What is Engineers Australia?
Engineers Australia (EA) is the peak professional body representing Australia's engineering profession and the only designated authority for skills assessment of engineers seeking permanent migration to Australia. Established under legislation to maintain professional standards, EA assesses whether overseas engineering qualifications and experience meet Australian professional engineering standards.
Under Australia's skilled migration framework, EA conducts independent technical assessments of engineering qualifications and experience to determine if applicants meet the competency requirements for specific engineering occupations. This assessment is a critical component of most skilled migration visa pathways and serves as objective verification that an engineer's qualifications are equivalent to an Australian-qualified engineer's competency level.
EA recognizes qualifications accredited under three major international engineering accords: the Washington Accord, Sydney Accord, and Dublin Accord. Engineers holding non-accredited qualifications or seeking alternative engineering occupations must submit a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR), a portfolio-based assessment that demonstrates technical competency across 16 competency elements defined by EA.
EA assesses across multiple engineering disciplines including civil engineering, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, mining engineering, electrical engineering, electronics engineering, telecommunications engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, production engineering, and engineering technology roles.
Which visas require a EA skills assessment?
Engineers Australia skills assessments are required for most skilled migration visa pathways. Your positive EA assessment is a mandatory component of your application.
Your EA skills assessment confirms that your engineering qualifications and experience meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation code. This assessment is used as evidence of your professional qualifications when applying for skilled visa subclasses. A positive EA assessment is valid for three years from the date of issue and supports your application throughout the visa process.
How EA assessment works
Engineers Australia conducts skills assessments through two primary pathways depending on your qualification accreditation status. The process involves document submission, qualification verification, and in most cases, a technical competency assessment.
- Create an online account on the Engineers Australia myPortal and select your assessment pathway (MSA for accredited qualifications or CDR for non-accredited)
- Prepare and compile all required documents including certified degree, official transcripts, CV, employment references, English language test results, and if applicable, your Competency Demonstration Report
- Submit your complete application online with payment of the assessment fee (standard or fast-track)
- EA verifies document authenticity and completeness; you may be contacted for additional information or clarification if documents are incomplete
- Your application is assigned to a case officer or technical assessor who reviews your qualifications and experience against the competency requirements
- The assessor conducts a detailed technical assessment of your competency elements and prepares an assessment outcome
- Receive your formal assessment outcome letter confirming either a positive or negative skills assessment result
Assessment pathways
Engineers Australia offers assessment pathways tailored to your qualification background. The pathway you follow depends on whether your engineering degree is accredited internationally and whether your nominated occupation matches your qualification.
If you hold a Bachelor degree in engineering accredited under the Washington Accord, Sydney Accord, or Dublin Accord, or an Australian engineering degree, you may be eligible for the streamlined MSA pathway. This pathway focuses on qualification verification rather than comprehensive competency assessment, typically resulting in faster processing (7–15 weeks to assignment). Requires certified degree, official transcript, CV, and English language test.
If your engineering qualification is not accredited, or you wish to be assessed for an engineering occupation that differs from your degree title, you must submit a Competency Demonstration Report. The CDR is a technical portfolio demonstrating your competency across 16 specific competency elements through three detailed Career Episodes (engineering projects), a Summary Statement, and evidence of Continuing Professional Development. This pathway allows assessment of non-traditional qualifications and experience-based competency.
Engineering technologists holding a three-year accredited engineering technology degree can apply for assessment. This pathway follows similar streamlined processes to the MSA for accredited qualifications but is designed for technologist roles requiring a different competency profile than professional engineers.
Documents required
Documents required vary by pathway but typically include:
- Certified colour copy of passport or national identity document (certified directly from original by authorized person)
- Official certified degree certificate or testamur from your awarding university
- Official certified academic transcripts showing all subjects, grades, and duration of study
- Comprehensive CV detailing engineering work experience, projects, positions, and technical responsibilities (typically 10+ years reviewed)
- English language test results (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or Cambridge) — usually minimum IELTS 6.0 per band unless exempt
- Employment reference letters on company letterhead confirming your role, responsibilities, and project experience from supervisors or senior colleagues
- For CDR pathway: Three Career Episodes (1,000–2,500 words each) detailing specific engineering projects demonstrating competency against EA's 16 competency elements
- For CDR pathway: Summary Statement linking competency elements to paragraphs in Career Episodes
- For CDR pathway: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) evidence (one A4 page) of recent training or professional development
- Statutory declarations (if required) to verify employment or project experience when independent evidence is unavailable
- Documentation of any relevant professional engineering registrations or licenses held
- Any additional qualifications (Masters degrees, diplomas, certifications) that support your technical competency claim
All documents must be certified copies made directly from originals, not from other certified copies. Certification must include the certifier's signature, printed name, contact details, and professional qualification. Acceptable certifiers include Australian lawyers, notaries public, justices of the peace, Engineers Australia members, or overseas equivalents such as notaries, commissioners for oaths, or Australian diplomatic staff. All documents not in English must be accompanied by certified English translations.
EA assessment fees
| Application type | Fee (AUD, approx.) |
|---|---|
| MSA — Accredited Australian Degree | AUD 770 |
| MSA — Accredited International (Washington/Sydney/Dublin Accord) Degree | AUD 825 |
| CDR — Competency Demonstration Report | AUD 905 |
| Fast-Track Service (addition to standard fee) | AUD 385 |
| Overseas PhD Verification (for relevant skilled employment pathways) | AUD 346.50 |
| Skilled Employment Assessment (for alternative occupation pathways) | AUD 517 |
Assessment outcomes
EA issues one of three outcomes:
A positive Engineers Australia skills assessment confirms that your engineering qualifications and professional experience meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation code. Your positive assessment is valid for three years from the date of issue and is used as evidence of your professional qualifications in skilled migration visa applications. The assessment letter will specify your nominated ANZSCO occupation code, which must be used in your visa application.
If EA assesses your qualifications as not meeting Australian standards, you receive a formal outcome letter explaining the reason (e.g., insufficient relevant experience, qualifications do not match competency requirements, or inadequate competency demonstration). You may request a review of the assessment within 12 months, which involves EA reassessing your application and supporting documentation. Some applicants gain additional experience or further qualifications and reapply after a period of time.
If you disagree with a negative outcome, you can request a formal review of the assessment within 12 months. A review is a reassessment of your application by a different assessor and involves a review fee (typically AUD 400–600). You may also strengthen your application by gaining additional engineering experience or further qualifications and reapplying as a new application.
Occupations assessed by EA
EA is the nominated assessing authority for the following ANZSCO occupations. Click any occupation to see full visa pathway details.
| ANZSCO | Occupation | List |
|---|---|---|
| 233211 | Civil Engineer | MLTSSL |
| 233212 | Structural Engineer | MLTSSL |
| 233213 | Geotechnical Engineer | STSOL |
| 233214 | Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) | STSOL |
| 233215 | Other Civil Engineering Professional | STSOL |
| 233313 | Electrical Engineer | MLTSSL |
| 233314 | Electrical Power Engineer | STSOL |
| 233411 | Electronics Engineer | STSOL |
| 233412 | Telecommunications Engineer | STSOL |
| 233511 | Industrial Engineer | STSOL |
| 233512 | Mechanical Engineer | MLTSSL |
| 233513 | Production or Plant Engineer | STSOL |
| 233611 | Maritime Engineer | STSOL |
| 233612 | Aeronautical Engineer | STSOL |
| 233914 | Engineering Technologist | STSOL |
| 233915 | Other Engineering Professional | STSOL |
| 232214 | Engineering Manager (Bachelor degree in engineering required) | STSOL |