guide to engineers australia skills assessment

Skilled migration to Australia has long been an attractive prospect for engineers worldwide due to the country’s thriving engineering sector and numerous opportunities for professional growth. Representing more than 100,000 members across all fields of engineering, Engineers Australia is the backbone that strengthens the structure of the Australian engineering industry.

However, in order to pursue a successful Engineering Career in Australia, it is essential to undergo the Engineers Australia Skills Assessment. It is designed to evaluate your skills, knowledge, and qualifications to ensure your eligibility to practise Engineering in Australia. Successful completion of the assessment is a key step towards obtaining recognition as an engineer in Australia.

What is Engineers Australia Skill Assessment?

Engineers Australia Skills Assessment is a test that Engineers Australia conducts for a comprehensive evaluation of the engineering competency of an individual. It aims to determine whether your skills align with the requirements set forth by Engineers Australia and meet the standards expected of engineers practising in the country. The skill assessment assesses factors such as educational qualifications, work experience, and English language proficiency. It is a vital step for engineers planning to migrate to Australia.

Why is Engineering Australia Skill assessment Required?

The Engineers Australia Skill Assessment is a mandatory requirement for engineers seeking to migrate to Australia. It plays a crucial role in the Australia immigration process. It ensures that your skills, qualifications and experience align with the guidelines of Engineers Australia. This migration skills assessment provides a platform to assess the competency and proficiency of engineers in their specific engineering discipline. It ensures that engineers possess the necessary knowledge and skills to practise their profession safely and effectively.

EA skill assessment for Australia is a vital step in the process of obtaining professional registration or licensure as an engineer in Australia. It is a prerequisite for engineers to become members of Engineers Australia, which opens doors to various professional and career opportunities.

Skill Occupations For Engineers in Australia | ANZSCO Code List

There are various types of Engineering jobs in Australia that you can opt for. You can select your desired field with the help of the ANZSCO Codes. An ANZSCO Code List or Skilled Occupation List is a list of popular Engineering Professions for Skilled Migration PR Visa to Australia. It is important to choose the specific ANZSCO code for your application when you apply for Engineers Australia skill assessment. By doing so, you can maximize your chances of securing one of the Top Highest Paying Engineering Jobs in Australia.

Here is the list of ANZSCO codes for various Engineering Professionals specified by Engineers Australia.

Skilled OccupationANZSCO Code
Engineering Manager133211
Chemical Engineer233111
Materials Engineer233112
Civil Engineer233211
Geotechnical Engineer233212
Structural Engineer233214
Transport Engineer233215
Electrical Engineer233311
Electronics Engineer233411
Industrial Engineer233511
Mechanical Engineer233512
Production or Plant Engineer233513
Mining Engineer (excluding petroleum)233611
Petroleum Engineer233612
Aeronautical Engineer233911
Agricultural Engineer233912
Biomedical Engineer233913
Engineering Technologist233914
Environmental Engineer233915
Engineering Professionals (nec)233999
Computer Network and Systems Engineer263111
Telecommunications Engineer263311
Telecommunications Network Engineer263312
Civil Engineering Draftsperson312211
Civil Engineering Technician312212
Electrical Engineering Draftsperson312311
Electrical Engineering Technician312312
Telecommunications Field Engineer313212

Also read: Top Reasons Why You Should Study Engineering in Australia

Pathways to Australia Skilled Migration: EA Skills Assessment Process

Depending on one’s qualifications and experience, Engineers Australia offers a range of pathways for Skilled Migration to Australia. These pathways are designed to assess an engineer’s competency and eligibility for professional recognition or migration to Australia. There is a range of pathways to becoming an engineer in Australia via skilled permanent residency. Below are described two major pathways overseas engineers choose for skilled immigration to Australia.

Accredited Qualifications

Accredited qualifications refer to educational qualifications that have been recognized and approved by the relevant accrediting bodies. Engineers who hold accredited qualifications have their degrees or diplomas acknowledged as meeting the necessary educational standards for practising Engineering in Australia.

Accredited qualifications are recognized through agreements known as Accords, four types of accords: Australian Qualification, Washington Accord Qualifications, Dublin Accord Qualifications, and Sydney Accord Qualifications.

Australian Qualifications

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) ensures consistency in educational standards and credential titles across Australia. Graduates from Australian engineering programs are eligible for skilled migration PR through the Australian Qualifications Framework.

You may require English proficiency language test results (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE), with exemptions for native English speakers or those holding an Australian engineering bachelor’s degree or PhD.

