The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Diploma of Professional Practice (Co-op Engineering) is a unique dual-award qualification that combines a fully accredited engineering honours degree with a structured, paid co-operative education experience. Spanning approximately 54 months (4.5 years) of full-time study, the course is designed for students who want to graduate not only with strong theoretical foundations but also with up to 48 weeks of real, paid industry experience embedded directly into their degree. Students choose a major from disciplines such as Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronic, or Resources/Mining Engineering, giving them the ability to tailor their qualification to their specific career ambitions. The course is fully accredited by Engineers Australia, meaning graduates are recognised as professional engineers and are eligible for Graduate membership with Engineers Australia upon completion.

The co-operative education (Co-op) model is what sets this qualification apart from a standard engineering degree. Rather than completing a conventional work placement at the end of studies, students alternate between academic study and structured paid industry placements throughout their degree. These placements are coordinated by the university and are directly relevant to the student's chosen engineering major. Employers engaging with Co-op programs span a wide range of industries, including infrastructure, construction, mining, energy, utilities, manufacturing, defence, and resources. The course strongly focuses on contextual learning and promoting sustainable development, so students apply engineering theory to authentic industry scenarios throughout their studies.

This qualification is ideally suited to students who are motivated, career-focused, and eager to combine academic learning with practical professional experience from early in their studies. The Co-op structure appeals to students who want to build professional networks, earn income while studying, and graduate with a competitive advantage in the Australian engineering labour market. Employers who take on Co-op students often have strong pipelines for graduate employment, making this degree a direct pathway to full-time professional engineering careers in both the private and public sectors.

Entry into the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Diploma of Professional Practice (Co-op Engineering) typically requires completion of an Australian Year 12 qualification (or equivalent) with a competitive ATAR. Minimum ATAR thresholds across Australian providers generally range from approximately 60 to 85, depending on the institution and the engineering major selected. All applicants are expected to have studied Mathematics (at the level of Mathematical Methods Units 3 and 4 or equivalent) as a prerequisite or assumed knowledge subject. Additional recommended subjects include Physics, Chemistry, and Design/Graphics. Providers commonly list specific subject prerequisites, and students who do not meet these prerequisites may be required to complete bridging units in their first year of study.

For international students and domestic students from non-English-speaking backgrounds, English language proficiency requirements apply. A common benchmark is an overall IELTS score of 6.0–6.5 (with no band below 6.0), or equivalent scores in TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, or other accepted tests. Some providers may accept results from prior English-medium study in lieu of a formal language test. Students who do not meet standard entry requirements can often access the degree through alternative pathways, including foundation or enabling programs, TAFE qualifications (Certificate IV or higher), completion of prior higher education study, or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for relevant work experience.

The Co-op component of the program typically carries additional requirements. Prior to undertaking industry placements, students may be required to undergo health and/or security checks as stipulated by the placement employer. Industry placement activities are coordinated by the university, though students are expected to demonstrate professional readiness, including the ability to work safely in an engineering environment. Students must accumulate a minimum of 48 weeks of paid, assessed industry placement to qualify for the Diploma of Professional Practice component of the dual award.