HomeCoursesEngineeringDiploma
Diploma · national qualification
Diploma of Engineering - Technical
This diploma prepares you for technician-level work in engineering and manufacturing, supporting engineers and tradespeople on the shop floor.
- How long it takes
- 1 to 2 years
- full time at TAFE NSW
- What it costs
- From $5,651
- Subsidised at The Gordon, full fee up to $18,020
- How you can study
- Online or on campus
- Main job
- Mechanical Drafter
- $83,200 (estimate) median pay, In demand
- Taught by
- 13 providers
- 6 states and territories
Is this course right for you?
What the Diploma of Engineering - Technical asks of you, and what you might want to check first.
It helps to have
- an interest in how things are made and work
- a careful approach to drawings and numbers
- comfort using computers for technical tasks
- good communication skills for working with a team
Before you start
There are no entry requirements for this qualification.
Diploma or related qualifications?
There are no related qualifications at other levels with the same subject listed for comparison. This diploma focuses on technician-level skills for engineering and manufacturing.
Where this course can take you
Jobs this qualification is a recognised route into, and the study that can follow it.
Jobs you can do with it
Mechanical Drafter
Mechanical drafters turn engineers' ideas into the detailed drawings and 3D models that manufacturers use to build, install and maintain equipment.
What else you need
Entry to the diploma at TAFE NSW requires the Certificate III in Engineering Technical and an interview. The award alone does not confer any licence, and employer requirements vary, so check with the provider.
Median pay$83,200 (estimate)
In demand
Mechanical Engineering Technician
Mechanical engineering technicians support engineers by preparing drawings, testing components and keeping mechanical plant running to specification.
What else you need
Entry to the diploma at TAFE NSW requires the Certificate III in Engineering Technical and an interview. The award alone does not confer any licence, and employer requirements vary, so check with the provider.
Median pay$93,600 (estimate)
In demand
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. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure.
What it costs
Subsidised place
From $5,651
at The Gordon. Whether you get a subsidised place depends on your state, residency, age and earlier study.
Paying the full fee
$12,567 to $18,020
across the TAFEs listed below. Private providers set their own fees.
| TAFE | State | Subsidised | Concession | Full fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chisholm Institute | VIC | $9,702 | $15,477 | |
| The Gordon | VIC | $5,651 | $12,567 | |
| TAFE Queensland | QLD | $13,820 | $12,560 | $18,020 |
Chisholm InstituteVIC
- Subsidised
- $9,702
- Full fee
- $15,477
The GordonVIC
- Subsidised
- $5,651
- Full fee
- $12,567
TAFE QueenslandQLD
- Subsidised
- $13,820
- Concession
- $12,560
- Full fee
- $18,020
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 13 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
4 campuses, NSW
4.0from 2,410 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
- How long
- 1 to 2 years
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
- Website for Swinburne University of Technology (opens in a new tab)
Swinburne University of Technology
8 campuses, VIC
4.0from 1,190 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers and tutors are supportive and want students to succeed
- Student HQ and support staff are helpful and responsive
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- You may be passed between departments
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 $13,820 subsidised
What students like
- Teachers are helpful and supportive
What to weigh up
- Poor communication from admin
- Website for TAFE SA (opens in a new tab)
TAFE SA
26 campuses, SA
4.4from 1,339 Google reviews
What students like
- Lecturers are nice and helpful
What to weigh up
- Enrolment and admin can be slow
- Course information can be unclear
- Course page for The Gordon (opens in a new tab)
The Gordon
East Geelong Campus, VIC
4.0from 168 Google reviews
- Fee
- From $5,651 subsidised
What students like
- Teaching staff are supportive and highly professional
- Staff are friendly and helpful
What to weigh up
- Courses can feel loosely organised
- Website for Federation University Australia (opens in a new tab)
Federation University Australia
23 campuses, NSW, VIC
4.2from 562 Google reviews
What students like
- Teaching and resources are high quality
- Friendships and classmates make study memorable
What to weigh up
- Admissions can be slow
- Poor communication with students
- Learning support can be slow to follow through
- Course page for North Metropolitan TAFE (opens in a new tab)
North Metropolitan TAFE
East Perth, WA
4.1from 903 Google reviews
- How you study
- On campus
What students like
- Lecturers are helpful and knowledgeable
- Courses provide strong practical skills
What you’ll learn
The main topics covered in the Diploma of Engineering - Technical.
- Reading technical drawings
- Engineering maths and calculations
- Using engineering software
- Organising technical information
- Sustainable work practices
- Working in engineering teams
See all 5 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 technician-level work in engineering and manufacturing, supporting engineers and tradespeople on the shop floor. The skills apply across mechanical, mechatronics, manufacturing, maintenance, drafting and air conditioning work.
Do I need experience or other qualifications first?
There are no entry requirements for this qualification. Individual providers can set their own conditions, so check with the provider you choose.
How is it different from related qualifications?
There are no related qualifications at other levels with the same subject listed for comparison. This diploma focuses on technician-level skills for engineering and manufacturing.