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104 weeks
On campus (with some online), Online self-directed, and International on campus options available. On campus with some online is 80% on campus and 20% online. Online self-directed is 100% online.
Full time / Part time / Online self-directed · Full time (4 days per week for international); Part time 1 night per week (on campus); 15 hours per week (online self-directed)
Anytime (on campus with some online, and online self-directed); 01 Feb 2027 (international, Acacia Ridge)
Course Overview
Where You Can Study
Brisbane
66 Ernest St, South Brisbane, QLD 4101
Student Information
Tuition Fee
Concession $20,370 · Subsidised $21,900 · Full fee $27,030
Duration
Up to 5 years part-time (on campus); 2 years part-time (online self-directed, with 10 units required on campus at Acacia Ridge)
Study Mode
On campus with some online, or online self-directed
Eligibility
Domestic Students:
International Students:
Career & Study Pathways
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
ASQA
Professional Body
Engineers Australia (EA)
Accreditation Status
AccreditedSkills Assessor
Engineers Australia
Course Content
Organise and communicate information
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to access, organise and communicate information related to production, maintenance or associated processes or tasks that apply in manufacturing, engineering or related environments.
Interact with computing technology
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to use a range of computing technology typically used in manufacturing, engineering or related environments to access, input and store information.
Manage self in the engineering environment
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to use self-management techniques to perform work ethically and competently and make judgements about work priorities and information requirements to achieve effective working relationships and engineering outcomes at the paraprofessional level. It applies to self-management activities carried out within a range of engineering disciplines.
Select common engineering materials
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to identify and select common engineering materials including ferrous metals, cast irons, carbon and alloy steels, stainless steels, coated steels, nonferrous metals, aluminium and its alloys, copper and its alloys, nickel alloys, zinc, titanium, magnesium, refractory metals, polymers, thermosetting polymers, thermoplastic polymers, ceramics and glasses.
Apply mathematical techniques in a manufacturing engineering or related environment
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to apply the concepts of mathematics to engineering situations within the individual's area of engineering expertise. It applies to technician level work that requires basic algebraic, trigonometric and statistical knowledge and skill Including arithmetic, algebraic expressions with one independent variable, two-dimensional geometry, trigonometry, linear functions, basic quadratic functions and basic statistical methods.
Perform engineering activities
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to perform engineering activities at the paraprofessional level and covers the performance of technical aspects of engineering work where outcomes and performance measures are negotiated with appropriate personnel, technical experts and specialists in accordance with established engineering principles and practices. It applies to technical activities carried out within a range of engineering disciplines.
Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to comply with environmental regulations, identify environment issues and minimise the risks of negative impact on work and carry out improvements in own work area.
Prepare mechanical models for computer-aided engineering (CAE)
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to apply mechanical modelling techniques to computer-aided engineering (CAE). It includes model creation for purposes such as computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and computer numerical control (CNC) applications, rapid prototyping and stress analysis. It is also used as a basis for generating orthogonal drawings.
Perform mechanical engineering design drafting
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to use computer-aided design (CAD) software and other drafting techniques to prepare design drawings and graphics used in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering and related industry sectors. It includes the application of conventions and graphical techniques to inform production of fully detailed drawings of mechanical components and assemblies.
Produce basic engineering detail drawings
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to produce basic engineering detail drawings to Australian Standard (AS) 1100.101 Technical drawing - General principles and is primarily for those working within a drafting work environment with engineering and manufacturing applications
Read and interpret technical engineering drawings
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to read and interpret technical engineering drawings.
Perform computations
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to estimate approximate answers to arithmetical problems, carry out calculations involving percentages and proportions, and determine simple ratios and averages.
Use graphical techniques and perform simple statistical computations
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to interpret and construct graphs and charts from given or determined data, and perform basic statistical calculations.
Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to work effectively in manufacturing and engineering work situations, including planning routine work and participating in and following work health and safety (WHS) procedures.
Apply mechanical engineering analysis techniques
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to undertake a range of mechanical engineering-related analyses that relate to design, fitness for purpose evaluations, installation and commissioning, and other mechanical engineering-related tasks, including documentation of the design process. Documentation may include calculations, specifications, computer-aided design (CAD) files, risk analysis, sustainability and life cycle assessments. It is suitable for people working at a technician level in a mechanical engineering work environment and applies to people working individually or as part of a team.
Coordinate engineering projects
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to coordinate and facilitate engineering or related projects which usually have a fixed term or purpose and involve specific engineering-related tasks, such as installation and commissioning of plant, design of equipment or major overhauls. It applies to coordination activities carried out within a range of engineering disciplines.
Apply technical mathematics
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to apply mathematical analysis, graphical and software techniques to engineering problems. It includes exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric equations involving single and double angles, sequences and series, two-dimensional vector analysis, complex numbers, determinants and matrices.
