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Australia’s engineering industry is by far the most lucrative globally, and figures from mid-2026 will attest to that, with Engineering Manager and Mining Engineer topping Australia’s engineering salaries, earning AUD $165,000 – AUD $190,000 per year, based on SEEK salary information. At the very top end, senior Petroleum Engineers on FIFO rosters in Western Australia are clearing AUD $250,000 and above with allowances included.
For overseas engineers planning skilled migration, knowing which disciplines command the highest paying engineering jobs matters for two reasons: it shapes your visa strategy and helps you target the right ANZSCO code for your skills assessment. This guide covers the top-paying disciplines for 2026, backed by real salary data from SEEK, Hays FY25/26, and Jobs and Skills Australia, along with state-by-state figures, graduate starting salaries, and what each discipline requires for migration.
Salary range varies within Engineering, and you need to know the contributing factors that define this in order to maximise earnings potential.
In recent years, there have been consistent rises of between three and eight percent each year to salaries. These increases are driving up demand as projects, such as in infrastructure as well as in clean energy and the demand for important minerals. That trend continues clearly into 2026.
The following roles are ranked by average annual salary based on verified 2026 data from SEEK, Hays FY25/26, and Jobs and Skills Australia. All figures include base salary and superannuation unless stated.
Engineering Discipline | ANZSCO Code | Avg. Salary (AUD) |
Petroleum Engineer | 233612 | $140,000 – $250,000+ |
Mining Engineer | 233611 | $150,000 – $223,000 |
Engineering Manager | 133211 | $165,000 – $190,000 |
Data Engineer | 263111 | $127,000 – $160,000 |
Software Engineer (Senior) | 261313 | $105,000 – $160,000 |
233311 | $90,000 – $152,000 | |
Chemical Engineer | 233111 | $100,000 – $150,000 |
Civil Engineer | 233211 | $90,000 – $140,000 |
Source: SEEK salary data (Dec 2025 – June 2026), Hays Salary Guide FY25/26, Jobs and Skills Australia 2026. Figures include base + superannuation. FIFO allowances excluded from ranges above.
Petroleum Engineer (ANZSCO 233612): Consistently ranked No.1 high-paying engineering job in Australia. Their average wages range from AUD $140,000 and AUD $195,000 per year, with FIFO roles in WA’s offshore and LNG segments exceeding AUD $250,000 per year (allowances not included).
Demand for petroleum engineers Australia LNG export capacity is strong, with offshore projects continue in North West Shelf Australia even though the pressure for the energy transition around the world. Petroleum engineers skill set is listed on the MLTSSL and can support the applications for various visas; for instance, sub class 189, 190, 491, 482 & 186.
CDR australiaengineer specialises in high-quality CDR, RPL and VETASSESS reports for engineers. We offer low-cost, customized and reliable services in diverse engineering disciplines.
Mining Engineer (ANZSCO 233611) is one of the few disciplines where six-figure earnings are common from early in a career. Graduate mining engineers in Australia start at AUD $91,000 – $109,000, which is on average AUD $30,000 higher than graduate salaries in most other engineering fields. Average mid-to-senior salaries run AUD $150,000 to AUD $223,000.
Australia’s position as a global lithium, iron ore, and rare earth exporter drives consistent demand. The global battery supply chain, feeding EV manufacturers across Asia, Europe, and North America, keeps Australia’s mining engineering workforce among the most sought-after in the world. This occupation appears on the MLTSSL and multiple state nomination priority lists in 2026.
ICT is the second-highest paying engineering industry in Australia at an average of AUD $137,496 per year across all roles, according to SEEK. Within that, specific roles command considerably more.
Data Engineers design and maintain systems that convert raw data into usable formats. Average salaries run AUD $127,000 to AUD $160,000, with senior specialists at major technology and financial services firms earning above that. Demand is driven by AI adoption, cloud migration, and enterprise data strategy investments across every major sector.
Senior Software Engineers in Australia average AUD $105,000 to AUD $125,000 per year according to SEEK, with specialists in cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity earning AUD $150,000 and above. Jobs and Skills Australia reports over 100,000 professionals employed in software engineering, with demand for new entrants remaining consistently strong across all capital cities.
Both ICT roles are assessed by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) via the RPL pathway for overseas professionals without an Australian qualification.
Location is one of the single biggest factors in engineering pay. The same role can pay 20–50% more in Western Australia than the national average. Here is how engineering salaries break down by state in 2026, based on verified data from SEEK, Hays FY25/26, and industry salary guides.
