The Certificate IV in Engineering specifies the competencies required for employment as a Higher Engineering Tradesperson or a Special Class Engineering Tradesperson - Level II in mechanical, electrical/electronic or fabrication trade disciplines.

The job role involves application of additional skills in the learner's trade or cross skills from other trades. Job roles may include the design, assembly, manufacture, installation, modification, testing, fault finding, commissioning, maintenance and service of equipment and machinery, the fabrication of structures and assemblies, manufacture of sheet metal work, as well as use of relevant machinery, equipment and joining techniques.

Machinery and equipment can include fluid power systems, stationary and mobile equipment, instruments, refrigeration, and the use of computer controlled machine tools.