Engineering Priorities Set Ahead Of The SA State Election 2026

Last updated: 25 February 2026

As South Australia approaches its state election, the SA Division of Engineers Australia has outlined key SA engineering priorities aimed at strengthening the state’s engineering capability.

The SA leadership team sent these proposals directly to election candidates and invited further discussions about how engineering policy can support infrastructure delivery and economic growth.

Representatives have already contacted 42 candidates and will continue engagement once authorities confirm the remaining nominations.

Four Key SA Engineering Priorities

Engineers Australia has urged both the Australian and South Australian governments to adopt the following measures:

1. Establish a Chief Engineer for South Australia

Engineers Australia proposes creating a Chief Engineer position to deliver coordinated, whole-of-government technical advice.

This role would guide major decisions across infrastructure, energy systems and resilience planning, ensuring senior leaders receive strong engineering input on complex projects.

2. Align South Australia’s Engineers Registration Scheme with National Standards

The organisation has encouraged South Australia to bring its Professional Engineers Registration Scheme into line with national frameworks.

National alignment would strengthen professional recognition and provide clearer regulatory consistency across jurisdictions.

3. Expand the Engineering Graduate Pipeline

Engineers Australia has highlighted the need to grow South Australia’s engineering talent base through coordinated action across schools, universities and vocational pathways.

The division recommends:

• Increasing funding for school STEM programs

• Supporting scholarships and internships linked to priority sectors

• Strengthening partnerships between universities, industry and government

These initiatives would build long-term workforce capacity across the state.

Workforce capacity strategies often interact with employer-driven recruitment models, particularly in sectors that require specialised engineering expertise across Australia.

4. Integrate Engineers Across Government Departments

Engineers Australia has called for greater integration of engineers within government agencies.

Departments could improve procurement, infrastructure planning and policy development by placing engineers directly within decision-making teams. Structured career pathways and mentoring programs would support early-career professionals entering public service roles.

Focus on Engineering Capability and Economic Growth

Division General Manager Jan Irvine stated that members strongly supported prioritising engineering capability during discussions with election candidates.

Engineers Australia has asked governments to adopt these four strategies to secure South Australia’s engineering workforce and strengthen long-term prosperity.

The organisation has also warned that limited investment in engineering capability during a period of rapid technological change could restrict the state’s ability to respond to future challenges.

Continued Engagement After the Election

Engineers Australia plans to continue discussions with candidates and the incoming government following the March election.

The division seeks sustained policy commitment to engineering leadership, workforce development and technical expertise across South Australia.

Considering Employer Sponsorship as an Engineer?

Understanding Australia’s employer-sponsored visa framework is important if you plan to work in sectors that rely on specialised engineering skills.

If you would like personalised advice regarding employer sponsorship pathways, eligibility requirements or long-term migration planning, you may book a consultation with RACC Australia to discuss your situation.

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