Engineering Job Demands in Australia 2026: Complete Career & Salary Guide

Some jobs will still be in high demand until 2026, based on how things are going now and how they are expected to go in the future.

1. Civil Engineer: The average salary will be between AUD $95,000 and $125,000 a year in 2026. In Australia, civil engineering is still the most important part of the building industry. There are a lot more people now. This is why cities need new homes, roads, and bridges.
   Smart city projects also help with this demand. This is especially true for cities like Brisbane and Melbourne that are getting bigger. Civil engineers are responsible for planning, designing, and building these important structures. They also look after the water supply and the roads. So, there are still a lot of civil engineering jobs that are hard to get.

2. Software Engineer: The average salary will be between AUD $120,000 and $165,000+ a year in 2026. Software engineering is the only thing that makes Australia’s digital economy work. It’s not just for tech companies anymore. Every day, businesses in finance, agriculture, and healthcare use software-based systems.
   Businesses also need people who are good at AI and cloud computing. Cybersecurity experts also have no trouble finding jobs because there are more and more threats to data. Software engineers often get promoted quickly. They also like to work from home or in other ways that are easy for them.

3. Electrical Engineer: The average salary will be between AUD $105,000 and $140,000 a year in 2026. In Australia, electrical engineers are very important for making energy. They build the power grid and get factory systems to work on their own.
   Australia is also moving away from coal and toward more solar and wind power. Because of this big change, it’s even more important to have engineers who know how to work with clean energy. Employers want to know about smart technologies and how they connect to the grid. So, electrical engineering is a good field to work in because it pays well and has a lot of different jobs.

4. Mechanical Engineer: The average salary in 2026 will be between AUD $95,000 and $135,000 a year. Mechanical engineers work in both mining and manufacturing. They are also very important for the military and transportation.
   Employers today value people who have real-world experience and know how to do things. The best engineers are usually the ones who can fix machines on the spot. Also, it is becoming more and more important to know how to use robots and automation. People all over the country still want mechanical engineers a lot.

5. Mining Engineer: The average salary will be between AUD $150,000 and $185,000+ a year in 2026. Mining engineering is always one of the highest-paying jobs in Australia. The resource sector is a big part of the country’s economy. Most jobs are in states with a lot of natural resources, such as Queensland and Western Australia.
   Mining engineers are in charge of the processes that get minerals out of the ground and make sure they are safe. The job can be hard on the body and often requires you to travel. But the pay is a lot better because of site allowances. A lot of people want these jobs just for the pay.

6. Engineering Manager: In 2026, the average salary will be between AUD $175,000 and $200,000 a year. Engineering managers are in charge of technical teams and making sure that complicated operations run smoothly. They are in charge of the budgets, the expectations of the clients, and the deadlines for the projects.
   Most professionals move into management after working in a technical field for 8 to 12 years. You get paid a lot more when you take on more work. So, this is the job that a lot of ambitious engineers want the most.

7. Environmental Engineer: The average salary will be between AUD $100,000 and $145,000 a year in 2026. Environmental engineering is still growing quickly. Both the government and private businesses now put a lot of importance on sustainability.
   Because of this, strict environmental rules make hiring more necessary. These engineers are in charge of treating waste, controlling pollution, and managing water. They are very important for finding a balance between protecting the environment and growing industry.

8. Geotechnical Engineer: The average salary in 2026 will be between AUD $110,000 and $150,000 a year. In the beginning stages of building, geotechnical engineers are very important. They check the soil, rocks, and groundwater to see how they are doing.
   Before any skyscrapers or tunnels can be built, these engineers have to say that the site is safe. In a lot of places in Australia, the soil is hard to work with. Because of this, there will always be a need for people who know how to analyze foundations. In this niche, consulting services often cost a lot.

9. Biomedical Engineer: The average salary will be between AUD $90,000 and $125,000 a year in 2026. The medical technology industry in Australia is doing very well. As people get older, they need better health care.
   Biomedical engineers make medical tools and machines that help doctors figure out what’s wrong with people. They do a lot of work with hospitals and research labs. The push for digital health records makes it even more important to use technology. Biomedical engineering jobs combine health care and technology.