Chemical Engineering is a four-year Honours degree that sits at the intersection of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering design. The discipline is evolving rapidly to help address challenges related to sustainability, decarbonisation, water resources, agriculture, biotechnology, and the energy transition. Students learn to design and prepare specifications for chemical process systems, as well as supervise industrial processing and fabrication of products undergoing physical and chemical changes. The degree trains engineers to translate small-scale laboratory chemistry into large, sustainable industrial-scale productions — developing the skills to make processing industries work more efficiently while minimising environmental impact by using less energy and producing less waste. Students also develop capabilities to design ways in which raw materials such as minerals and oil are converted into useful products including composites, petrol, plastics, and paper. Chemical Engineering degrees in Australia are accredited by Engineers Australia and, in many cases, also by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), enabling graduates to practise internationally under the Washington Accord.

Chemical Engineering is designed for students with a strong aptitude in science and mathematics who want to apply those disciplines to solve real-world industrial and environmental problems at scale. Graduates are highly sought after by major employers across mining and resources, oil and gas, food and beverage manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, water treatment, environmental management, renewable energy, and chemical and petrochemical production. Key employers in Australia include major mining companies, energy firms, engineering consultancies, water utilities, food manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and government regulatory bodies. The most represented industries working in Chemical Engineering in Australia are manufacturing, construction, oil, energy and gas, and mining.

For domestic undergraduate applicants, entry into a Chemical Engineering degree is primarily based on ATAR scores, which typically range from around 80 to 95 depending on the institution and competition in any given year. Most programs require prerequisite subjects at the Year 12 level, with Mathematics (typically at the level of Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics) being essential. Chemistry and Physics are strongly recommended — and in many cases required — as these subjects underpin the core technical content of the degree. Some institutions accept alternative entry pathways, such as completion of a Diploma of Engineering, TAFE qualifications, or mature-age entry provisions for students who do not meet the standard ATAR cutoff.

For international students, the key English language requirement across most Australian universities is a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no individual band below 6.0 (or equivalent in TOEFL, PTE, or other accepted tests). Academic entry requirements for international students vary by country of origin and prior qualification type, with most institutions assessing qualifications against Australian Year 12 equivalency. For postgraduate entry into a Master of Chemical Engineering, applicants typically need a completed bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or science discipline, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) that reflects academic competency — usually around a credit average or above. Some postgraduate programs also give credit for relevant professional engineering experience. All Australian Chemical Engineering degrees accredited by Engineers Australia require students to demonstrate the ability to comprehend complex science, technology, and engineering information and to actively and safely contribute in laboratory activities.