Washington Accord Qualifications

Accreditation, as per the Washington Accord, requires qualifications to be evaluated based on their public recognition as accredited by the relevant authority. The qualification title should match the title listed on the public register of authorised credentials by the respective authority.

Under the Washington Accord, academic qualifications are generally considered equivalent to a four-year bachelor’s degree. With a Washington Accord qualification in engineering, you can apply for an Australia PR to become an engineer in Australia.

Dublin Accord Qualifications

Qualifications recognized under the Dublin Accord will be evaluated by an authorised signatory based on their public recognition. It is necessary for your degree title to match the one listed on the authorised credentials of the relevant signatory.

The academic standards outlined in the Dublin Accord are generally equivalent to a two-year bachelor’s qualification in engineering in Australia. Provisional accreditation will not be evaluated along this pathway.

Sydney Accord Qualifications

Engineers Australia provide overseas engineers to immigrate to Australia via Sydney Accord qualifications. However, you must meet the following criteria.

  • Your qualification must be publicly recognized and listed as accredited by the relevant signatory country.
  • The title of your qualification must match the title published on the accredited qualifications list by the relevant signatory country.
  • You must hold a minimum of a 3-year bachelor’s degree in engineering, as it is the minimum academic requirement for assessment through this pathway.

Non-Accredited Qualifications

If none of the accords above recognizes your engineering qualification, it means you have an unaccredited or non-accredited qualification. Those with unaccredited qualifications have to go through an Engineers Australia skills assessment. As mentioned earlier, it’s a competency test that helps Engineers Australia evaluate your competency and ability to work as an engineer in Australia.

EA skills assessment involves submitting a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) to Engineers Australia. A CDR report showcases your competencies, skills, and experiences in a specific engineering discipline. It includes comprehensive information about your educational background, work experience, engineering projects, and professional development activities.

The CDR report has three main sections: Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Career Episodes, and a Summary Statement.

  • Career Episodes: Career episodes are three distinct engineering projects accomplished within a specific time frame, They detail the technical and non-technical skills an engineer employed on a particular project. The Career Episodes should include details about the engineer’s current and past work, normative work activities, and project details.
  • Summary Statement: It’s the most important and difficult component of any CDR, and it must determine if the engineer has shown the competency components for the selected occupation as described by the ANZSCO code. The engineer must provide cross-references to the paragraphs written in each career episode, and only one Summary Statement is required for all three episodes.
  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD): The CPD section in a CDR report is a way to show that the engineer is staying current on new ideas and discoveries in the engineering business.

Your CDR must meet the standards and requirements that Engineers Australia has set for professional engineering practice in Australia. A structured and well-crafted CDR report is essential for engineers aspiring to migrate and work in Australia – it plays a vital role in the Engineers Australia skill assessment process. We at CDR Engineers Australia, offer CDR writing services where our competent and committed team of CDR report writers craft a result-oriented CDR on your behalf.

CDR Report Documents Required for Engineers Australia Skills Assessment

Along with a CDR report, you need to provide the following documents for Engineers Australia skills assessment. A high-resolution coloured scan of the originals must be used for each document.

  1. Recent photograph for identification purposes.
  2. Updated curriculum vitae (CV)/resume.
  3. Educational records and transcripts.
  4. Certificates and awards for your academic degrees.
  5. Documentation of a name change, such as a marriage certificate (if applicable).
  6. English proficiency test results, such as IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL scores.
  7. Letter of reference from your employer.
  8. Proof of employment, such as employment contracts or offer letters.
  9. Documentation of paid employment, such as payment slips or tax documents.
  10. Evidence of professional development activities, including a summary statement and three career episodes.

Also read for more detailed information: Engineers Australia Skill Assessment Document Checklist.

Who Can Apply For EA Skills Assessment?

Overseas engineers, with skillsets and experience in a particular engineering domain, seeking to practise engineering in Australia apply for EA skills assessment. The skill assessment is open to both domestic and international candidates. Whether you are a recent graduate, an experienced engineer, or seeking to migrate to Australia, you can apply for the Engineers Australia skill assessment. The EA assessment process evaluates your academic qualifications, work experience, and competencies to determine your eligibility and suitability as an engineer in Australia.

EA Skill Assessment Australia Processing Time

According to the Engineers Australia, standard Migration Skill Assessment applications generally take 15 weeks to be assigned to an assessor. However, the actual MSA application processing time is typically 4-7 months. The processing times for EA skill assessment Australia are subject to change and may vary depending on individual circumstances. The table below shows the processing time of your application for the EA skills assessment for Australia.

