Discover how to become a structural engineer in Australia – from Engineers Australia assessment and CPEng to skilled migration visas (189, 190, 491, GTI), state registration (RPEQ, RPEV), and major projects hiring now.
Introduction
Australia faces a chronic shortage of structural engineers. The government lists ANZSCO 233214 Structural Engineer on the Core Skills Occupation List and fast-tracks visas for experienced professionals. High-rise towers in Sydney, Melbourne Metro Tunnel, Cross River Rail, and Snowy 2.0 all need qualified civil structural engineers right now. Salaries for senior structural engineers often exceed AUD 150,000–200,000. This guide shows exactly what it takes – qualifications, registration, state licensing, and the fastest migration pathways in 2025–2026.
Becoming a Recognised Structural Engineer in Australia
Engineers Australia controls professional recognition. You need one of two routes:
1. Hold a four-year Washington Accord accredited engineering degree (most UK, USA, Canada, and many European degrees qualify automatically).
2. If your degree is not accredited, submit a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) for skills assessment.
After a positive skills assessment, you can join Engineers Australia as a member and later apply for Chartered status (CPEng) and the National Engineering Register (NER). Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) remains the gold standard that Tier 1 consultancies (Aurecon, Arup, GHD, WSP, BG&E) and contractors require for sign-off roles.
Chartered Status and State Registration Requirements
CPEng requires Stage 2 competency – typically 5+ years of verifiable experience plus a professional interview and evidence portfolio. Once you hold CPEng and NER, you still need state-specific registration to sign designs:
– Queensland → RPEQ (Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland)
– Victoria → RPEV plus Design Practitioner (Structural) registration under the new Victorian scheme
– New South Wales → Register as a Design Practitioner (Class 2 buildings) and often Professional Engineer (PE) under the Design and Building Practitioners Act
– Other states rely mainly on NER/CPEng, but local building authorities may ask for additional declarations.
Master of Structural Engineering Australia degrees from universities such as UNSW, Melbourne, or UQ help overseas engineers meet gaps quickly and often lead straight to graduate structural engineer roles.
Skilled Migration Pathways for Structural Engineers
Structural engineering sits on almost every skilled occupation list in 2025, giving multiple visa options:
– Subclass 189 Skilled Independent – points-tested, no sponsor needed, PR from day one
– Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated – adds 5 state points, requires state nomination
– Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) – 15 extra points, leads to 191 PR after three years
– Global Talent Visa (GTI) – priority processing (often 1–3 months) for engineers with 3+ years experience and salary evidence above the income threshold
Most states (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, WA, SA) actively nominate 233214 Structural Engineers, especially if you already hold a positive Engineers Australia skill assessment.
Major Projects and Employers Actively Hiring
Australia’s infrastructure pipeline exceeds AUD 200 billion. Current flagship projects recruiting structural engineers include:
– Sydney Metro West and Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport
– Melbourne Metro Tunnel
– Cross River Rail (Brisbane)
– Inland Rail
– Snowy 2.0 pumped hydro
– Brisbane 2032 Olympics venues
– Numerous high-rise design projects in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane CBDs
– Mining structural engineer FIFO roles in Western Australia and Queensland
Top consultancies and contractors regularly post senior structural engineer and graduate structural engineer positions with visa sponsorship.
Salary Expectations and Career Progression
Graduate structural engineers start at AUD 75,000–95,000. With three to five years and RPEQ/CPEng, salaries jump to AUD 120,000–160,000. Seniors and principals on major projects commonly earn AUD 180,000–250,000 plus bonuses. Wind engineering, seismic design Australia expertise, and proficiency in ETABS, SPACE GASS, or RAPT command premium rates.
Conclusion
Australia urgently needs skilled structural engineers and offers clear pathways through Engineers Australia assessment, CPEng/NER, state registration, and multiple fast-tracked visas. Start your Engineers Australia skill assessment today, target state nomination, and position yourself for the current infrastructure boom.
