The Master of Professional Engineering (MPE) is an advanced, professionally accredited postgraduate qualification at the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level 9, designed to equip graduates with the engineering professional practice and research skills required to be recognised as a professional engineer in Australia and internationally. The course is structured around specialised engineering disciplines — such as Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Structural, Chemical, Software, Biomedical, Aerospace, Environmental, and Power Engineering — and blends advanced engineering technical units with professional practice, design projects, and research components. It is the key qualification for graduates seeking an internationally recognised credential to practise as a professional engineer in Australia and Washington Accord countries, which include the UK, USA, Canada, and many others. Programs are accredited by Engineers Australia (EA), enabling graduates to achieve EA Stage 1 Competencies and qualify for graduate membership at the Professional Engineer level.

The course is designed in consultation with industry and equips graduates with both outstanding technical skills and the ability to work creatively as part of a multidisciplinary team across a diverse range of engineering specialisations. Graduates find employment across a broad spectrum of industries including energy and resources, pharmaceutical manufacturing, construction, power and water utilities, management and consultancy firms, electronics, finance, telecommunications, and defence. Whether a student wants to transition into a new engineering specialisation, upgrade a non-accredited overseas qualification to meet Australian industry requirements, or deepen their expertise in a chosen discipline, the Master of Professional Engineering provides a structured and industry-relevant pathway to achieving those goals.

Entry requirements for the Master of Professional Engineering vary across Australian providers but generally require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related discipline. Most institutions require either a three or four-year Bachelor of Engineering in the relevant or a related specialisation, with a minimum weighted average mark (WAM) of around 65% (high credit). Applicants who hold a three-year engineering degree or a degree from a non-accredited institution may be required to complete a bridging program such as a Graduate Diploma in Professional Engineering before gaining direct entry into the master's program. Some institutions also offer preliminary courses or pathway units for applicants with backgrounds in science, physics, or mathematics who do not hold a full engineering degree. Applicants with a four-year Bachelor of Engineering already accredited by Engineers Australia in the same discipline are generally not eligible for this course in that same discipline, as the MPE is specifically designed to confer accreditation — such students are usually directed to Master of Philosophy or Master of Engineering Management programs instead.

For international students, English language proficiency requirements typically apply. A minimum IELTS overall band score of 6.5, with no individual band below 6.0, is a common benchmark across Australian institutions. Some universities accept equivalent scores from TOEFL, PTE, or other recognised English proficiency tests. Work experience is not typically a formal entry requirement, although students with relevant professional experience may be granted credit or exemptions from certain components such as the mandatory industrial placement — typically 12 weeks — required by Engineers Australia accreditation standards. Prerequisites in mathematics (including linear algebra and calculus) and physics or chemistry are often specified and must have been completed within the past 10 years.