Marine Engineers

ANZSCO ID 231212

Overview

Snapshot

Employed
1,900
Future Growth
N/A
Weekly Earnings
N/A
Full-Time Share
93%
Female Share
2%
Average age
45

Summary

Marine Engineers control and manage the operation and maintenance of ship's plants and equipment.

Specialisations: Mechanical Engineering Officer (Navy), Weapons Electrical Engineering Officer (Navy).

A certificate III or IV in maritime operations (marine engineering) is needed to work as a Marine Engineer. Some workers have a diploma or advanced diploma.

Tasks

  • Plans, controls and co-ordinates the operational and maintenance requirements of a ship's propulsion and domestic plant and equipment.

  • Operates plant and equipment and performs routine maintenance on ship's systems including mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, steam generating, and fire prevention and control systems.

Characteristics

Job Type
Professionals
Skill Level
High skill
ANZSCO Occupation group
Unemployment Rate
n/a
Industries
Pathway(s)
  • University
  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Interests
  • Practical
  • Administrative
  • Enterprising
Physical Demand
  • Very Heavy

Outlook

Employment Outlook

JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Marine Transport Professionals, under the outlook section.


Earnings and hours

Working arrangements

  • Around 93% of people employed as Marine Engineers work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 27 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).

    Full-time workers work an average of 57 hours per week in their main job. This is 13 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).

    Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.


Industries

Main industries

1
Transport, Postal and Warehousing
46.5%
2
Public Administration and Safety
15.0%
3
Manufacturing
8.0%
4
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
6.1%
5
Other industries
16.3%

Regions

Employment across Australia

NSW

25.9% All occupations: 31.6%

VIC

12.1% All occupations: 25.6%

QLD

26.2% All occupations: 20.0%

SA

7.3% All occupations: 7.0%

WA

19.3% All occupations: 10.8%

TAS

5.1% All occupations: 2.0%

NT

3.0% All occupations: 1.0%

ACT

1.1% All occupations: 1.9%

Employment by State and Territory (% Share)

State Marine Engineers All Jobs Average
NSW 25.9 31.6
VIC 12.1 25.6
QLD 26.2 20.0
SA 7.3 7.0
WA 19.3 10.8
TAS 5.1 2.0
NT 3.0 1.0
ACT 1.1 1.9


  • Around 49% of Marine Engineers live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.

    Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania have a large share of employment relative to their population size.

    The regions with the largest share of workers are:

    Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.


Worker profile

Age and gender

Age In Years
45
All Jobs Average is 40
Female Share
2%
All Jobs Average is 48%
  • The median age of Marine Engineers is 45 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.

    A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.

    Females make up 2% of the workforce. This is 46 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.

    Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.

Age Profile (% Share)

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Age Bracket Marine Engineers All Jobs Average
15-19 0.6 5.0
20-24 3.7 9.3
25-34 18.7 22.9
35-44 26.2 22.0
45-54 24.7 21.6
55-59 12.9 9.0
60-64 7.8 6.0
65 and Over 5.4 4.2
Median Age 45 40

Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.


Employment Pathways

Education, training and experience

A certificate III or IV in maritime operations (marine engineering) is needed to work as a Marine Engineer. Some workers have a diploma or advanced diploma.

Visit

  • Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
  • ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
  • My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
  • AAPathways website to explore Maritime VET training pathways.

Highest Level of Education (% Share)

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Type of Qualification Marine Engineers All Jobs Average
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate 4.7 10.1
Bachelor degree 20.7 21.8
Advanced Diploma/Diploma 40.7 11.6
Certificate III/IV 30.3 21.1
Year 12 2.8 18.1
Year 11 0.0 4.8
Year 10 and below 0.8 12.5

Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.


Skills and Knowledge

Employers look for Marine Transport Professionals who work well in a team, can communicate clearly with a diverse range of people and are reliable.

Skills

Skills can be improved through training or experience.

  • 54%

    Critical thinking

    Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.

  • 54%

    Operation monitoring

    Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

  • 54%

    Troubleshooting

    Figuring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.

  • 54%

    Repairing

    Fixing machines or systems.

  • 52%

    Equipment maintenance

    Maintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.

  • 52%

    Operation and control

    Controlling equipment or systems.

  • 52%

    Monitoring

    Keeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.

  • 50%

    Active listening

    Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.

  • 48%

    Complex problem solving

    Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.

  • 48%

    Reading comprehension

    Reading work related information.

  • 48%

    Coordination with others

    Being adaptable and coordinating work with other people.

  • 48%

    Time management

    Managing your own and other peoples' time to get work done.

  • 46%

    Judgment and decision making

    Figuring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.

  • 46%

    Management of personnel resources

    Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.

  • 46%

    Quality control analysis

    Doing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.

  • 45%

    Speaking

    Talking to others.

  • 45%

    Active learning

    Being able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.

  • 43%

    Equipment selection

    Deciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

  • 43%

    Systems analysis

    Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.

  • 41%

    Writing

    Writing things for co-workers or customers.


Knowledge

These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.

  • 82%

    Mechanical

    Machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

  • 63%

    Engineering and technology

    Use engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.

  • 63%

    Administration and management

    Business principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.

  • 56%

    Transportation

    Moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.

  • 55%

    Customer and personal service

    Understanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.

  • 52%

    Chemistry

    Chemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.

  • 52%

    Mathematics

    Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.