State | Avg. Engineer Salary | Key Disciplines | Driver |
Western Australia | $140,000 – $210,000+ | Mining, Petroleum, Mechanical | Resources sector, FIFO premium, LNG projects |
Queensland | $130,000 – $210,000 | Mining, Civil, Electrical | Resources corridor, 2032 Olympics infrastructure |
New South Wales | $99,947 – $150,000 | Civil, Software, Structural | Infrastructure pipeline, tech sector, Sydney CBD |
Victoria | $96,318 – $145,000 | Civil, Structural, Software | Metro Tunnel, North East Link, urban development |
South Australia | $90,000 – $130,000 | Defence, Naval, Aerospace | AUKUS submarine program, OPV shipbuilding |
Western Australia stands clearly apart. Mining engineers in Perth average AUD $180,000+, which is significantly above the national average. For overseas engineers on regional visas such as Subclass 491, states like Tasmania, regional Queensland, and regional New South Wales offer an additional 15 points on the SkillSelect points test, a meaningful advantage if your points score needs a boost.
Beyond discipline and location, several other variables determine where you sit within a salary range. Understanding these helps you negotiate from a position of knowledge.
Factor | Impact on Salary |
Experience | Senior engineers earn 40–70% more than entry-level in the same discipline |
Location | WA and QLD pay 20–50% above national averages due to resources demand and FIFO |
FIFO Allowances | Add AUD $20,000–$50,000 on top of base salary in remote resource regions |
Industry Sector | Mining/Resources averages AUD $147,990 vs national engineering avg of ~$115,000 |
Chartered Status (CPEng) | Engineers Australia Chartered status adds AUD $10,000–$20,000 in marketability |
Specialisation | AI, cybersecurity, LNG, critical minerals, niche expertise commands premium pay |
Not every engineer starts at the top, but even at the entry level, Australia’s highest paying engineering jobs offer graduate salaries that significantly outperform most other professions. Here is what new graduates can expect in 2026 across the top-paying disciplines, based on Hays, SEEK Graduate, and Prosple data.
Engineering Field | Graduate Starting Salary | Note |
Mining Engineering | AUD $91,000 – $109,000 | AUD $30,000+ above average graduate salary nationally |
Petroleum Engineering | AUD $80,000 – $100,000 | WA rates at upper end; FIFO roles add further |
Software Engineering | AUD $90,000 – $120,000 | Strong in Sydney, Melbourne tech hubs |
AUD $70,000 – $90,000 | NSW and QLD infrastructure projects pay higher | |
Electrical Engineering | AUD $70,000 – $88,000 | Energy sector and renewables drive demand |
Mechanical Engineering | AUD $70,000 – $85,000 | Mining sector roles push toward upper end |
Mining engineering offers the highest graduate salaries of all engineering disciplines, on average AUD $30,000 higher than graduates elsewhere. For overseas engineers entering through a skilled migration pathway, a positive Engineers Australia assessment is what unlocks access to these roles. Without it, employers in regulated engineering fields cannot formally recognise your qualifications.
For internationally qualified engineers, accessing the highest paying engineering jobs in Australia starts with a positive skills assessment, not a job offer. Your skills and experience have been found to meet the Australian Professional standards and an assessment is necessary prior to submitting an EOI with SkillSelect.
The pathway for most overseas engineers follows this sequence:
The CDR is the most critical document in this process for Engineers Australia occupations. A well-structured CDR with three career episodes, a summary statement, and CPD list is what separates a positive outcome from a rejection, regardless of how strong your actual engineering experience is.
The highest paying engineering jobs in Australia are not out of reach for overseas engineers, but the path to them runs through a positive skills assessment. Whether you are a petroleum engineer targeting WA’s LNG sector, a mining engineer eyeing Queensland’s resources corridor, or a software engineer pursuing Sydney’s tech market, your assessment outcome determines your visa eligibility, your points score, and ultimately your career in Australia.
CDR Australia Engineer provides complete documentation support for Engineers Australia CDR reports, ACS RPL assessments, and VETASSESS skills reports. Get your assessment right the first time, and Australia’s highest-paying engineering roles become accessible.
Petroleum Engineer (AUD $140,000–$250,000+) tops the list, followed by Mining Engineer (AUD $150,000–$223,000) and Engineering Manager (AUD $165,000–$190,000). Data Engineer and Senior Software Engineer follow at AUD $127,000–$160,000.
Western Australia, mining engineers in Perth average AUD $180,000+, which is 20 – 50% above national averages. Queensland follows due to its resources sector and 2032 Olympics infrastructure.
Mining engineering graduates start at AUD $91,000 – $109,000, the highest of any engineering discipline. Petroleum and software graduates earn AUD $80,000 – $120,000. Civil and mechanical graduates start at AUD $70,000 – $90,000.
Yes. Engineers Australia requires a CDR, three career episodes, a summary statement, and CPD list, for applicants without an accredited Australian qualification. ACS requires an RPL report for ICT roles.
Both civil and electrical engineering offer strong and reliable state nominated options for the MLTSSL, leading to good pathways to PR for those eligible via points tested or employer sponsored options.
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