The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Environmental and Climate Solutions) is a four-year AQF Level 8 degree that equips students with the scientific and engineering principles needed to design, implement, and manage sustainable solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Drawing on disciplines including civil engineering, chemistry, hydrology, geomechanics, environmental science, and mathematics, the program takes a holistic approach to engineering problem-solving — preparing graduates to tackle issues such as climate change adaptation, clean water supply, environmental remediation, renewable energy transition, waste management, coastal erosion, and pollution control. Students gain both rigorous theoretical foundations and the practical skills required for professional engineering practice, with accreditation by Engineers Australia qualifying them for professional membership upon graduation.

This degree is designed for students passionate about sustainability, science, and solving real-world environmental problems through engineering innovation. It suits those who want a technically rigorous qualification that also has a genuine purpose — protecting ecosystems, improving public health, and building climate-resilient infrastructure. The curriculum typically covers topics including environmental fluid mechanics, water resources engineering, soil and groundwater contamination, climate resilience, renewable energy systems, waste treatment, environmental impact assessment, and sustainability design. Graduates combine knowledge of natural and built environments to design and implement safe, sustainable solutions.

Graduates are highly sought after across a broad range of sectors. Key employers include government departments (federal, state, and local), environmental and engineering consultancies, water utilities, construction and infrastructure companies, mining and resource organisations, renewable energy firms, research institutions, and non-governmental organisations. Programs are accredited by Engineers Australia and recognised internationally through the Washington Accord, meaning graduates can practise as professional engineers in countries including the USA, UK, China, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, and Singapore.

For domestic students applying from Year 12, entry is competitive and based on the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or its state equivalent (e.g., ATAR, ENTER, TER, OP). Typical selection ranks for environmental engineering honours degrees range from approximately 70 to 90 depending on the institution and cohort. Most Australian universities require prerequisite study in Mathematics (at least Mathematical Methods or equivalent) and strongly recommend or require at least one of Chemistry, Physics, or Specialist Mathematics at Year 12 level. English proficiency is also a prerequisite, satisfied by completion of an Australian senior secondary qualification or an equivalent result. Many institutions offer adjustment factors for students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, regional areas, or partner schools, as well as alternative entry pathways including Special Tertiary Admissions Tests (STAT), foundation programs, diploma transfers, and internal transfers from related engineering degrees.

For international students, equivalent secondary qualifications are assessed on a country-by-country basis, and English language proficiency must be demonstrated through tests such as IELTS (typically an overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0), TOEFL, or PTE Academic. Some institutions require a minimum score in Mathematics at senior secondary level. Pathway programs such as foundation studies and English language preparation courses are widely available for students who do not initially meet the direct entry requirements.

Mature-age applicants and those with prior tertiary study may also be considered on the basis of academic achievement in previous university-level courses, with a GPA-equivalent selection rank applied. Work experience alone is generally not sufficient for entry but may be considered alongside other credentials. Students who partially meet prerequisites may be able to complete bridging courses in their first year of study to ensure they have the foundational knowledge required to succeed in the program.