Assessment TypeApprox. processing time (Standard)Approx. processing time (Fast Track)
Competency Demonstration Report (CDR)12 Weeks20 Working Days
Accredited Australian Qualifications8 Weeks18 Working Days
Washington Accord Qualifications8 Weeks18 Working Days
Sydney Accord Qualifications8 Weeks18 Working Days
Dublin Accord Qualifications8 Weeks18 Working Days

EA Skills Assessment Fee

The fees vary depending on the applicants. The fee structure for the EA skills assessment is listed in the table below.

Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) Assessment Fees

Assessment TypeFee (Exclusive GST) AUD$Fee (Inclusive GST) AUD$
Standard Competency Demonstration Report810.00891.00
Competency Demonstration Report + Relevant Skilled Employment Assessment1,178.001,295.80
Competency Demonstration Report + Overseas Ph.D. Assessment1,040.001,144.00
Competency Demonstration Report + Relevant Skilled Employment Assessment + Overseas Ph.D. Assessment1,408.001,548.80

Australian Accredited Engineering Qualification Assessment Fees

Assessment TypeFee (Exclusive GST) AUD$Fee (Inclusive GST) AUD$
Australian Engineering Qualification Assessment270.00297.00
Australian Engineering Qualification Assessment + Relevant Skilled Employment Assessment638.00701.80
Australian Engineering Qualification Assessment + Overseas Ph.D. Assessment500.00550.00
Australian Engineering Qualification Assessment + Relevant Skilled Employment Assessment + Overseas Ph.D. Assessment868.00954.80

International Accords Qualification Assessment Fees

Assessment TypeFee (Exclusive GST) AUD$Fee (Inclusive GST) AUD$
Washington/Sydney/Dublin Accord Qualification Assessment437.00480.70
Washington/Sydney/Dublin Accord Qualification Assessment + Relevant Skilled Employment Assessment805.00885.50
Washington/Sydney/Dublin Accord Qualification Assessment + Overseas Ph.D. Assessment667.00733.70
Washington/Sydney/Dublin Accord Qualification Assessment + Overseas Ph.D. Assessment667.00733.70
Washington/Sydney/Dublin Accord Qualification Assessment + Relevant Skilled Employment Assessment + Overseas Ph.D. Assessment1,035.001,138.50

Additional Assessment Services Fees

Assessment TypeFee (Exclusive GST) AUD$Fee (Inclusive GST) AUD$
Separate Relevant Skilled Employment Assessment418.00459.80
Separate Overseas Ph.D. Assessment280.00308.00
Separate Relevant Skilled Employment Assessment + Overseas Ph.D. Assessment648.00712.80

Administrative Fees

Assessment TypeFee (Exclusive GST) AUD$Fee (Inclusive GST) AUD$
Review Fee290.91320.00
Appeal Fee550.91606.00
Standard Administration Fee110.00121.00
Fast Track Fee (Additional)310.91342.00

CDR Report for Successful Engineers Australia Skills Assessment

A well-prepared and flawlessly CDR report is significant in achieving a successful Engineers Australia skills assessment. It showcases your qualifications, competencies, and expertise, providing a comprehensive overview of your engineering skills to Engineers Australia. With a carefully structured CDR report that aligns with the guidelines and showcases their engineering expertise, engineers can increase their chances of a smooth and successful migration to Australia.

We, CDR Engineers Australia, are committed to assisting engineers in their migration journey by providing expert CDR report writing services. Trust our experienced CDR writers to deliver a CDR report that aligns with the requirements of Engineers Australia and sets you on the path to a rewarding engineering career in Australia. Contact Us today and let us help you make your dream of skilled migration a reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is migration skill assessment valid for?

The EA migration skill assessment is typically valid for three years from the date of issuance. It is recommended to check the official website of the Department of Home Affairs for the specific validity requirements for the intended visa application

Can I submit EOI before the skills assessment?

You can submit an EOI (Expression of Interest) before completing the skills assessment. However, having a positive skills assessment is crucial for receiving an invitation to apply for a visa.

What will I get after the assessment?

After a successful assessment, you will receive a letter or document from Engineers Australia confirming the outcome of your assessment, which can be used for visa application purposes.

Should you apply for a new EA ID number If you already have a CID number?

If you already have a CID (Client ID) number from Engineers Australia, you should continue using that ID for all future applications and communications.

Can I cancel my application and get a refund?

Once you have submitted your application for the migration skill assessment, it cannot be cancelled or refunded. Therefore, it’s important to carefully review your application before submitting it.

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