A new guide developed by Consult Australia and Engineers Australia aims to help businesses address skills shortages by turning on the global talent tap.
More than 60% of Australia’s engineering workforce was born overseas, yet nearly half of overseas-qualified engineers seeking work are unemployed. A new guide developed by Consult Australia and Engineers Australia aims to help businesses turn on the global talent tap.
Engineering skills remain in high demand across all disciplines. Shortages persist, according to the 2024 Infrastructure Australia Market Capacity Report, despite ongoing efforts to grow the local talent pipeline.
Around 25,000 qualified engineers will retire by 2026, representing two-thirds of Australian-born engineering graduates. But waiting for more local graduates isn’t the answer and that’s why Consult Australia and Engineers Australia have published their Improving access to global engineering skills business guide.
An engineering degree takes around five and a half years to complete, with at least another five years of professional experience required to meet the requirements of independent practice. This means a student in Year 12 in 2025 won’t join the engineering workforce as an independent engineer until around 2035.
So, how can businesses bridge the skills gap and build a resilient engineering workforce?
Consult Australia and Engineers Australia have developed a new national guide to help businesses access the untapped potential of overseas-qualified engineers. “The guide steps through the business process for hiring overseas-qualified engineers,” says Kristine Banks, Consult Australia’s national policy manager.
The publication outlines key steps for businesses of all sizes, from understanding qualification frameworks to navigating visa requirements, and equips firms with information as they recruit, integrate and retain international talent.
“The business guide outlines case studies, myth-busters and practical insights to help companies evaluate the opportunities and make informed hiring decisions,” said Banks. “Infrastructure Australia reports that engineers face the most acute skills shortage of any occupation. Addressing this challenge requires multiple solutions – and this guide offers a practical pathway to accessing global talent,” she said.
Consult Australia and Engineers Australia developed the business guide as part of the Leading Through Collaboration partnership agreement forged in 2024.
Click here to download the Business Guide: Improving access to global engineering skills.
