The Engineers Australia Professional Engineer Remuneration Survey, conducted over March this year, reported an average annual increase in professional engineer salaries in the mining industry of 6.9%.

The survey found an average annual increase in professional engineer salaries of 5.6% over all sectors, compared to an average annual increase of 5.25% reported at the same time last year.

Another interesting trend in the employment of professional engineers is the increasing number opting to practice as contract engineers, the survey found.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that up to 20% of the workforce are now engaged in non-standard work arrangements with professionals operating as independent contractors or consultants among the fastest growing group.

According to the survey, while professional engineering employees have access to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission and receive a number of benefits and provisions, the contract engineer may be engaged on an hourly basis and generally does not have access to these provisions, and should take such provisions into account when determining the hourly fee to be charged.

“Employers of professional engineers are making greater use of such arrangements as a means of meeting peak workloads or to engage contract professionals for specific projects or tasks,” the survey said.

For more information, please contact the Surveys Unit at survey@apesma.asn.au or phone (03) 9695 8800.