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Study Electrical Engineering

Career Outcomes

Electrical Engineering Technician (312312): currently on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

Electrical Engineering Draftsperson (312311): currently on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

Industry Overview

Technicians and trade workers perform a variety of skilled tasks, applying broad or in-depth technical, trade or industry specific knowledge, often in support of scientific, engineering, building and manufacturing activities. (Source: ABS)

The Electrical Engineering sector includes the design and application of electrical systems. The Electrical Engineering workforce is employed across a wide variety of industries such as Defence, Manufacturing, and Electricity Supply. Over 20% of Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians are employed in the Electricity Supply industry with a further 16% working in the Construction Services (National Industry Insights, 2020).

Insights

Average weekly earnings:  $1,784 per week

Mode of work: Most work full-time (87%)

Hours per week: full-time workers spend around 45 hours/ week at work.

Age: the average age is 42 years.

Gender: 7% workers are female

(Source: Job Outlook, historical figures)

Qualification Needed

Workers usually need a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in electrical engineering or another related field to work as an Electrical Engineering Draftsperson or Technician.

Course Overview

Studies in electrical engineering will teach you how to use engineering applications and software, write specifications for projects, solve electrotechnology engineering problems, repair equipment, install wiring and appliances and much more.

Course Requirements

Most institutions require completion of Australian Year 11 or 12 (or equivalent), as well as a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 with no band score less than 5.

Costs

A 2-year packaged technical course costs between $14,000 and $18,000 per year, depending on the institution.

Studying Electrical Engineering in Australia: What the Course Covers

Vocational electrical engineering courses train you to work alongside professional engineers on the design, drafting, testing and maintenance of electrical systems. You learn electrical principles and circuit analysis, power systems and distribution, electrical drafting with computer aided design (CAD), protection and control systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), instrumentation, renewable energy systems, project documentation and compliance with Australian standards. Degree courses go further into engineering mathematics, power engineering, electronics and design.

Qualifications and AQF Levels

Qualification AQF level What it prepares you for
Certificate IV in Electrical (Engineering or Drafting) AQF 4 Electrical drafting and technical support roles
Diploma of Electrical Engineering AQF 5 Electrical engineering technician and draftsperson roles
Advanced Diploma of Electrical Engineering AQF 6 Senior technician and engineering associate roles
Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical) AQF 8 Professional electrical engineer roles (usually a four year degree)

Study Pathways

Diploma and advanced diploma graduates usually work as Electrical Engineering Technicians or Draftspersons, which Engineers Australia assesses as Engineering Associates. Many students later transfer into a bachelor of engineering with credit to become professional engineers. Note that these qualifications do not on their own allow you to work as a licensed electrician, which requires the electrotechnology trade pathway.

Related Occupations and Visa Pathways (as at October 2026)

Occupation ANZSCO CSOL (482 and 186) Skilled lists (189, 190, 491, 485)
Electrical Engineering Technician 312312 Yes MLTSSL
Electrical Engineering Draftsperson 312311 Yes MLTSSL
Electrical Engineer 233311 Yes MLTSSL

Our Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) guide explains which visas use each list and what that means for electrical engineering technicians and draftspersons.

Career Outlook

Electrical engineering technicians and drafters work for electricity networks and generators, engineering consultancies, construction and building services firms, mining, manufacturing, transport and defence. The energy transition, including renewable generation, transmission upgrades and battery storage, is creating strong demand for electrical engineering skills.

Applying for a Student Visa to Study Electrical Engineering

Explain how the course builds on your earlier study in maths, science or electrical work, and whether you plan to work as a technician or continue to a bachelor of engineering. Our Student visa (subclass 500) page lists the current visa conditions.

Electrical Engineering Study FAQs

Yes. As at October 2026, Electrical Engineering Technician (312312) and Electrical Engineering Draftsperson (312311) are on both the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and the MLTSSL, and so is Electrical Engineer (233311). Energy networks and engineering consultancies are among the main employers of these roles.

Possibly. Electrical Engineering Technician is on the MLTSSL, so a diploma or advanced diploma can support the 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream (generally 18 months) if Engineers Australia assesses you as an Engineering Associate and you meet the age and English rules. Bachelor and master’s graduates may be eligible for the Post-Higher Education Work stream instead.

Engineers Australia assesses Electrical Engineering Technicians and Draftspersons as Engineering Associates, and Electrical Engineers as Professional Engineers.

No. An electrical engineering diploma prepares you for technical, design and drafting roles. Working as an electrician requires the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician and a state electrical licence.

Related guides

Am I eligible for a Student visa? Student Visa Funds Calculator Study a Trade Course Assessment Study a Uni Course Assessment

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