Many international students like to combine study and travel. Studying through MEA can provide the option of travelling to different parts of Australia with the possibility of getting paid work at the same time. Vacation work and industry experience can provide this opportunity.

As part of the flexible structure of MEA, students who have completed two years of a suitable engineering degree and meet entry requirements can transfer into an MEA course and graduate as a Mining Engineer after just two years of study in Australia. This provides the opportunity for civil or mechanical engineering students to specialise in mining and take advantage of a booming industry that is short on engineers and excellent starting salaries.

With a current skill shortage in Australia for professionally qualified workers, opportunities have recently opened up for international students who have completed their degree in Australia to stay here and work.  In the current mining boom there are even more opportunities for graduates to smoothly gain employment in the Australian mining industry which offers competitive starting salaries.  The Australian mining industry boast a 19% foreign worker base.

There is a diverse commodity mix in Australia including gold, ironore and diamonds which treats any international mining student to a wide range of processes and mining technology.

Leading the world in mining best practise, Australia hosts tow of the world’s mining giants with over half of their operations here. Australia is known for its leadership and innovation along with social and environmental responsibility focus and there is investment from the mining big players to secure supply for growing Asian markets. China and Japan are currently investing in industry to secure supply 58% of seaborn traded coal that comes from Australia.

Australia’s superior mining technology research accounts for over 60% of the mining software used around the world for mine planning and mine scheduling, being designed in Australia.  Technology is a large component of MEA studies.