Top Mechanical Engineering Universities in Australia
If you are set to pursue a career as an engineer, the top mechanical engineering universities in Australia can get you there. Engineers are in high demand across various niches in Australia. Meanwhile, the country is home to some of the best engineering schools in the world. 11 of the top 200 universities for mechanical engineering are in Australia! Overall, 20 Australian universities rank among the world’s best for mechanical engineering.
Mechanical engineers are in high demand in Australia and overseas. With a great degree from an excellent Australian university, you will hold qualifications and credentials with global recognition. Let’s jump into the details of studying mechanical engineering in Australia and what it means for your career.
Why Study Mechanical Engineering in Australia
STEM subjects, including engineering, represent one of the biggest growth sectors in Australia. This growth reflects in the statistic that over 80% of engineering students find a job within just six months of graduation!
This makes a lot of sense, considering the close alignment of Australian universities with industry demand. One of the reasons so many Australian universities occupy world rankings for engineering is because of the strong industry relevance of their programs. Graduates of these universities possess the skills and experience that job sectors look for. This sets you up for career opportunities both in Australia and beyond.
What is Mechanical Engineering?
Engineering is a broad field with dozens of subdisciplines. One of its most popular subdisciplines is the field of mechanical engineering. This subject delves into the design, development, and production of the systems that make the world we live in possible. Concepts like thermodynamics, systems modelling, and structural materials are all concepts and applications of mechanical engineering. Air conditioners and heaters, the mechanisms that make cars, aircraft, and satellites move safely, and even the construction of buildings involve mechanical engineering concepts.
Because of the broad relevance and necessity of these functions, there is a consistent and high demand for mechanical engineers. By graduating from one of the top mechanical engineering universities in Australia, you give yourself the competitive edge to stand out to employers!
Career Opportunities for Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical engineering principles apply to a range of specialist engineering fields and applications. As we discussed above, mechanical engineers will consistently stay in high demand thanks to the relevance of the systems they work with in our lives.
Some career fields for mechanical engineering graduates that are on the path to see huge growth in Australia include aircraft maintenance engineers (+16.7% growth) and telecommunication engineers (+17.6% growth). The skilled occupation areas in which the Australian government is keen to hire graduates also include:
• Aeronautical Engineer
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
• Computer Network and Systems Engineer
• Geotechnical Engineer
• ICT Quality Assurance Engineer
• ICT Systems Test Engineer
• Industrial Engineer
• Materials Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson/Technician
The Best Mechanical Engineering Universities in Australia
Below are some of the top mechanical engineering universities in Australia – as well as the world!
| University Name | QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 |
| UNSW | =50 |
| The University of Melbourne | =59 |
| Monash University | =63 |
| The University of Sydney | #67 |
| The University of Queensland | =97 |
| RMIT University | #114 |
| Australian National University | =134 |
| Queensland University of Technology (QUT) | 151-200 |
| The University of Adelaide | 151-200 |
| University of Technology Sydney | 151-200 |
This hardly captures the potential opportunities for mechanical engineering prospects in Australia. To explore the options that best match your requirements, try the GRADSearch engine!
To start your search, simply type “mechanical engineering” into the search bar, and apply the necessary filters to narrow your search down. The course search engine will then scan through its entire database of over 130,000 programs to generate a course subject list that matches your requirements. From here, you can scan through the previews of each program and explore these in more detail when you find an option that matches your interest.
Have a look at some of the best universities in Australia to consider for mechanical engineering below!
UNSW
The University of New South Wales is #1 in Australia for Mechanical, Aeronautical, and Manufacturing Engineering. At UNSW, you can explore specialist fields such as:
• Aerospace Engineering
• Manufacturing Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronic Engineering
• Nuclear Engineering
UNSW graduates rank as Australia’s most employable according to the AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards. The School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering incorporates industry experience into their programs along with optimizing their curriculum for industry relevance.
Program Options:
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) – Mechanical Engineering
• Master of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)
Monash University
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Monash University commits to raising the engineering leaders of the future. The department and its programs rank Monash University among the top 60 best universities in the world for mechanical engineering. Monash’s engineering programs stand out thanks to, among other things, its industry internships and placements, with excellent graduate outcomes.
Overall, Monash University is among the top 40 best universities in the world, with global recognition for its high academic standards and excellent graduate outcomes. You can explore mechanical engineering disciplines in:
• Aerospace Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering
Program Options:
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honors):
Applicants to this program study one common first year, after which they can choose their specializations and minors. For mechanical engineering students, you can choose among:
o Aerospace Engineering
o Mechanical Engineering
o Materials Engineering
o Robotics & Mechatronics Engineering
o Environmental Engineering
• Master of Professional Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
RMIT University
Engineering graduates from RMIT University qualify for professional membership in Engineers Australia, which, along with the university’s strong industry connections, accelerates students into formal careers as mechanical engineers. As a leader in the field, RMIT University is one of the top mechanical engineering universities in Australia for future engineering professionals.
Among the excellent perks of its programs are the experiential learning it incorporates into the curriculum and opportunities like international work placements.
Program Options
• Advanced Diploma of Engineering (Mechanical)
• Associate Degree in Engineering Technology
• Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) (Honors)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) (Honors) /Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honors)
• Master of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)
• Master of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering & Aviation)
Queensland University of Technology
At Queensland University of Technology, you will work with technical experts and specialists for hands-on learning. QUT is an ambitious university with a strong research and industry focus on technology and innovation. QUT calls itself “the university of the real world”, preparing graduates for hands-on, practical learning and experience that makes them stand out as mechanical engineers. Thanks to QUT’s work placement opportunities, you may get to work with leading companies like Komatsu and BMW!
Program Options:
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) (Mechanical)
• Master of Professional Engineering (Mechanical)
University of Technology Sydney
The University of Technology Sydney, or UTS, is one of the top 100 best universities in the world and Australia’s #1 youngest university. It is also among the top mechanical engineering universities in Australia.
UTS prides itself on the experiential learning opportunities it integrates into its courses and the industry connections it leverages to create practical learning pathways for students. UTS partners with over 1,000 companies, enabling students at UTS Engineering to benefit from industry experience, internships, and engagement. As a result, UTS is #5 in Australia for graduate employability, with over 95% of engineering graduates in full-time employment within three years of completing their degree.
Program Options:
Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) in
• Mechanical Engineering (Major)
• Mechatronic Engineering (Major)
• Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering (Major)
Rounding Up
If we tried to break down all the excellent programs on offer from the top mechanical engineering universities in Australia, we would be here all day. And that’s a great thing – the availability of high-value choices and variety lets you investigate and apply to your ideal engineering program to study abroad! Check out the programs that match your needs with GRADSearch or contact one of our Student Success Consultants to explore options matching your profile.