  • 50%

    Computers and electronics

    Circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

  • 49%

    Physics

    The physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.

  • 49%

    Public safety and security

    Use of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.

  • 48%

    Education and training

    Curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

  • 45%

    Clerical

    Word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.

  • 45%

    Law and government

    How our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.

  • 44%

    Technical design

    Design techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

  • 41%

    English language

    English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

  • 39%

    Building and construction

    Materials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.

  • 37%

    Telecommunications

    Transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.

  • 36%

    Geography

    Describing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.

  • 30%

    Medicine and dentistry

    Diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.

  • 19%

    Economics and accounting

    Economics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.


Abilities

Workers use these physical and mental abilities..

  • 59%

    Oral comprehension

    Listen to and understand what people say.

  • 59%

    Problem spotting

    Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.

  • 57%

    Oral expression

    Communicate by speaking.

  • 57%

    Written comprehension

    Read and understand written information.

  • 55%

    Control precision

    Quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.

  • 55%

    Near vision

    See details that are up-close (within a few feet).

  • 55%

    Inductive reasoning

    Use lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.

  • 55%

    Selective attention

    Pay attention to something without being distracted.

  • 54%

    Deductive reasoning

    Use general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.

  • 54%

    Sorting or ordering

    Order or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

  • 52%

    Visualization

    Imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.

  • 50%

    Extent flexibility

    Bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

  • 48%

    Auditory attention

    Pay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.

  • 46%

    Arm-hand steadiness

    Keep your hand or arm steady.

  • 46%

    Finger dexterity

    Put together small parts with your fingers.

  • 46%

    Manual dexterity

    Quickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

  • 46%

    Multilimb coordination

    Use your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.

  • 46%

    Perceptual speed

    Use your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.

  • 46%

    Speech clarity

    Speak clearly so others can understand you.

  • 46%

    Speech recognition

    Identify and understand the speech of another person.


Activities

These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.

  • 84%

    Working with mechanical equipment

    Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.

  • 83%

    Handling and moving objects

    Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.

  • 73%

    Doing physically active work

    Use your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.

  • 69%

    Controlling equipment or machines

    Operating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).

  • 67%

    Monitoring people, processes and things

    Checking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.

  • 63%

    Making decisions and solving problems

    Using information to work out the best solution and solve problems.

  • 62%

    Keeping your knowledge up-to-date

    Keeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.

  • 61%

    Communicating within a team

    Giving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.

  • 61%

    Checking for errors or defects

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.

  • 59%

    Driving vehicles or equipment

    Running, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

  • 59%

    Working with electronic equipment

    Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.

  • 57%

    Thinking creatively

    Using your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.

  • 57%

    Planning and prioritising work

    Deciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.

  • 53%

    Assessing and evaluating things

    Working out the value, importance, or quality of things, services or people.

  • 53%

    Documenting or recording information

    Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

  • 51%

    Looking for changes over time

    Comparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.

  • 50%

    Researching and investigating

    Looking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.

  • 46%

    Checking compliance with standards

    Deciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

  • 43%

    Estimating amounts, costs and resources

    Working out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.

  • 41%

    Explaining things to people

    Helping people to understand and use information.


Interests and demands

Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.

Interests

Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.

  • 100%

    Practical

    Practical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

  • 76%

    Administrative

    Following set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.

  • 71%

    Enterprising

    Starting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.

  • 43%

    Analytical

    Ideas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.

  • 29%

    Helping

    Working with people. Helping or providing service to others.

  • 14%

    Creative

    Working with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.


Values

Work values are important to a person’s feeling of satisfaction. All six values are shown below.
  • 71%

    Independence

    Work alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.

  • 71%

    Relationships

    Serve and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.

  • 71%

    Support

    Supportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.

  • 67%

    Achievement

    Results oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.

  • 67%

    Recognition

    Advancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.

  • 60%

    Working conditions

    Job security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.


Demands

The physical and social demands that workers face most often are shown below:
  • 99%

    Wear common protective or safety equipment

    Wear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.

  • 97%

    Exposure to contaminants

    Be exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.

  • 97%

    Loud or uncomfortable sounds

    Be exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.

  • 95%

    Freedom to make decisions

    Have freedom to make decision on your own.

  • 94%

    Very hot or cold temperatures

    Work in very hot or cold temperatures.

  • 93%

    Contact with people

    Have contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.

  • 93%

    Face-to-face discussions

    Talk with people face-to-face.

  • 91%

    Dangerous equipment

    Work near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.

  • 91%

    Unstructured work

    Have freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.

  • 90%

    Outdoors, exposed to weather

    Work outdoors, exposed to the weather.

  • 87%

    Indoors, not heat controlled

    Work indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).

  • 86%

    Dangerous conditions

    Work near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.

  • 83%

    Teamwork

    Work with people in a group or team.

  • 81%

    Time pressure

    Work to strict deadlines.

  • 80%

    Consequence of error

    Work where mistakes have serious consequences.

  • 79%

    Using your hands to handle, control, or feel

    Spend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.

  • 79%

    Electronic mail

    Use electronic mail.

  • 78%

    Cramped work space

    Work in an awkward position or in cramped work spaces.

  • 77%

    Health and safety of others

    Take responsibility for the health and safety of others.

  • 77%

    Physically close to people

    Work physically close to other people.

Occupational Information Network
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 53-5031.00 - Ship Engineers.


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