Marine Engineer

A marine engineer maintains, repairs, and operates mechanical and electrical systems aboard ships and maritime vessels operating in Australian waters and internationally. They diagnose equipment faults, perform preventive maintenance, troubleshoot engine systems, and ensure compliance with maritime safety regulations and class society rules. They work in engine rooms, on deck, and in shipyards, reporting to the Chief Engineer or Marine Superintendent.

Operate and monitor main propulsion engines, diesel generators, and auxiliary machinery during sea trials and routine operations. Perform daily and scheduled maintenance on marine engines, fuel systems, cooling systems, and lubrication systems according to manufacturer specifications and planned maintenance schedules. Diagnose mechanical and electrical faults in vessel systems using diagnostic tools, pressure gauges, and digital monitoring equipment. Repair or replace damaged components such as pistons, cylinders, bearings, and seals in marine engines and pumps. Maintain and service ballast systems, bilge systems, and wastewater treatment systems in compliance with MARPOL regulations. Conduct pressure tests on boiler tubes, pipework, and hydraulic systems to ensure structural integrity and safety. Oversee fuel bunkering operations and manage fuel quality testing and storage tank maintenance. Prepare engine room equipment and systems for dry dock or shipyard overhauls.

The standard entry pathway requires a diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree (ABS skill level 2). Specific qualification requirements vary by employer and state. Some employers may accept equivalent experience. Check yourcareer.gov.au for available courses and dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/free-tafe for subsidised training options.

You'll spend months away from home on ships at sea, often in confined, noisy engine rooms in extreme heat. The work is physically demanding and monotonous. Getting certified requires specific maritime qualifications that take time and money, and you may struggle to find entry-level positions without prior maritime experience.

Most positions are with shipping companies, offshore oil and gas operators, and shipyards. Realistically, work is port-based and requires relocation or commuting to coastal areas. Very few remote work options exist in this role.

Published for ANZSCO unit group 2312, the wider group this job sits in, not for this job on its own.

This is the median for full-time employees who are not managers and are paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It is a guide to what the work pays, not a wage rate.

Source: ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.

• Attention to Detailcore
• Incident Reportingcore
• Policy and Procedure Adherencecore
• Problem Solvingcore
• Process Improvement Identificationcore
• Regulatory and Legislative Awarenesscore
• Report Writingcore
• Research and Analysiscore
• Risk Identificationcore
• Stakeholder Communicationcore
• Team Collaborationcore
• Time Management and Prioritisationcore
• Verbal Communicationcore
• Written Communicationcore
• Act reliably
• Adjust engineering designs
• Continuous Learning and Upskilling
• Digital Literacy
• ERP and Inventory Systems
• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency
• Negotiation
• Process Documentation
• Quality Assurance and Checking
• Supplier Communication

• ABS OSCA 2024, occupation definition and task statements
• ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, customised report.
• ABS, 2021 Census of Population and Housing based on usual place of residence (Custom Report). OSCA Experimental Estimates.

Role data is drawn from official Australian Government sources, and each figure names where it comes from. Where a role is not in the ABS classification, the page shows no government figures for it. Data may not reflect every local variation.

Where our numbers come from.

What Marine Engineer workers move into, from ten years of tax records.

Last updated: 30 October 2026