Manufacturing & Engineering

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The global economy is changing, and Australia’s manufacturing industry is undergoing rapid change to remain competitive. A productive manufacturing sector is a key part of a thriving economy, so our manufacturing enterprises are becoming innovative, adaptive and flexible. They need workers with skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) who can respond to shifts in technology. This is an important industry for Australia’s future, and you’ll be amazed at the career choices that are available.

Contribution to the Australian economy

Manufacturing and Engineering

Industry Value

$74.0 billion

Gross value added

People Employed

590,000

People employed in the sector

Business Trading

70,008

Businesses trading in the sector

* Statistics sourced from Australian Bureau of Statistics and Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. For more information, please refer to the Statistics Explained page.

THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO SUCCEED. Real Skills for Real Careers



Sectors & Occupations

The manufacturing industry is a key part of Australia’s economy. Using physical or chemical processes, our manufacturing businesses transform a range of materials into new products. These products include our shoes, clothes, furniture, pharmaceuticals, paper, textiles, cars, ships, planes and boats. A large percentage of the workforce gained their practical skills through ‘real life’ vocational education and training (VET) courses.

Check out a sample of the most popular occupations in each sector. Click on them for more information.


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Apprenticeships & Traineeships

Australian Apprenticeships (apprenticeships and traineeships) are an important part of VET. Gaining a VET qualification through an Australian Apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to train, study and earn an income at a variety of qualification levels in most occupations. Australian Apprenticeships combine time at work with training, and can be full-time, part-time or school-based.

Search Apprenticeship & Traineeship Courses in this Industry

Career Stories

VET delivers outstanding employment results for its graduates – watch the following stories and see for yourself. You will be amazed at the career pathways that a VET qualification can unlock for you in the manufacturing industry.


Melinda’s Story - Video Thumbnail

Melinda’s Story

“The day after my final exam I started my apprenticeship at Hartig Engineering and it’s been fantastic.”

VET Qualification: Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade

Career: Fitter and Machinist

Melinda always had a fascination for hands-on work, but felt obliged to pursue a tertiary pathway. After gaining work experience at a precision engineering company, she decided an apprenticeship in fitting and machining was a better option, and she is now a qualified fitter and turner.

Patrick’s Story - Video Thumbnail

Patrick’s Story

“An apprenticeship can take you anywhere in the world, and if you’ve got a hobby, it can do exactly what it did for me and turn it into a career.”

VET Qualification: Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade

Career: Metal Fabricator

Patrick’s career was ignited at a young age when his father taught him how to weld. After completing a school-based apprenticeship in engineering, he enrolled in a metal fabrication apprenticeship through the University of Ballarat. He completed his apprenticeship in just over two years, and he now owns the business where he trained.

Rachel’s Story - Video Thumbnail

Rachel’s Story

“After trying both university and vocational training, I found I much preferred the on-the-job learning that an apprenticeship provides.”

VET Qualification: Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Avionics)

Career: Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Rachel was in the third year of an engineering degree at university when she realised she wanted a more hands-on career. She completed an apprenticeship in avionics with Qantas and is now a fully qualified aircraft maintenance engineer. Rachel recently broadened her studies to include a Diploma of Management.

Skills for your Career

My Skills can help you find the right course to ignite your career in the manufacturing industry. You can search for VET courses and compare information such as fees, durations, graduate satisfaction, job prospects and available subsidies.

There are a number of different ways to search for VET courses on My Skills.


Course Search

Search for keywords in course titles, such as ‘polymer’ or ‘engineer’:

Local Providers

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Careers in Demand

A number of skilled occupations are currently in shortage in the manufacturing industry. These jobs are in demand across Australia, so there’s a good chance of ongoing employment when you complete your training. If you want to set yourself up for a rewarding career, check out the following jobs and the VET courses that will give you the practical skills you need to gain employment in them.

Data is sourced from the Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business.



Growth Areas

Machinery and equipment manufacturing is the largest employing sector in the industry. If you’re interested in a career in manufacturing, go to the Defence Industry page to explore the courses that will prepare you for work in areas where employment is expected to grow over the next three years.

Data has been sourced from the Australian Government Department of Employment



Resources

With so much information about careers, it’s hard to know where to start or where to look.
Here are a few sites you may find useful once you’ve found the right VET course and training provider on My Skills.
For additional industry information links, please visit the Australian Government Department of Education and Training website.


Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

An Australian Government Department that facilitates growth and productivity of globally competitive industries.

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IBSA Manufacturing

A government-funded, independent professional body that works with employers in their allocated industry to develop training packages that meet the current skill needs of their workers.

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Manufacturing Australia

The peak representative body for Australia’s manufacturing industry.

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Skills for Australia

A Skills Service Organisation established by the Commonwealth Government to support Industry Reference Committees in their work to develop modern and relevant training packages.

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Skills Impact

The national Skills Service Organisation, funded by the Australian Government, to support the operation of Industry Reference Committees.

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The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC)

Provides leadership and guidance to the VET system, bringing a strong industry-based perspective which will enhance responsiveness, quality & relevance within the sector.

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