Graduate salaries typically range from $68,000 to $82,000, varying significantly by employer type.
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineering applies engineering principles to healthcare: medical devices, prosthetics, imaging technology, tissue engineering. It’s a field that sounds exciting but has a complex job market in Australia.
What you’ll study: Biomechanics, medical imaging, biomedical signals, medical device design, tissue engineering, regulatory requirements.
Where graduates work: Medical device companies, hospitals (clinical engineering), research organisations, pharmaceutical companies, regulatory bodies.
Job market reality: Challenging in Australia. The medical device industry here is small compared to the US or Europe. Many biomedical engineering graduates end up in adjacent fields like mechanical engineering or move into research roles that require postgraduate study. It’s a passion-driven choice rather than a pragmatic one for most students.
Graduate salaries vary widely, roughly $60,000 to $75,000, depending heavily on the specific role secured.
Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineers work on sustainability challenges: pollution control, waste management, water treatment, environmental impact assessment. Growing relevance as climate concerns intensify.
What you’ll study: Water and wastewater treatment, air quality, solid waste management, environmental impact assessment, hydrology, sustainable design.
Where graduates work: Environmental consulting firms, government environmental agencies, water utilities, mining companies (environmental compliance), renewable energy developers.
Job market reality: Growing but competitive. Environmental consulting is project-based, which can mean uneven workloads. Government roles offer stability but are competitive. Mining companies hire environmental engineers for compliance and rehabilitation work.
Graduate salaries typically range from $60,000 to $75,000, with consulting and mining roles often at the higher end.
How to Choose: Factors That Actually Matter
Now for the practical advice. Here’s how I’d approach this decision based on what I’ve seen work.
1. Start with Your Interests, Not Just Job Prospects
I know everyone wants to know “which major has the best jobs?” But here’s the thing: engineering degrees are hard. Four years of challenging maths, physics, and technical content. If you’re grinding through subjects you hate because someone told you that field has good employment, you’re going to have a miserable time.
Every major I’ve listed has graduate employment above the university average. The question isn’t “which one has jobs?” but “which one has jobs I’d actually want?”
If you enjoy building physical things and don’t mind being outdoors, civil or mechanical makes sense. If you’re drawn to computers and logic, software or electrical might suit you better. If you care deeply about sustainability, environmental or renewable-focused electrical could align with your values.
2. Research the Day-to-Day Reality
“Aerospace engineer” sounds glamorous until you learn that most aerospace roles in Australia involve maintenance scheduling or compliance documentation rather than designing spacecraft. “Biomedical engineer” sounds meaningful until you realise the job market is tiny.
Talk to actual working engineers in fields you’re considering. LinkedIn is useful for this. Ask what their typical day involves, not just what their job title says. The gap between perception and reality is often significant.
3. Consider the Four-Year Investment
Engineering degrees in Australia typically run four years, sometimes with an integrated Honours component. That’s a significant commitment in time and money.
Total costs for international students:
| University Type | Annual Fees | 4-Year Total |
| Group of Eight | $45,000 – $55,000 | $180,000 – $220,000 |
| Other metro | $35,000 – $45,000 | $140,000 – $180,000 |
| Regional | $28,000 – $38,000 | $112,000 – $152,000 |
Add living costs of roughly $20,000-$25,000 per year and you’re looking at a $200,000-$300,000 total investment. That’s serious money. Make sure you’re choosing a field you’ll actually want to work in for long enough to justify it.
For strategies to reduce costs, check my guides on cheapest bachelor degrees by state and scholarships for engineering students.
4. Look at Where You Want to Live
Job markets vary significantly by location:
Sydney: Strong for civil (infrastructure boom), good for software, decent across most fields.
Melbourne: Diverse engineering economy, good for mechanical, civil, and software.
Brisbane/Queensland: Mining services, resources engineering, civil construction.
Perth: Heavily weighted toward mining and resources. Excellent for mining-adjacent disciplines, less diverse otherwise.
Adelaide: Defence industry concentration, naval shipbuilding creating specific opportunities.
Regional areas: Mining sites, infrastructure projects, often higher pay but lifestyle trade-offs.
If you’re set on living in a particular city long-term, research which engineering fields have the strongest presence there.
5. Check University Strengths
Different universities have different engineering strengths, often tied to their research focus and industry partnerships:
UNSW: Strong reputation across most engineering fields, particularly civil and electrical.
University of Melbourne: Broad engineering program with strong industry connections.
Monash: Good for mechanical, civil, and materials engineering.
University of Sydney: Strong in civil, electrical, and biomedical.
QUT: Known for practical, industry-connected engineering education.
UWA: Strong mining and resources focus given Perth location.
Adelaide: Growing defence engineering links, naval architecture.
Industry partnerships matter because they affect internship availability, graduate program recruitment, and the relevance of what you learn.
For more on selecting universities, read my guide on how to choose the right Australian university.
The Internship Factor: More Important Than Your Major
Here’s something I’ve seen repeatedly: internship experience matters more than which specific engineering major you chose. An electrical engineering graduate with two internships gets hired faster than a civil engineering graduate with none, even if civil has slightly better overall employment statistics.
Australian engineering firms heavily favour graduates with practical experience. Many graduate programs explicitly prefer or require previous internship work. Vacation programs at major companies are competitive pipelines to graduate roles.
