The engineering job market is competitive, presenting both challenges and opportunities for job seekers. Understanding the latest industry data and trends will help you navigate the hiring process and improve your chances of securing your next engineering role.
Obtaining a position as an engineer in Australia can be a demanding endeavor, especially with the constantly evolving requirements of the industry and the competitive job market. While engineering remains one of the most sought-after sectors in the workforce, the high number of qualified professionals and intense competition can make the job search appear daunting.
Nevertheless, grasping key statistics and trends within the industry can offer valuable insights and set realistic expectations for those pursuing their first or next engineering role.
As of the 2021 Census, Australia boasts over 545,000 qualified engineers, with 433,000 actively engaged in the profession. This substantial figure highlights the growing presence of engineers throughout the country while also illuminating the competition that job seekers will encounter.
Though demand for engineers is robust across numerous industries, including construction, infrastructure, and technology, the high volume of qualified professionals means that competition for each job is fierce.
Over 60% of qualified engineers in Australia were born overseas, contributing significantly to the increasing diversity within the field. Additionally, the engineering workforce expanded by 93,000 individuals in the five years leading up to the 2021 census.
According to the 2022 Australian Engineering Employment Vacancies Report, finding an engineering job is no minor task.
The data indicates that 25% of job seekers spend between three to six months securing a new position. This timeframe is not unusual given the industry’s competitive nature and the volume of applications typically required.
On average, it takes about 162 applications to land one interview. While this may seem overwhelming, it’s crucial to remember that obtaining a job in any field, including engineering, necessitates perseverance and patience.
In the engineering sector, job seekers should recognize that job advertisements are often inundated with applications. For every 267 applications submitted, only about 2% of candidates are selected for an interview.
Even with impressive qualifications, persistence is essential since only 25% of resumes pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which many employers use to filter candidates before they’re even reviewed by a human recruiter.
Australia’s engineering workforce is concentrated in specific regions, particularly in New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (VIC), and Queensland (QLD).
As per the latest data, the largest number of engineers are located in NSW (27,870), followed by VIC (25,361) and QLD (17,163). Other states, such as Western Australia and South Australia, follow with 14,349 and 5,672 engineers, respectively.
Conversely, the ACT, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory have fewer engineers, with 1,361, 1,129, and 579 engineers, respectively. In terms of engineering occupations, industrial, mechanical, and production engineers dominate the workforce, especially in NSW and VIC.
These sectors are crucial drivers of employment in the built environment, including civil, infrastructure, and construction, where there are currently 93,487 full-time engineers employed across Australia.
Despite the competitive nature of the job search, engineering positions in Australia are highly sought after. Job vacancies in engineering roles are currently 16.8% higher than pre-COVID levels, particularly in sectors such as construction and infrastructure, which continue to experience growth.
While post-pandemic challenges like supply chain disruptions and migration changes have influenced the job market, the demand for skilled professionals remains strong.
As of February 2024, Australia’s workforce consisted of 21.6 million people, with 14 million employed and 1.9 million actively seeking work.
Among those looking for jobs, over 75% are available to start within four weeks, indicating a strong supply of talent ready to fill engineering vacancies. Understanding this supply-and-demand dynamic is important for engineers when identifying job opportunities.
As you embark on your job search, it’s essential to be strategic about your application approach. Engineering recruiters typically spend only 6 to 8 seconds scanning a resume.
In such a brief timeframe, your key achievements and skills must be prominently displayed. Achievements should be quantifiable and pertinent, demonstrating not only technical proficiency but also problem-solving capabilities and the impact you’ve made in prior roles.
A well-crafted resume alone won’t secure a job, especially considering that 80% of Australian employers utilize ATS software to screen applications. Since only 1 in 4 resumes reach human recruiters, optimizing your resume with the appropriate keywords and formatting is crucial. This system ensures that resumes are only reviewed if they meet certain criteria, and those that don’t may never reach a human reviewer.
But how many applications does it take to land an interview?
The path from application to interview can be lengthy. According to industry data, engineers may need to submit an average of 25 to 70 job applications depending on their role and specialization.
For instance, civil engineers typically need to submit 30 to 50 applications, while mechanical engineers may require 25 to 45 applications.
After navigating the ATS and securing an interview, engineers can expect to face stiff competition. For every 267 applications submitted, only around 5.34 candidates are usually selected for an interview.
Given that only 2% of applicants are typically chosen for interviews, the odds may appear daunting. However, understanding these numbers allows you to prepare more effectively for the process and manage expectations throughout the journey.
It’s important to remember that while the engineering job market in Australia is competitive, remaining persistent, informed, and confident in your abilities is vital. With the right strategy, you’ll be well on your way to securing the engineering role you’ve diligently prepared for.
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