Overview of Skills Assessments for Engineers

A positive or suitable skills assessment is the mandatory first important for every person intending to apply for a General Skilled Migration (GSM) permanent visa under the SkillSelect program.

For professional engineers, engineering technologists and engineering associates, a skills assessment application should be lodged with Engineers Australia, as they are the skills assessing authority for all engineering occupations for migration purposes.


Engineers Australia skills assessments

There are two pathways for an Engineers Australia skills assessment:

  • Applicants with an accredited Australian qualification or a qualification recognised under the Washington Accord, Sydney Accord or Dublin Accord.
  • Applicants with a non-accredited engineering qualification.

Accredited Qualifications Pathway

In general, Engineers Australia recognises the following engineering qualifications for migration purposes:

  • Accredited Bachelor of Engineering degrees awarded by Australian universities.
  • Washington Accord for Professional Engineering degrees.
  • Sydney Accord for Engineering Technologist degrees.
  • Dublin Accord for Engineering Associate qualifications.

Washington Accord

The Washington Accord is an international agreement which allows signatories to recognise professional engineering degrees accredited by each signatory member. The signatory countries are:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Chinese Taipei (from 2007)
  • Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (from 1995)
  • India (from 2014)
  • Ireland
  • Japan (from 2005)
  • Korea (from 2007)
  • Malaysia (from 2009)
  • New Zealand
  • Russia (from 2012)
  • Singapore (from 2006)
  • South Africa (from 1999)
  • Sri Lanka (from 2014)
  • Turkey (from 2011)
  • United Kingdom
  • United States

Sydney Accord

The Sydney Accord is an international agreement which allows signatories to recognise engineering technologist degrees accredited by each signatory member. The signatory countries are:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Chinese Taipei (from 2014)
  • Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
  • Ireland
  • Korea (from 2013)
  • New Zealand
  • South Africa
  • United Kingdom
  • United States (from 2009)

If you hold a bachelor of engineering degree which is recognised under the Washington Accord or Sydney Accord, you will generally be eligible for a positive skills assessment from Engineers Australia.



Competency Demonstration Report Pathway

If you hold a bachelor of engineering degree from a university outside of the Washington Accord or Sydney Accord, you will need to do a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) as part of your skills assessment application to Engineers Australia. Note that you may still be required to do a CDR even if you hold a master of engineering degree from a Washington/Sydney Accord country as long as your bachelor of engineering degree is from a non-Washington/Sydney Accord country.

Engineering skills assessments are complex and in our experience, applicants benefit immensely with proper advice and effective guidance. Arlington Legal has extensive experience and expertise in assisting and advising clients who are applying for a skills assessment with Engineers Australia.


Initial Assessment Service

If you would like to get an initial assessment on your eligibility for an engineering skills assessment, please use our initial assessment service:


Engineering Occupation Codes

A list of engineering occupation codes can be viewed here.