Naval Architect
Shortage Now
States / territories with a shortage signal
Snapshot
Median salary
A$129,500
Full-time annual
People employed
400
Estimated workforce
Shortage signal
Shortage (national)
Categories identify where a shortage occurs; they are not a severity score.
What you actually do
Designs and oversees the construction and repair of marine craft and floating structures.
Read official OSCA descriptionSkills & main tasks
Official main tasks
- Oversees the design, construction, repair, conversion or decommissioning of marine craft and floating structures
- Uses specialist CAD software to design marine craft and floating structures, taking into account factors such as stability, strength and performance
- Designs and coordinates the build of offshore floating structures such as offshore drilling platforms, floating units and subsea infrastructure installations
- Prepares detailed plans, specifications and cost estimates to establish basic characteristics of marine craft, such as size, weight and speed
- Ensures marine craft and floating structures comply with design specifications and safety and regulatory standards
- Collaborates with engineers and other Professionals to coordinate the design and layout of marine craft and floating structure systems, equipment, and machinery
Where people work
State / territory distribution
Highest education
Share of workers
Education & work pattern
Part-time
12%
Female rate
9%
Median age
40
2030 & 2035 employment outlook
to 2030
+12%
2,123 projected jobs
to 2035
+23%
3,929 projected jobs
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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
Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction
Progression pathway
Related study options
Bachelor
Compare university ROIReal jobs right now
Live signal from SEEK, Indeed & moreCurrent vacancy signal
QLD · May 2026
81
ACT · May 2026
6
VIC · May 2026
88
NT · May 2026
8
SA · May 2026
24
NSW · May 2026
98
Where could this career take you?
Compare state-level shortage signals, salary context, study options and visa information for Naval Architect.
Regional demand
Largest employment base
#1 Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby
1,584 estimated employed
- 1
Sydney - North Sydney and Hornsby
1,584 employed
NSW
+39.81%
year on year
- 2
Melbourne - Inner
1,461 employed
VIC
+8.54%
year on year
- 3
Sydney - City and Inner South
1,425 employed
NSW
+26.55%
year on year
- 4
Melbourne - South East
1,166 employed
VIC
+12.66%
year on year
- 5
Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
1,135 employed
NSW
+14.19%
year on year
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Ranked by current shortage signal and projected employment growth.
Workers in this occupation
405
Moved in from another occupation
40
Moved to another occupation
30
Data status
- Classification
- OSCA 243938
- 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).
- Work profile, state distribution and education: JSA Occupation Profiles (ANZSCO mapped).
- 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.