Chemical Engineering in Australia: Salary, Jobs, Courses & Companies

Chemical Engineering in Australia is a great career option. Chemical engineers are in demand across diverse fields.  Five of the top 100 chemical engineering universities are in Australia. Australian universities offer Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD courses. Moreover, Australian cities are globally ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world. A chemical engineer can become a process design engineer, environmental engineer, petroleum engineer or plant process engineer among others. Keep reading to learn more about chemical engineering in Australia.

Why Study Chemical Engineering in Australia?

Australia has some of the best universities in the world and offers a great quality of life. There are plenty of reasons students should choose chemical engineering in Australia. These are listed below:

• As per the QS World Ranking 2023, Australia has some of the best universities in the world. For example, the University of Melbourne, the University of Queensland, and Monash University
• Australian universities offer internships and job opportunities to prepare students for the job market.
• After completing chemical engineering in Australia students can work in diverse fields. They can work as a chemical engineer, biomedical engineer, and safety engineers, among others. Moreover, they can earn a high salary. 

Top Universities for Chemical Engineering in Australia 

The best five universities for chemical engineering in the world are located in Australia. Australian universities are known for providing quality education, and excellent research facilities. Here is a list of the top universities for chemical engineering in Australia.

University Name	Course	QS World Ranking 2025
University of Queensland	Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)- chemical engineering	40
The University of Adelaide	Master of Engineering- chemical	82
Curtin University	Bachelors of Engineering (Hons)- chemical engineering	183
UNSW Global	Diploma in Engineering (Hons)- chemical engineering	NA
University of New South Wales	Bachelors of Engineering (Hons)- Computer Science chemical engineering	19
Edith Cowan University	Master of Engineering- chemical	651-700

Chemical Engineering in Australia Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for chemical engineers vary based on the level of education. However, we have provided the general eligibility criteria for master’s and bachelor’s courses. Students can refer to this, before applying for the course.

Bachelor in Chemical Engineering

The eligibility criteria for Bachelors in Chemical Engineering is as follows:

• Must have cleared 12 examinations from a recognized university. Do note that the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR)  requirement for the CBSE schools is 11.5
• Must meet the academic requirements of the university such as Mathematics ATAR, and having at least one of the 3 subjects- Mathematics Specialist ATAR, Chemistry ATAR, or Physics ATAR. All these subjects are recommended. Students who do not have the same might have to undertake additional units in the 1st year to meet the requirements
• Additionally, the student must meet the English eligibility requirements. For example, clear the IELTS/TOEFL examination

Masters in Chemical Engineering 

The eligibility requirements for a Master in Chemical Engineering are as follows:

• Must meet the academic requirements of the university. For example, Prior qualification in an engineering major (minimum 65%), or any undergraduate degree with mathematics or chemistry in the first year
• Additionally, the student must have cleared English proficiency examinations such as IELTS/TOEFL and provide a statement of purpose, and a letter of recommendations

Chemical Engineering in Australia Syllabus

The syllabus for chemical engineering in Australia varies on the basis of the level of study. Australian universities offer courses in Bachelor, Master, and Diploma courses.

Therefore we have provided the general syllabus for Chemical Engineering in Australia syllabus for undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Bachelors in Chemical Engineering Syllabus

During the duration of the course, students will gain knowledge of chemical engineering, and chemistry to optimise complex chemical processes in general industry, environmental management, and services such as water delivery.

A student will master all processes, translating small-scale chemistry into large-scale industrial production. The core subjects and electives of this subject are provided below:

Core subjects	Electives
Computing for Engineers	Advanced Reaction Engineering
Chemical Reaction Engineering	Collaboration and Innovation in Business
Environment and Sustainability	Grand Challenges for Engineering
Process Modelling and Analysis	Sustainable Energy
	Pharmaceutical Design and Engineering
	Entrepreneurial Engineering
	International Humanitarian Response

Masters in Chemical Engineering Syllabus

Masters in Chemical Engineering in Australia is a 2-3 years full-time study depending on the prior study of the student. In the first year, a student will learn foundational engineering subjects. It is meant for students from a non-engineering background.

Those who have completed the chemical systems majors in their bachelor’s with the required maths and science subjects will receive credit for the same and can start the 2nd year. 

In the 2nd year or equivalent, a student has to focus on the selected engineering discipline, The student will be focusing on the design and implementation of industrial-scale processes for converting raw materials into usable products.

Hence, students undertake industry, design or research projects and gain knowledge for the same. Some of the specialization courses available in Australia are listed below:

• Business
• Sustainability and environment
• Materials and Minerals
• Industry, design and research subjects (like Creating Innovative Engineering subject, Chemical Engineering Research subject, and Chemical Engineering Design Projects)

Also Read: Chemical Engineering Syllabus

Application Process 

Students can approach the Leverage Edu experts to start the application process. The steps of the application process are as follows

• The  Leverage Edu experts will start the application process with the respective university
• Documents such as SOPs, Essays, LORs and IELTS, TOEFL etc. submitted to the university
• The application process for accommodation, student visas, and scholarships/student loans has been started 
• Lastly, the student needs to wait for a period of 4-6 weeks to receive the offer letter 

Also Read: How to Calculate CGPA in Engineering

Documents Required 

Several documents are required for admission to Australian universities. These documents are essential to verify the student profile. Below are the main documents a student needs to submit

• The academic Transcripts of the student
• Passport, Visa, Updated CV/Resume
• English Language Proficiency Test Scores,
• Letter of Recommendations, and Statement of Purpose
• Financial Evidence

Cost of Studying

Here is the cost of studying chemical engineering in Australia:

University Name	Total Tuition Fees
University of Queensland	AUD 189,056
The University of Adelaide	AUD 102,000
Curtin University	AUD 146,370
UNSW Global	AUD 41,760
University of New South Wales	AUD 241,100

Career Scope 

After completing chemical engineering in Australia a student can pursue a career in diverse fields.

Some of the popular career options include becoming a chemical engineer, process engineer, service engineer, technical manager, environmental engineer, petroleum engineer, materials engineer and chemical process engineer. 

Jobs and Salary

After completing Chemical Engineering in Australia can apply for various jobs. Students from this field earn some of the highest salaries. However, the salary for a fresher and a professional varies.

Below we have listed some of the best jobs that a student can take up after completing chemical engineering in Australia.

Designation	Average Annual Salary
Chemical Engineer	$111,149
Process Engineer	$108,000
Environmental Engineer	$93,436
Petroleum Engineer	$182,582
Technical Manager	$140,000

Also Read: Best Engineering Courses For Future

Which Engineering is Best for PR in Australia?

The engineering course that is best suited for PR in Australia is as electrical engineering. The reason for it is provided below:

• Electrical engineering provides PR options in technology and infrastructure sector.
• Moreover, the electrical engineers are in Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL). This makes them eligible for PR.
• Electrical engineers are required in the telecommunications, power generation, and automation industries. 
• An improved chance of PR through the skilled migration program would mean points for work experience, qualifications, and age.
• Regional areas in Australia have a demand for electrical engineers. This means additional opportunities in regional pathways.
• An electrical engineering degree would increase the work opportunities and the chances of securing PR.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pursuing chemical engineering in Australia offers students access to insightful research, world-class facilities, and industry connections.

With a strong focus on innovation and sustainability, Australian universities provide excellent opportunities for career advancement and global recognition in the dynamic field of chemical engineering.

FAQs

Chemical Engineering in Australia is a great choice. Students can opt for bachelor’s, master’s or diploma courses in the field of chemical engineering. To discover more articles like this one consult the study abroad experts at Leverage Edu.