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Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians

Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians assist in mechanical engineering research, design, manufacture, construction, operation and maintenance of machines, manufacturing equipment, mechanical installations and facilities.

Trades & constructionANZSCO 3125
$2,589/wkMedian full-time pay
5,435People employed
+13% ▲Growth to 2035
94%Work full time
44Median age
Source: ABS · JSA, 2025-26ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), February 2026; ABS Employee Earnings and Hours May 2025; JSA Employment Projections, May 2025 base. ANZSCO 3125.More about our sources: How we check our facts

What they do

The main tasks of this occupation, from the national occupation standard.

preparing drawings, plans and designs for mechanical engineering work under the direction of mechanical engineers and engineering technologistsassisting mechanical engineers and engineering technologists in the design of mechanical equipment and plantselecting tools and equipmentassembling and installing new and modified mechanical assemblies, components, machine tools and controls, and hydraulic power systemsestimating material costs and quantities, and machine requirementsperforming and directing field and laboratory tests
Source: JSA occupation profileTask list from the Jobs and Skills Australia occupation profile for ANZSCO 3125 (ANZSCO task statements).More about our sources: How we check our facts

The outlook

Room for 800 more people in mechanical engineering draftspersons and technicians by 2035 ▲

The field shrank 5.8% in the year to February 2026, losing about 300 workers. Most of the jobs are in WA and QLD, with NSW third.

Source: JSA · ABS, 2025-26ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), February 2026; ABS Employee Earnings and Hours May 2025; JSA Employment Projections, May 2025 base. ANZSCO 3125.More about our sources: How we check our facts
6.8k2025
7.2k2030 PROJ.
7.6k2035 PROJ.

Getting in

Most mechanical engineering draftspersons and technicians came through a certificate or diploma. 62% did.

A university degree is rare here: 23% hold one. The trade qualification is the standard way in. These are the nationally recognised courses mapped to this occupation, with the number of registered training providers that offer each one.

Source: JSA · training.gov.auEducation split: JSA (Jobs and Skills Australia) occupation profile, using ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Census data, ANZSCO 3125. Qualification mapping and provider counts: training.gov.au, the national register of vocational education, October 2026. Listed providers are current registered training providers (private providers and TAFE institutes).More about our sources: How we check our facts

Nationally recognised training · most offered first

MEM30522Certificate III

Certificate III in Engineering - Technical

Manufacturing and Engineering.

See 14 providers
MEM60122Advanced Diploma

Advanced Diploma of Engineering

Manufacturing and Engineering.

See 11 providers
MEM40422Certificate IV

Certificate IV in Engineering Drafting

Manufacturing and Engineering.

See 10 providers
See all 5 mapped courses
MEM30522Certificate III in Engineering - Technical · 14 providers
MEM60122Advanced Diploma of Engineering · 11 providers
MEM40422Certificate IV in Engineering Drafting · 10 providers
CPC50520Diploma of Fire Systems Design · 6 providers
52932WAAdvanced Diploma of Plant Engineering · 1 provider

Providers are shown in A-Z order on each course page. A listing is not a recommendation.

Jobs open right now

5,435 Australians do this work. See who is hiring this month.

Search job ads by state

Each link opens seek.com.au in a new tab, showing ads posted in the last month. SEEK is a job site; we link there because that is where most Australian jobs are advertised. We have no commercial relationship with SEEK.

Source: ABS · JSA, 2025-26State chart shows people employed, not current job ads. ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) Labour Force via Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), February 2026; ABS Employee Earnings and Hours May 2025; JSA Employment Projections, May 2025 base. ANZSCO 3125.More about our sources: How we check our facts

People employed by state, 2025-26

WA1.8k
QLD1.4k
NSW1k
VIC1k
SA0.5k
TAS0.1k
ACT0.1k
NT0.1k