Discover the current job market for Marine Engineers (Ship’s Engineer ANZSCO 231212) in Australia in 2025. Explore demand, salaries, skilled migration pathways, CSOL status, and how to secure permanent residency.

Introduction

Australia’s maritime and offshore sectors are expanding fast. Offshore wind farms, LNG projects, a new national strategic fleet, and defence shipbuilding have created a clear workforce shortage. For qualified marine engineers, this translates into strong job opportunities and straightforward skilled migration pathways. The occupation Ship’s Engineer (ANZSCO 231212) sits firmly on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), making it one of the most attractive engineering roles for overseas professionals seeking Australian permanent residency in 2025 and beyond.

The Role and Recognition of Marine Engineers in Australia

In Australia, the title “Marine Engineer” usually refers to Ship’s Engineer (ANZSCO 231212), the classification used for migration and licensing. These professionals design, operate, maintain, and repair mechanical and electrical systems on ships and offshore platforms.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is the assessing authority for migration purposes. A positive AMSA skills assessment confirms that your qualifications and sea service meet Australian standards (typically STCW Engineer Officer certificates and relevant experience). Once assessed, the occupation qualifies for the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and several state nomination lists, opening doors to visas such as the Skilled Independent (189), Skilled Nominated (190), and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) pathways.

Current Job Market and Salary Expectations

As of November 2025, the job market for marine engineers remains robust:
– SEEK shows over 2,200 active marine engineer vacancies nationwide.
– LinkedIn lists 70–100 new roles each month.
– Highest demand comes from Western Australia (offshore oil & gas, LNG), Queensland (mining support vessels), and New South Wales (defence and ferry operations).

Average salaries sit between AUD 140,000 and AUD 180,000 per year, with senior chief engineers on offshore vessels often exceeding AUD 220,000 plus bonuses. Even entry-level third or fourth engineers with international certificates can secure packages above AUD 105,000 once licensed locally.

The Maritime Industry 2025 Workforce Plan forecasts ongoing shortages of engineer officers through 2030, driven by retiring seafarers and new renewable energy projects. This sustained demand keeps unemployment in the profession near zero.

Skilled Migration Pathways for ANZSCO 231212

Ship’s Engineer (231212) is included on the Core Skills Occupation List introduced in December 2024, replacing the old MLTSSL/STSOL framework. Key visa options include:

– Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) – points-tested, no sponsor required.
– Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) – state nomination adds 5 points; NSW, Victoria, and South Australia regularly nominate marine engineers.
– Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) – leads to permanent residency after three years; popular with offshore and defence employers.

Minimum requirements usually include a positive AMSA skills assessment, at least three years of post-qualification sea service, IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent), and being under 45 years of age for points-tested visas (exemptions apply for 494).

Future Demand and Industry Growth Drivers

Several major developments guarantee continued demand:
– Offshore wind zones declared in Bass Strait, Hunter, and Western Australia.
– AUKUS submarine program and surface fleet expansion.
– Government subsidies for a strategic fleet of Australian-flagged vessels.
– Replacement of ageing LNG and mining support fleets.

These projects will require hundreds of additional engineer officers over the next decade, making the job market outlook for marine engineers one of the strongest in the entire engineering sector.

Conclusion

The combination of critical workforce shortages, high salaries, and clear skilled migration pathways makes 2025–2030 an ideal time for qualified marine engineers to move to Australia. Start by obtaining your AMSA skills assessment and monitoring state nomination updates. With ANZSCO 231212 firmly on the Core Skills Occupation List, the path to permanent residency has rarely been smoother.