Apply fluid and thermodynamics principles in engineering
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to apply fluid and thermodynamic principles to engineering applications. It includes fluid systems and components, forces on floating and submerged bodies, turbine and pumping systems, and jet forces on blades and plates.
Operate and program computers and/or controllers in engineering situations
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to operate and program computers and/or controllers in industrial situations and to prepare and maintain programs including operating computer and/or controller hardware and software for engineering tasks. It also includes developing or customising computer and/or controller systems or programs.
Apply calculus to engineering tasks
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to apply calculus, including differentiation and integration techniques, to engineering applications. Engineering applications requiring calculus techniques may include determining the point of maximum bending moment, slope and deflection for a beam, determining the depth of parabolic mirrors or determining moments of inertia of a range of engineering components and solving rectilinear motion problems.
Select and organise mechanical engineering material tests
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to interpret design information for material and material test requirements, select appropriate tests and use results in the selection of appropriate materials for mechanical and manufacturing engineering-related applications. It applies to mechanical and manufacturing engineering applications in mass production, batch production, jobbing shop and prototyping. Activities are generally performed as a member of a design and development team.
Apply engineering mechanics principles
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to apply the principles of mechanics and strength of materials to devices, machines and systems and their components, to identify key mechanical properties. It includes a range of basic analyses of static and dynamic loads and moments, stresses and deflections, velocities and accelerations.
Evaluate thermodynamic systems and components
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to evaluate thermodynamic systems and components including heat exchangers, heat engines, refrigeration, air conditioners and air compressors.
Select mechanical machine and equipment components
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required for the technical selection of mechanical machine and equipment components. It includes analysis of the application to determine suitability of components and use of performance analysis software.
Evaluate manufacturing processes
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to evaluate plant, facilities, services, labour and skills distribution used for manufacturing processes against defined process performance parameters. It includes the evaluation and assessment of plant layout and material flows for efficient manufacturability of product and maintainability of the plant and process.
Calculate force systems within simple beam structures
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to understand and calculate force systems within simple beam structures. It involves solving simple engineering problems involving forces and moments and to determining nominal sizes of simple beams subject to loading.
Calculate stresses in simple structures
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to determine stresses and their effect on the strength and stability of simple structures and mechanical components in centrally-loaded bolted connections, fillet and butt-welded connections. It includes the verification of the stress levels using appropriate reference material such as design manuals, handbooks, relevant codes and regulations, databases and manufacturers' references.
Use workshop equipment and processes to complete an engineering project
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to identify and use of a range of common workshop equipment and processes to complete a simple engineering project. It focuses on the development and application of basic workshop skills and developing knowledge of equipment and processes and relating the knowledge to typical technical work requirements.
Operate computer-aided design (CAD) system to produce basic drawing elements
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to apply functions of computer-aided design (CAD) software programs that are typically used in the production of detail drawings.
Produce basic engineering drawings
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to produce drawings or similar graphical representations where the critical dimensions and associated tolerances and design specifications are predetermined.
Use computer-aided design (CAD) to create and display 3D models
This unit of competency defines the skills and knowledge required to use a computer-aided design (CAD) program to produce and print basic 3D view drawings.
Common Questions
The course fees depend on your eligibility: Concession fee is $20,370 (fee concessions may apply for eligible students), Subsidised fee is $21,900 (available for eligible students through government-funded courses), Full fee is $27,030 (total course fee, with student loans and payment plans available), and International fee is $12,600 (total course fee for international students).
The duration depends on your study mode: full time on campus takes 2 years, part time on campus (with some online) takes up to 5 years at 1 night per week, online self-directed study takes 2 years at approximately 15 hours per week, and international students who have completed the Diploma of Engineering - Technical may complete the course in 1 year.
The course is available at three Greater Brisbane campuses: Acacia Ridge, Bracken Ridge, and Eagle Farm. Part time on campus classes are held 1 night per week — Tuesday at Acacia Ridge, Wednesday at Bracken Ridge, and Monday at Eagle Farm. The full time on campus option is available at Acacia Ridge, commencing 13 July 2026.
The qualification consists of 30 units in total — 7 core units and 23 elective units. You are required to complete all seven core units, up to eight Group A elective units, and at least fifteen specialist elective units from Group B. On successful completion of all 30 units, you will receive an Advanced Diploma of Engineering.
Successful completion of this course will qualify you to work as a Mechanical Engineering Technician or Engineering Associate. According to the Australian Government's Job Outlook service, mechanical engineering draftspersons and technicians are specialised occupations that have high skill levels and earning potential. You can also continue with further tertiary study in this area.
Application
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Step 02
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Step 03
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