Opinion: Here’s why we need a new role in the public service 

The size and make-up of Australia’s government sector has been the subject of some debate during this federal election campaign.

So bear with me here when I say there’s never been a better time to tackle ‘government efficiency’ than right now and that should start with adding to, rather than subtracting from, our public service.

Australia needs to appoint a Chief Engineer.  Someone qualified to provide clear, expert, unbiased guidance to government on nation building projects.

A Chief Engineer who will improve efficiency and save the government money.

Let’s just take one state within our Federation.

In February, Victoria’s auditor-general revealed the state’s 113 major projects had blown out by 8.7% in just a year.  That significant overrun represents $11.66 billion of taxpayers’ money which the government has to find or, more likely, go into further debt to finance.

A Chief Engineer would help to address time and cost blowouts which have become far too commonplace in public infrastructure projects in recent years.

When you consider the potential savings, introducing a new Chief Engineer role is a low-cost investment that would quickly pay for itself.

And, just when you begin to hear “but we’ve got the expertise in-house”, remember to ask yourself, “if that were the case, why do we have the blowouts and the bailouts? Is it that the technical voices are too junior, or constrained within public service siloes?  Is it really cost effective to contract out when the goal is managing long-term, public projects effectively and efficiently?”

Despite an increasing number of mega projects, driven by the Federal Government’s goals and Australia’s expanding population, around 45 per cent of all engineering work is completed for the public sector, but only 15 per cent is carried out by the public sector itself.

The lack of in-house experts diminishes the public sector’s capacity to effectively evaluate the costs and risks of projects, leading to taxpayer dollars being spent inefficiently, and sometimes leading to the collapse of projects.

Since the 1980s there’s been around a 40 per cent reduction in the estimated size of the public sector engineering workforce. As a result, we have increased our reliance on private sector procurement. But too much outsourcing of engineering advice has led to the erosion of institutional knowledge and the long-term vision and systems thinking required to deliver nation building projects effectively.

There are few public policies that do not in some way overlap with engineering related issues – for instance, the Coalition’s east coast gas reservation policy or Labor’s 2030 target of 82 per cent of renewables on the grid.

Engineering expertise is central to the public portfolios of defence, energy, transport, infrastructure, and climate, where decisions, investments and projects have particularly long-lasting impacts.

But the declining number of engineering professionals in government, means policies and regulations are not being guided by adequate technical expertise – and the oversight of a Chief Engineer would be invaluable.

With geopolitical tension, changing global trade conditions and the rapid advancement of technology, now is the time to strengthen technical leadership in government to ensure our nation will continue to prosper.

According to the 2025-26 Federal Budget, Australia’s infrastructure pipeline is valued at $213 billion through to 2027-28, and $22.7 billion is allocated over the next decade to stimulate private sector manufacturing investment. There is also a $60 billion industry over the next 30-50 years in the decommissioning of the offshore oil and gas infrastructure as it approaches the end of its life.

Engineering is essential to all of this – and many more government objectives. That’s why our elected leaders deserve access to expert guidance on the planning and practicality of these key investments.

In the lead up to the federal election, Engineers Australia is asking the next Federal Government to support the need for a Chief Engineer, and to support a skilled workforce with a strong engineering capability to enhance the nation’s prosperity.

As well as delivering budget efficiencies and strong policies, the appointment of a National Chief Engineer would send a message to Australians that an informed expert is providing the balanced and rational guidance our leaders need to make the right choices that will strengthen our nation into the future – beyond any election cycle.