Electrical Engineer
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$135,800
Full-time annual
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Designs, develops, implements and supervises the manufacture, installation, operation and maintenance of equipment, machines and systems used for the generation, distribution, utilisation and control of electric power from renewable and non-renewable sources.
Specialisations
Skills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Plans, designs and tests power stations and equipment used for the generation, distribution, transmission and utilisation of electric power
- Develops new ways to store power generated by renewable and sustainable energy sources, such as solar, wind and sea
- Determines the type and arrangement of circuits, networks, transformers, circuit-breakers, transmission lines and other equipment
- Installs and tests electrical systems and processes
- Uses software and performs detailed calculations to plan, design and develop manufacturing, construction and installation standards and specifications to improve electrical systems
- Leads and coordinates electrical infrastructure projects in industries such as transportation, construction and manufacturing
- Provides technical expertise in electrical service design, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations
- May specialise in research in areas such as power generation and transmission systems, transformers, switchgear and electric motors, telemetry, and control systems
- May manage and integrate renewable energy sources, including battery storage, into the electricity grid
Credentials & Pathway
OSCA skill level 1
A classification attribute describing the occupation; it is not a personal eligibility or qualification decision.
Registration or licensing
Registration or licensing may be required.
Official VET pathways
Advanced Diploma of ESI - Power Systems
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Engineering
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Engineering - Planning
Progression pathway
Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Electrical - Instrumentation
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Electrotechnology - Systems Electrician
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Electrical - Fire Protection Control Systems
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Industrial Electronics and Control
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Electrical - Lift Systems
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Hazardous areas - Electrical
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Electrical Equipment and Systems
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Electrical - Renewable Energy
Progression pathway
Diploma of Electrical and Instrumentation
Progression pathway
Diploma of Electrical and Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Progression pathway
Diploma of Electrical Engineering
Progression pathway
Diploma of Industrial Electronics and Control Engineering
Progression pathway
Diploma of Instrumentation and Control Engineering
Progression pathway
Diploma of Engineering Technology - Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Progression pathway
Diploma of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
Progression pathway
Diploma of Electrical Systems Engineering
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Industrial Electronics and Control Engineering
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Renewable Energy Engineering
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Engineering - Explosion protection
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Instrumentation and Control Engineering
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Electronics
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Renewable Energy
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Electrical
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Electrical - Engineering
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Electrical Engineering - Coal Mining
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
Progression pathway
Advanced Diploma of Electrical Systems Engineering
Progression pathway
Certificate III in ESI Generation
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in ESI Generation
Progression pathway
Certificate IV in Wind Power Generation
Progression pathway
Diploma of ESI Generation
Progression pathway
Graduate Diploma of Engineering
Specialised training
Related study options
Bachelor
Compare university ROIReal jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
138
ACT · May 2026
5
VIC · May 2026
91
NT · May 2026
9
SA · May 2026
32
NSW · May 2026
127
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+12%
3,881 projected jobs
to 2035
+22%
7,029 projected jobs
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Electrical Engineer.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Brisbane Inner City
1,816 estimated employed
- 1
Brisbane Inner City
1,816 employed
QLD
-17.19%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - Inner
1,403 employed
VIC
-2.84%
year on year
- 3
Melbourne - South East
1,389 employed
VIC
+10.33%
year on year
- 4
Perth - South East
1,247 employed
WA
-0.87%
year on year
- 5
Melbourne - West
1,116 employed
VIC
+7.51%
year on year
WiseAffiliate linkMoving abroad to study?
Pay tuition and send money home at the real exchange rate with Wise.
Open a free Wise account
AiraloAffiliate linkNeed a local eSIM when you arrive?
Stay connected from day one with an affordable Airalo eSIM — 200+ countries covered.
Get your eSIMPossible next career moves
Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
25,810
Moved in from another occupation
2,575
Moved to another occupation
1,550
Recommendation score: shortage = 2 points, no shortage = 1 point, plus 1 point for each 10% of projected growth to 2035.
- 1
5
points
- 2
4
points
- 3
4
points
- 4
3
points
- 5
3
points
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 243331
- Last updated
- Refresh pending
- Sources
- Jobs and Skills Australia OSL · Jobs and Skills Australia DOM · ABS OSCA · OSCA 2024 — Jobs and Skills Australia
Labour-market data coverage
- Shortage signal and drivers: JSA Occupation Shortage List (ANZSCO unit group where applicable).
- Regional employment: JSA NERO, June 2026.
- Career-move observations: JSA DOM, last available 2020–21. Observed Australian worker transitions are not personalised recommendations; many contractors and sole traders are excluded, as are transitions below 10 workers.
- Vacancy signal: JSA Internet Vacancy Index, 3-month average (ANZSCO unit group).
- Employment outlook: JSA employment projections (ANZSCO unit group).
- Training pathways: JSA Training Occupation Pathways.
Data confidence: estimate.