Start thinking about internships from first year, not third year. University careers services, engineering society connections, and direct company applications all help.
More on building experience in my guide on internships vs part-time professional jobs and building local experience without a full-time job.
Double Majors and Combined Degrees
Some universities offer combined degrees or double majors within engineering. Common combinations:
Engineering/Commerce: Adds business skills, useful for management track careers or consulting.
Engineering/Science: Deepens technical knowledge in a specific area like physics or maths.
Double engineering major: Some programs let you combine, say, mechanical and electrical into a mechatronics-style qualification.
These usually take five years instead of four, adding cost and time. They’re worth considering if you have genuine interest in both fields, but don’t do them just to hedge your bets. Employers care more about depth than breadth at graduate level.
What If You Choose Wrong?
This fear keeps students awake at night, so let me address it directly.
Within the first two years: Most universities allow major changes without significant penalty. Engineering fundamentals overlap, so switching from mechanical to civil or electrical to software doesn’t mean starting over.
After graduation: Harder but not impossible. Engineers do switch fields, usually by starting in roles where disciplines overlap, getting relevant certifications, or returning for postgraduate study. Software engineering is actually the easiest to enter from other disciplines because demonstrated coding ability matters more than credentials.
The fallback: All accredited engineering degrees provide pathways to professional engineering status through Engineers Australia. Even if your specific field contracts, the problem-solving, analytical, and project management skills transfer across industries.
Choosing wrong isn’t ideal, but it’s also not the catastrophe students imagine. Most engineers I know work in roles somewhat adjacent to their exact degree specification anyway.
Accreditation: Non-Negotiable Requirement
Whatever major you choose, ensure the program is accredited by Engineers Australia. This matters because:
- Accredited degrees provide the educational component for Chartered Professional Engineer status
- Some employers require or prefer accredited qualifications
- Migration skills assessment for engineers requires accredited qualification or equivalent demonstration
All major Australian university engineering programs are accredited, but check before enrolling, especially with newer or private providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which engineering major has the best job prospects in Australia?
Civil and electrical engineering consistently show strong employment due to ongoing infrastructure investment and the renewable energy transition. Software engineering also performs well when the tech market is healthy. But “best” depends on what you’re measuring. Civil might have more total jobs, but software often has higher starting salaries. Choose based on genuine interest combined with market reality, not just employment statistics.
Can I switch engineering majors after starting my degree?
Yes, most universities allow major changes within the first two years without significant penalty. The core engineering subjects in year one are similar across majors, so switching after first year usually doesn’t mean repeating much content. Switching later becomes more difficult because specialised subjects diverge significantly.
Is mechanical engineering still worth studying in Australia?
Yes, but understand the market has changed. Traditional manufacturing has declined, so pure mechanical design roles are less common. However, mechanical engineers work across mining, energy, defence, HVAC, and consulting. The versatility is valuable, but you’ll likely need to be flexible about which industry you work in. Combining mechanical skills with automation or software knowledge strengthens your position.
How important is the university ranking for engineering employment?
Less important than students think, more important than universities admit. Engineers Australia accreditation means all degrees meet professional standards. That said, Go8 universities do have stronger industry recruitment pipelines and brand recognition with large employers. However, I’ve seen graduates from regional universities with good internship experience get hired ahead of Go8 graduates without it. Experience and demonstrated skills matter more than ranking.
Should I study software engineering or computer science?
For most industry jobs, either works. Software engineering has more emphasis on engineering methodology, project management, and systems thinking. Computer science tends to be more theoretical with stronger algorithm and computational foundations. If you want to work in traditional software development, either is fine. If you’re interested in research, AI/ML theory, or academia, computer science might be slightly better. If you’re drawn to large-scale systems and engineering rigour, software engineering could suit better.
Is four years of engineering worth it compared to a three-year IT degree?
Depends on your goals. Engineering provides broader technical foundations and professional accreditation pathways that IT degrees don’t offer. For roles in power systems, infrastructure, manufacturing, or traditional engineering industries, you need the engineering degree. For pure software development, an IT degree often suffices and saves you a year. Engineering graduates sometimes command higher starting salaries, but not always enough to offset the extra year of fees plus foregone income.
Final Thoughts
Choosing your major for a Bachelor of Engineering in Australia deserves serious thought, but it doesn’t need to paralyse you. Every major I’ve discussed leads to professional careers with decent salaries. The differences matter, but they’re not as dramatic as anxious forum posts make them seem.
My cousin, the one who called me panicking? He eventually chose civil engineering, partly because he liked the idea of seeing physical things he’d helped build. Two years in, he’s enjoying it, has a vacation placement lined up, and no longer lies awake wondering if he chose wrong. That’s what making a decision and committing to it looks like.
Focus on finding the intersection of what genuinely interests you and what has reasonable market demand. Then commit. Get internships. Build skills. The specific major matters less than what you do with the opportunity it provides.
If you’re still comparing options, read my overview of best bachelor degrees in Australia for international students. And if the finances are stressing you out, check my guide on financial requirements for student visas to make sure you’ve got a realistic budget for the four-year journey.
A Bachelor of Engineering in Australia opens doors across industries and countries. The major you choose shapes which doors, but they’re all leading somewhere worthwhile if you put in the work.
