Instrumentation and Control Apprenticeship
An Instrumentation and Control Apprenticeship is a paid, nationally recognised training pathway that prepares you to install, calibrate, maintain and repair the electrical and electronic instrumentation that monitors and controls industrial processes.
Apprentices train for around four years on the job while completing the UEE31225 Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control.
It is also commonly undertaken as a dual trade Electrical and Instrumentation Apprenticeship over five years, particularly in the mining and resources sector, combining the Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control with the UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician. The dual qualification opens doors to higher-paying roles and broader career options.
Instrumentation and control technicians work across mining, oil and gas, food and manufacturing, water treatment, power generation and pharmaceuticals. Their work focuses on the measurement, automation and control of systems that monitor temperature, pressure, flow and other variables critical to industrial processes.
What Does an Instrumentation and Control Technician Do?
Instrumentation and control technicians install, maintain, test and repair the electrical and electronic instrumentation equipment used in industrial settings. This includes instruments that measure and control variables such as temperature, pressure, flow and level.
A typical day on the job can include:
- Examining and testing faulty electronic instruments and control systems to diagnose faults
- Installing electrical and electronic control systems, sensors and insulated cables
- Measuring and recording information relating to physical and chemical events within systems and components
- Calibrating instruments to ensure accuracy and compliance with industry standards
- Maintaining and repairing electrical plant, machinery and instrumentation
- Working with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), SCADA systems and distributed control systems (DCS)
- Reading and interpreting technical drawings, schematics and process and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs)
Instrumentation and control technicians play a critical role in keeping industrial processes running smoothly and safely, since the data and control signals these instruments provide drive almost every decision made in modern industrial operations.
MIGAS Electrical Instrumentation Apprentices, Josh, Kyran and Lucas, undertaking their training with Shell's QGC business.
How Long is an Instrumentation and Control Apprenticeship?
A standard instrumentation and control apprenticeship takes four years to complete, during which you'll work toward the UEE31225 Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control.
Many apprentices, particularly those entering the mining and resources sector, opt for a dual trade Electrical and Instrumentation Apprenticeship, which takes around five years to complete and covers both the Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control and the UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician. The dual qualification is highly valued by employers and significantly broadens the kinds of work you can take on.
You'll be paid throughout your apprenticeship, gaining hands-on experience under qualified technicians while studying through a Registered Training Organisation. Depending on the pathway and your state or territory, you may also need to apply for an electrical licence on completion.
Instrumentation Technician Salary
Salaries for qualified instrumentation technicians in Australia in 2026 typically range from $75,000 to $95,000, with experienced technicians earning more depending on the industry and specialisation. Dual-qualified Electrician and Instrumentation Technicians in the mining and resources sector can earn closer to $120,000 or more, particularly in FIFO roles. (Seek)
Instrumentation and Control Apprentices are usually paid under the Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award, or an employer-specific EBA. Apprentice wages step up each year of your apprenticeship. Your weekly pay depends on whether you've completed Year 12, whether you're an adult apprentice, any EBA terms, employer or host benefits, and any government support you're eligible for.
Indicative Award wages for an instrumentation and control apprentice as at 1 July 2025, ranging from 1st year to 4th year:
- Junior apprentice, did not complete Year 12: $595.51 to $962.35 per week
- Junior apprentice, completed Year 12: $652.82 to $962.35 per week
- Adult apprentice (21 years and over): $939.42 to $1,038.16 per week
(Source: Fair Work Ombudsman Pay Guide MA000025) Rates include industry allowance, tool allowance and electrician's licence allowance.
Skills and Requirements
Instrumentation and control work calls for a particular blend of electrical knowledge, analytical thinking and precision. Successful apprentices tend to share these attributes:
- Electrical aptitude: A solid grasp of electrical and electronic principles, with confidence working with low-current and signal-level systems
- Diagnostic abilities: The job is about finding the cause of faults in complex systems, so analytical thinking and structured troubleshooting are essential
- Maths skills: Calculations, calibration and interpreting technical data are part of the daily work
- Normal colour vision: Many components are colour-coded, and accurate identification matters for safe and correct installation
- Manual dexterity: Working with delicate instruments and small components requires steady hands and fine motor control
- Attention to detail: Calibration and accuracy directly affect safety, product quality and process efficiency
- Communication skills: Technicians work alongside engineers, operators and other tradespeople, so being able to explain technical detail clearly is important
Most employers and Registered Training Organisations expect candidates to have completed Year 12 with passes in English and Maths. Some host employers, particularly in mining and resources, also require candidates to pass a pre-employment medical and drug and alcohol screening.
Career Pathways After Your Apprenticeship
An instrumentation and control qualification, particularly a dual trade qualification, opens doors across some of Australia's highest-paying industries:
- Mining, oil and gas (including FIFO roles)
- Power generation and renewables
- Water and wastewater treatment
- Food and beverage manufacturing
- Pharmaceuticals and chemicals
- Process automation and control systems
- SCADA and PLC programming
- Functional safety and hazardous area work
- Engineering technician roles (with further study)
- Site supervision, project management and contracting
A trade qualification is one of the most portable and resilient credentials you can earn. Instrumentation and control technicians are needed wherever industrial processes run.
Find an Instrumentation and Control Apprenticeship
Instrumentation and control is an essential part of many industries, including manufacturing, energy, mining and transportation. The qualification can lead to a wide range of careers, from hands-on technician roles to engineering, maintenance and operations.
Browse the MIGAS Jobs Board for current instrumentation and control apprenticeship roles, or register with us to receive updates when new positions are added.