Your Pathway to a Career in Power Engineering: Study Options Across Australia

If you’re excited by the challenge of powering our homes, cities, and industries—and even driving the renewable energy transition—then a career in power engineering might be for you. This essential field sits at the heart of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. But how do you get there? Here’s a guide to the study pathways, including the degrees and specialisations offered by Australian universities.

The foundation: Electrical Engineering degrees

The most common entry point into power engineering is a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering. This four-year degree equips students with the core knowledge and technical skills in circuits, electronics, power systems, and electromagnetics. Many universities offer this as a standalone degree or as part of a broader Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), where students select electrical engineering as their major.

Key Australian universities offering electrical engineering programs include:

• University of New South Wales (UNSW): Bachelor of Electrical Engineering (Honours), with elective streams in power engineering and renewable energy.

• University of Melbourne: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Design followed by a Master of Engineering (Electrical).

• University of Queensland (UQ): Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) with an Electrical and Computer Engineering major.

• Monash University: Bachelor of Electrical and Computer Systems Engineering (Honours), covering power systems and smart grids.

• RMIT University: Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) (Honours) with strong industry links and co-op opportunities.

• University of Adelaide: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) with power systems electives.

• University of Sydney: Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Electrical Engineering), including units on energy systems.

Specialising in power systems and renewable energy

Within these degrees, many universities offer electives, majors, or streams focusing on power systems engineering or renewable energy integration. You’ll explore topics such as high-voltage engineering, grid stability, renewable generation technologies, and energy storage. Some universities even offer double degrees that combine electrical engineering with commerce, computer science, or environmental science to broaden your career scope.

For students interested in the clean energy transition, degrees like Bachelor of Renewable Energy Engineering at UNSW or Renewable Energy Engineering streams at UQ and Curtin University provide a unique pathway into power engineering roles aligned with sustainability goals.

Hands-on experience and postgraduate options

Industry experience is critical in power engineering. Most universities integrate work placements, internships, or industry projects into their engineering degrees. Graduate programs, like those run by large energy utilities and infrastructure companies, further build on this experience.

For students seeking to deepen their expertise, postgraduate study is highly regarded in power engineering. Master’s programs like the Master of Engineering (Electrical) at the University of Melbourne or Master of Professional Engineering (Electrical Power) at UWA offer advanced coursework and research opportunities, preparing graduates for senior technical roles or specialised fields like grid connection engineering or systems planning engineering.

Vocational pathways

Alternatively, some students begin their journey through vocational education. Completing a Certificate IV in Electrical Equipment and Systems or a Diploma of Electrical Engineering through TAFE or other RTOs can lead to technician roles, apprenticeships, and ultimately pathways into engineering degrees via credit transfer.

Mapping your future in power

Whether you’re aiming to be a power systems engineer, grid connection engineer, or a network delivery engineer, the study pathway into power engineering offers flexibility, exciting challenges, and diverse career opportunities. From designing Australia’s next-generation grids to integrating renewables, a degree in electrical or power engineering will empower you to make a real impact on the world’s energy future.

To hear real stories from the people studying and working towards a career in power, check out: https://www.api.edu.au/career-profiles