We’re in a skills shortage – and with abilities that are widely celebrated but notoriously challenging to develop, it’s no surprise that engineers are in high demand. Many Australian businesses are left with roles that are increasingly harder to fill.
The Global Engineering Talent (GET) Program bridges the gap between overseas qualified engineers and the Australian businesses who need them. The program includes comprehensive training and a potential placement to help engineers adapt their skills for the local workforce.
For engineers, it’s a key to unlock rewarding employment in your field. And for businesses, it’s a steady pipeline of skilled candidates ready to hit the ground running.
For businesses
Duration
12-week work placement
Next intake
January 2025
Fees*
$9,000 ex GST per engineer**
*Government funding
available in QLD and NT
**Paid by the business in
addition to candidate wages
For engineers
Duration
6-weeks online training
12-weeks work placement*
Next intake
January 2025
Fees
No costs involved for
overseas qualified engineers (candidates)
* Work placement is not guaranteed
and is dependant upon a suitable
opportunity arising before online training.
Funding available
We are partnering with government departments to fund the upfront cost of GET program candidates.
Queensland: Funding is available for clean energy roles. Limited to 20 places. Learn more
Northern Territory: Funding is available for local engineering positions. Limited to 20 places in 2024. Learn more
The GET program is delivered in two parts, beginning with 6-weeks of live-facilitated and self-paced online learning designed to simulate an Australian engineering project. From there, participating engineers may be pre-selected to embark on a 12-week paid work placement in their field, gaining valuable local experience.
Participants cover a range of topics with a specifically Australian lens. Themes include:
- The Australian workplace
- Contract work: problem, solution, and evaluation
- Presentation of engineering solutions
- Engineering-focused English language
As part of the program, participants get:
- An Engineers Australia mentor
- A free year of Engineers Australia membership, to support ongoing learning and deeper connections within Australia’s engineering community.
- Access to the Career Support Program to prepare them for the Australian workplace
Engineers who complete the program will be equipped with the local experience and knowledge they need to thrive in Australian businesses. By filling these knowledge gaps, we’re empowering a talented and qualified pool of engineers to put their skills to use where they’re needed most.
Championing diversity and inclusion
The GET Program is part of Engineers Australia's commitment to a diverse and inclusive profession. Research shows this improves staff engagement, enhances decision-making and can improve business outcomes and profitability.
Through the GET Program, your business can access a steady pipeline of skilled engineers ready to jump on projects, while giving them the opportunity to embark on a rewarding career with a local employer.
Here's how the program works. To join the program and get matched with engineering candidates, you'll need to complete the following steps:
- Register your interest
- Complete a company profile* to outline your skill requirements
- Program candidates are matched with your needs
- Select the candidates to interview
- Choose the candidate that best fits
- Sign the work placement or employment contracts
- Program invoicing occurs
- Selected participants start 12-weeks paid work placement with you
- The engineer is awarded with a micro-credential and you’re free to extend an employment offer
*hosted by program partner Career Success Australia
The program’s work placement component is delivered over 12-weeks.
Participants complete 6-weeks online training before or during the matching and interview process in preparation for the placement.
The program costs $9000 + GST per engineer. This is paid by the business in addition to participant wages.
Right now, funding is available to cover the upfront cost of GET program participants in:
Queensland: Funding is available for clean energy roles. Limited to 20 places. Learn more
Northern Territory: Funding is available for local engineering positions. Limited to 20 places in 2024. Learn more
Engineers are in high demand in Australia, with many organisations struggling to fill their skilled roles. Even so, many engineers who received their qualifications overseas struggle to find work here in their field.
The GET Program is designed to bridge this gap, bringing Australian employers and global talent together in a way that benefits everyone. This program will equip you with the skills and experience you need to thrive in the Australian Workplace.
To apply for the program, you'll need to complete the following steps:
- Check eligibility criteria
- Complete the expression of interest (EOI) form and upload your CV and visa.
