HomeCoursesEngineeringAdvanced Diploma
Advanced Diploma · national qualification
Advanced Diploma of Engineering
This advanced diploma prepares you for para-professional and advanced technician work, the layer between the trades and the engineers, across areas such as mechanical, mechatronics, manufacturing, maintenance, drafting and air-conditioning.
- How long it takes
- 1 year
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $21,900
- Subsidised at TAFE Queensland, full fee up to $27,030
- How you can study
- Online or on campus
- Taught by
- 6 providers
- 4 states and territories
Is this course right for you?
What the Advanced Diploma of Engineering asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in how things are built and work
- a methodical approach to solving problems
- comfort with numbers and calculations
- willingness to keep learning new technical skills
Before you start
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Advanced Diploma or Diploma?
This Advanced Diploma is at a higher level than the Diploma in Engineering. It prepares you for para-professional and advanced technician work across a range of engineering disciplines, with the option to specialise or keep your study broad.
See the courseWhere this course can take you
The study that can follow this course.
If you study further
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, and “In demand” means the job is on the national shortage list.
What it costs
Subsidised place
From $21,900
at TAFE Queensland. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$27,030
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $21,900 | $20,370 | $27,030 |
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Subsidised
- $21,900
- Concession
- $20,370
- Full fee
- $27,030
Fees as each TAFE shows them on its website, read 20 September 2026. Private providers set their own fees.
Where you can study this course
There are 6 places you can study this course. When you compare them, check they teach it the way you want to study, how far you'd be from a campus, what it will cost you and what past students say about the teaching and support. They're listed by how often people search for them, and none of them pays to be here or to move up.
- Course page for TAFE NSW (opens in a new tab)
TAFE NSW
Ultimo, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
- How long
- 1 year
What students like
- Teachers are supportive and ready to help
- Staff are helpful and friendly
- Course content is practical and industry relevant
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Some find front desk staff less helpful
What students like
- Lecturers are approachable and care about learning
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course page for TAFE Queensland (opens in a new tab)
TAFE Queensland
3 campuses, QLD
4.1from 2,040 Google reviews
- How you study
- Online or on campus
- Fee
- From $21,900 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
- Website for North Metropolitan TAFE (opens in a new tab)
North Metropolitan TAFE
16 campuses, WA
4.1from 903 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are helpful and knowledgeable
- Courses provide strong practical skills
- Course page for South Metropolitan TAFE (opens in a new tab)
South Metropolitan TAFE
2 campuses, WA
3.9from 617 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
What students like
- Lecturers are friendly and genuinely care about students
- Courses help students learn new skills
What to weigh up
- Phone calls and enquiries can go unanswered
- Website for TAFE International Western Australia (opens in a new tab)
TAFE International Western Australia
TAFE International Western Australia, WA
3.6from 93 Google reviews
What students like
- Staff are friendly, patient and helpful
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Communication can be inconsistent
What you’ll learn
The main topics covered in the Advanced Diploma of Engineering.
- Engineering maths
- Selecting engineering materials
- Engineering computing and software
- Technical documentation and reporting
- Sustainable work practices
- Organising your own engineering work
See all 7 core units
Core units
Everyone completes these. Select a unit to see what it covers.
Loading the details for MEM16006…
Loading the details for MEM16006…
Questions to ask before you enrol
Providers run this course differently, so the answers change from one to the next.
- When is the next intake, and how many are there each year?
- What is the total cost, including materials, checks and any placement costs?
- Can I study part time or online, and how does that change the length?
- Do the units count towards a higher qualification if I go on to study further?
Questions people ask
Who is this qualification for?
It prepares you for para-professional and advanced technician work across mechanical, mechatronics, manufacturing, maintenance, drafting and air-conditioning. You build theory and hands-on skills, specialising in one discipline or staying broad. It leads to roles like Engineering Technologist, Mechanical Drafter or Mechanical Engineering Technician.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
There are no entry requirements for this qualification. Providers can set their own conditions, so check with the one you choose.
Is a licence, registration or check required to work in this area?
In some jurisdictions, units in this qualification may relate to licensing or regulatory requirements. Licensing and regulatory information is included in the relevant units of competency. Check local regulations.
How is it different from Diploma in Engineering?
This Advanced Diploma is at a higher level than the Diploma in Engineering. It prepares you for para-professional and advanced technician work across a range of engineering disciplines, with the option to specialise or keep your study broad.