ANZSCO 2333-11
Electrical Engineer
South Australia
June 2015
Current labour market rating
No Shortage
Previous labour market rating (May 2014)
No Shortage
Comments
Declining activity or modest growth in a range of industries that employ electrical engineers has led to
subdued demand for the occupation. A high proportion of recently advertised vacancies for electrical
engineers were easily filled with employers able to attract a sufficient number of suitable applicants.
Survey results
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A Department of Employment survey of recently advertised vacancies for electrical engineers
revealed that 83 per cent of positions were filled within a six week time frame, as was the case in
last year’s survey.
On average, there were around 67 applicants per vacancy, compared to an average of 42 in 2014.
Most applicants were deemed unsuitable and so the ratio of suitable applicants per vacancy was
considerably lower at 5.3, compared with 3.0 in 2014.
Each of the vacancies surveyed required specific skill sets along with several years relevant
experience. Despite these narrow requirements, employers generally reported minimal difficulty
hiring suitable applicants.
Therefore, the occupation is rated as being not in shortage.
Unsuitable applicants
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The vacancies surveyed were from a range of industry sectors such as power generation,
manufacturing, public administration and civil engineering.
Employers required applicants to be degree-qualified in electrical engineering and 97 per cent of all
applicants met this minimum criterion.
Notwithstanding the high proportion of qualified applicants, employers reported that only eight per
cent of applicants were suitable to employ. This was mainly because applicants did not have the
specific technical skills or experience relevant to the particular role or industry.
They also received some applications from individuals considered ‘over-qualified’ i.e. applicants
with substantial engineering experience at more senior or managerial levels which employers
considered inappropriate.
In some instances, suitable applicants weren’t employed due to lack of agreement on remuneration.
This was particularly the case with electrical engineers from the relatively high-paid mining industry.
Labour Economics Office South Australia
Department of Employment
Demand and supply trends
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ABS 2011 Census data shows that electrical engineers are employed in three main industries:
electricity, gas, water and waste services (29.6 per cent); professional, scientific and technical
services (29.3 per cent); and manufacturing (19 per cent). Electrical engineers working in the
professional, scientific and technical services industry typically provide consulting services to other
industries, such as construction and mining.
The Department of Employment’s Internet Vacancy Index (IVI) data for South Australia shows that
the number of internet vacancies for electrical engineers has been trending downwards over the
past four years and is currently at its lowest level in at least nine years.
Low demand for electrical engineers is due to a decline in electrical engineering infrastructure
projects, lower activity levels in the mining industry and modest growth in the manufacturing and
construction industries.
In 2014, there was a 41 per cent reduction in the value of construction work done in electricity
generation, transmission and pipelines1.
The Australian Industry Group’s monthly survey of engineering business trends shows activity in SA
manufacturing recovered to some extent over the past six months and are around historical levels.
According to ABS capital expenditure survey data, investment in the SA mining and manufacturing
industries grew by a modest four per cent over the four quarters to March 2015. The value of goods
exported by SA’s mining industry has significantly declined over the past year and manufacturing
industry exports have recorded only modest growth.
The value of SA non-residential building work done in 2014 increased by around five per cent.
However, the value of SA non-residential building approvals, which provides an indication of future
demand, fell by 14 per cent in the year to April 2015.
University training is the major source of supply to the occupation. According to the Australian
Department of Education the number of undergraduate completions in electrical engineering
courses in SA declined in both 2012 and 2013. Despite a fall in the number of course
commencements in 2012, this was subsequently followed by a steep increase in 2013.
Net overseas migration2 of electrical engineers to South Australia increased in 2011-12 and 2012-13
but was followed by a decrease in 2013-14.
Similarly, there was a reduction in the number of Subclass 457 visas granted3 for the occupation of
electrical engineers in 2013-14.
The proportion of full-time employment outcomes4 for SA electrical engineering graduates fell in
2012 and was followed by a further decline in 2013. The 2013 result is below the long-term average.
ABS, Engineering Construction Activity, Australia (Cat. No. 8762.0) (four quarter total of original data)
https://data.gov.au/dataset/overseas-arrivals-and-departures
https://www.immi.gov.au/media/statistics/statistical-info/temp-entrants/subclass-457.htm
Graduate Careers Australia
Labour Economics Office South Australia
Department of Employment