If your application is successful, you’ll be invited to start the program. Here's how the program works: :
- Join the Career Support Program
- Participate in 6-weeks of online training
- You'll be allocated an Engineers Australia mentor
- Your free year of Engineers Australia membership will be arranged
- (If applicable) Complete 12-weeks paid work placement
- You may be matched with and interviewed by a local engineering business if your skills and experience meet their requirements
- If successful, you’ll receive an paid work placement or employment offer
- You’ll complete 12-weeks paid work placement
- The GET program will be completed, and
- You will receive a Credly badge*
- You can get assessed for a micro-credential**
- You’ll have local skills and knowledge, and be in a great position to apply for a job in your field
*If the 6-week online training is completed.
**If the 12-week work placement is completed.
To be eligible, participants need to be overseas qualified engineers who:
- Have at least 3 years of work experience in the engineering field, with the most recent role being within the last 3 years
- Are not currently working in an engineering role, or at a level in line with their qualifications and experience
- Are not currently studying to obtain a tertiary qualification
- Are available to participate in the 6-week part-time online training and full-time 12-week work placement (a total of 18-weeks)
- Are living in Australia with a valid Australian Visa with full working rights
- Meet the requirements for a full Engineers Australia membership
- Hold a minimum bachelor’s degree in engineering issued by an overseas education institution
- Have a Migration Skills Assessment or Stage 1 Competency issued by Engineers Australia
Not eligible?
This program may not be right for you, but if you’re looking to grow your expertise, tap into Australian engineering communities and access exciting opportunities in your field, consider becoming an Engineers Australia member.
The program is delivered over 18-weeks:
- 6-weeks part-time online training consisting of 1.5 hours of facilitated classes per day, five days a week (Monday – Fridays)*
- 12-weeks full-time paid placement**
*An additional 1.5 hours of independent study per class is recommended, totalling an average commitment of 15 hours per week
**If applicable, with exact hours to be determined by the work placement host business
There are no costs involved for overseas qualified engineers.
Inclusions
Throughout the program, you'll have access to a mentor from Engineers Australia and as well as a free year (12-months) of Engineers Australia membership, to support ongoing learning and connection with Australia’s engineering community.
If you successfully complete the online training, you'll receive a GET Program Credly Badge to showcase on your CV and LinkedIn profile.
And if you participate in a work-placement, you'll also have the opportunity to apply for an Engineers Australia Micro-credential on Local Engineering Knowledge. This includes another Credly Badge to showcase on your CV and LinkedIn profile.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, you'll have local skills and knowledge to add to your CV and be in a great position to apply for a job in your field.
We have partnered with the Queensland government to fund the upfront cost of 20 GET program candidates.
As part of Queensland’s investment in renewable energy supply chains, candidates must be placed at an engineering business with clean energy projects in Queensland.
It’s a win for the business, the engineering talent, and the sector.
As part of Queensland’s Clean Energy Workforce Roadmap, the Queensland Government will fully fund the $9000 per-engineer onboarding cost of 20 GET program candidates.
Businesses only have to pay the wages for the 12-week work placement.
For businesses
All Queensland-located businesses and engineering disciplines can be considered. However, positions offered to GET Program candidates must be related to a clean energy project.
For more information on clean energy projects, see the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
For overseas qualified engineers (candidates)
For this initiative, candidates must be located in Queensland.
Read the For overseas qualified engineers section for additional program eligibility criteria.
The program is delivered over 18-weeks:
- 6-weeks online training, followed by or in conjunction with
- 12-weeks paid placement, working on a clean energy related projects
Start your application by submitting your expression of interest now.
We have partnered with the Northern Territory government to fund the upfront cost of 20 GET program candidates.
This forms part of the territory’s commitment to address critical workforce shortages in priority sectors. As such, the funding is available for locally based businesses, working on local projects.
The Northern Territory Government will fully fund the $9000 per-engineer onboarding cost of 20 GET program candidates, through the Flexible workforce development fund.
Businesses only have to pay the wages for the 12-week work placement.
For businesses
All Northern Territory-located businesses and engineering disciplines can be considered. Positions offered must be based in the Northern Territory.
For more information, see the NT Flexible workforce development fund.
For overseas qualified engineers (candidates)
For this initiative, candidates must be located in the Northern Territory.
Read the For overseas qualified engineers section for additional program eligibility criteria.
The program is delivered over 18-weeks:
- 6-weeks online training, followed by or in conjunction with
- 12-weeks paid placement, working in the NT on a local project
Start your application by submitting your expression of interest now.