Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Automation / Electrical Engineer
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
This role typically requires an engineering qualification in electrical, control systems, automation or a related discipline, along with practical experience in industrial automation, PLCs, SCADA, instrumentation, electrical systems and fault finding. The candidate is expected to support safe and reliable plant operations, investigate equipment issues, deliver improvement projects and work closely with maintenance, production and engineering teams. Experience with programming platforms, industrial networks, process control, drawings and Australian electrical and safety standards is valuable. BlueScope would also expect strong communication, problem-solving and project-management skills, a safety-focused attitude and the ability to work effectively in a manufacturing environment.
Can I work in Australia?
Never pay anyone for a visa or a job offer. A real employer pays the permit costs and never asks you for money.
How it works
How it works: Production workers and machine operators are not on the Core Skills list; fitters, welders, metal fabricators, engineers and production managers are, at AUD 79,423+.
Before you apply: Some places test factory skills first: Japan's Specified Skilled Worker visa usually asks for a skills test and basic Japanese, and in Singapore, metal workers on a Work Permit must pass a safety course within 3 months of arriving.
Watch for: Factory floor jobs cannot be sponsored; trades such as fitters and welders can be, if pay reaches AUD 79,423 a year; check whether your trade needs an assessment.
Official source: Federal Register of Legislation: Core Skills Occupation List (Subclass 482 instrument, LIN 24/089). Checked November 2026.
What the job usually comes with in Australia
Usual for Manufacturing jobs in Australia, varies by employer. Checked November 2026.
| Housing | Varies by employer |
|---|---|
| Permit and relocation | Employer pays the nomination fee and training levy (by law); visa fee AUD 4,015, paid by you or the employer |
| Flights | Varies by employer |
| Overtime and shifts | Manufacturing award: shifts +15%, permanent nights +30%, overtime 150% for 3 hours then 200% (by law) |
| Contract | Visa up to 4 years; permanent residence possible after 2 years of sponsored work (usually under 45) |
| Leave | Full-time and part-time: 4 weeks' leave, 10 paid sick days, paid public holidays (by law); casuals none |
| Income tax | Residents: 0% to AUD 18,200, 15% to 45,000, 30% to 135,000, 37% to 190,000, then 45%; plus 2% Medicare levy |
Senior staff often get more than line staff, for example a single room or a yearly home flight. Ask the employer what the job includes before you accept.
Guidance, not legal advice. Rules change; your employer confirms the details for your case.
About Bluescope Steel
BlueScope is a major Australian steel manufacturer and one of the country’s best-known industrial companies. Established in Australia, it operates steelmaking, coating, manufacturing and distribution businesses across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and North America. Its products are used in construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, housing and other industrial applications, including well-known coated steel products such as COLORBOND steel. BlueScope employs engineers, tradespeople, operators, corporate specialists and supply-chain professionals across its sites. The company places strong emphasis on safety, operational reliability, sustainability, customer service and continuous improvement. An Automation / Electrical Engineer would typically work with plant, maintenance and production teams to improve equipment performance, control systems and workplace safety. Conditions vary by site, with some positions involving shift support, on-call work, travel or exposure to heavy industrial environments.