Australia produced a record 24,253 engineering graduates in 2024, adding to the workforce needed to deliver national infrastructure, renewable energy, defence and digital technology projects, according to Engineers Australia.
Data from the Australian Council of Engineering Deans (ACED) showed 12,206 domestic students completed engineering qualifications in 2024, up 7.5 per cent from the previous year, while international students accounted for a further 12,047 graduates.
Engineers Australia Chief Engineer Katherine Richards AM CSC FTSE said the increase was encouraging as Australia continued to require engineering skills across key sectors.
“It is encouraging to see growing numbers of students completing engineering qualifications and strengthening the workforce at a time when engineering skills are needed more than ever,” Richards said.
“These engineers will be essential in delivering the projects and innovations that will shape Australia’s future, from critical infrastructure to renewable energy, defence capability, and digital technologies.”
However, Richards said more graduates were needed to pursue engineering careers, particularly women, who remain underrepresented in the field.
ACED data showed women accounted for 21.7 per cent of domestic students commencing engineering bachelor’s degrees in 2024 and 19.5 per cent of domestic bachelor’s graduates, both record highs. However, women represented just 3.5 per cent of domestic higher education enrolments in engineering, compared with the OECD average of 6.5 per cent.
“Closing that gap represents one of the biggest opportunities to strengthen Australia’s future engineering workforce,” Richards said.
The data also showed that nearly nine in 10 engineering undergraduates were employed full-time six months after graduation, earning a median salary of $82,500.
A total of 23,599 domestic students commenced engineering studies in 2024, a 10.2 per cent increase year-on-year, including 17,230 students entering bachelor’s degree programs, up 11.4 per cent from 2023.
