A Master Qualifying Program (MQP) in Engineering is a postgraduate pathway qualification designed to help students who hold an overseas or non-professionally accredited engineering degree gain the academic standing required to enter a full Master of Engineering or Master of Professional Engineering program at an Australian university. The program bridges academic and professional gaps by providing students with Australian engineering practice fundamentals, advanced technical coursework, and academic skills necessary to succeed in higher postgraduate study and ultimately achieve Engineers Australia accreditation at the Professional Engineer level. It is commonly structured as one semester to one year of intensive coursework, and upon successful completion, students receive direct entry into specified master's degree programs.

The program is particularly suited to international students and domestic graduates who completed a three-year or non-accredited engineering degree, or who studied engineering in a discipline or institution not recognised under the Washington Accord or by Engineers Australia. It covers foundational and bridging material across core engineering disciplines — including civil, mechanical, electrical, and software engineering — while also introducing students to Australian engineering standards, professional practice frameworks, and industry expectations. Typical subjects include engineering mathematics, systems analysis, project management principles, technical communication, and discipline-specific content.

Graduates who complete the qualifying program and go on to finish a master's degree are positioned to work across a wide range of engineering-intensive industries in Australia, including infrastructure and construction, energy and resources, manufacturing, defence, telecommunications, environmental engineering, and the technology sector. Major employers include engineering consultancies such as AECOM, WSP, GHD, and Jacobs; resources and energy firms such as BHP, Rio Tinto, and Woodside; government agencies at federal and state levels; and a growing range of technology and advanced manufacturing companies.

To be admitted into a Master Qualifying Program in Engineering at an Australian university, applicants typically need to hold a completed undergraduate degree in engineering or a closely related technology field from a recognised international or domestic institution. Most programs require this to be at least a three-year bachelor's degree, and some specify that the degree must not already be accredited by Engineers Australia or a Washington Accord signatory body — since the MQP is specifically designed as a bridge for students whose prior qualifications do not yet meet Australian professional accreditation standards. Academic performance requirements vary by institution, but applicants are generally expected to have achieved a minimum of 60–65% aggregate or an equivalent GPA in their prior qualification. Some programs also accept graduates with a non-engineering degree in a cognate science or technology discipline as a pathway entry.

English language proficiency is a mandatory requirement for all international applicants. The standard minimum across Australian universities for engineering master's programs is an IELTS Academic overall score of 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or equivalent results in TOEFL iBT (minimum 79–90), PTE Academic (minimum 58–65), or other approved tests. Some universities set higher thresholds for specific programs. While work experience is not always mandatory for the MQP, many programs value relevant professional or industry experience in engineering or a related field, as it enriches the learning experience and may strengthen an application. Applicants may also be asked to provide a statement of purpose outlining their academic background, career goals, and reasons for pursuing the qualification in Australia, as well as letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees.