Introduction

Engineers of various disciplines such as Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Plant, Production, Automation, Petroleum, Chemical, etc., wishing to migrate to Australia under the Skilled Migration Program must go through the Skills Assessment process.

Engineers seeking a skills assessment have two main pathways:

1. Qualifications Route: For applicants who are qualified / have studied an accredited engineering qualification in a recognised institute., either through a Washing Accord, Sydney Accord, Dublin Accord of Australian Qualification pathway.

2. CDR Pathway: For those without an accredited engineering qualification, or for those with an overseas qualification.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the CDR pathway skills assessment process for engineers planning to immigrate to Australia.

CDR pathway is an alternative option which is specifically for the applicants who are willing to migrate to Australia but have gained their skills or qualifications through experience and education, outside but their qualifications does not fall under the qualifications pathway. The competencies are assessed through a CDR submission, allowing the applicant to showcase their abilities through academic projects, professional experience and technical skills.

Before you start your CDR submission, check eligibility as per the Engineers Australia Standards:

o   Qualifications: Engineers are required to hold an engineering degree equivalent to an Australian degree.

o   Work Experience: Applicants must have sufficient work experience as mentioned in their engineering domain to show their competency in professional engineering in suitable career episodes in case they are submitting career episodes based on work experience. If all three career episodes are based on academic qualification, then no work-related documents are required for skills assessment purpose.

o   Language Requirements: To apply for visa classes, applicants must take a mandatory language test approved by the department (e.g., IELTS, PTE). The required scores are IELTS General or Academic with minimum 6 in each; and PTE-Academic with minimum 50 in each.

o   Specialization: Engineers should apply in the right professional group as defined by Engineers Australia. The categories are mostly cantered around the particular field of engineering (e.g., civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.).

How to Prepare Competency Demonstration Report (CDR):

Career Episodes: The CDR consists of three Career Episodes (in layman language, it is a project report) and one Summary Statement.

Each Career Episode can be around 1500 to 2500 words. Don not write too extensive reports as it may waste the time of assessor in reading long reports. Also, avoid writing general information such as how a particular mechanism works, or theory knowledge because the assessor is only interested in what you did? How you did and why you did? any particular engineering task.  

o   The first part of the career episode much cover the project information such as project title, duration, location of the project, name of the employer and scope of work, project background, roles and responsibilities, organisational chart.

o   The second part much include detailed analysis of the project explaining how engineering principles and techniques are applied and the outcomes achieved; Reflection on the challenges faced and how it was resolved; Engineering tools or software utilisation.

Summary Statement: A brief formal document that connects the information with the Career Episodes to the competencies defined by Engineers Australia. This document show what every aspect of his/her background satisfies exactly what each unit of competence orders. The Summary Statement should concisely reflect how the engineering work closely aligns with the Australian engineering standards outlined in the competencies.

Engineers Australia also has a fast track processing option for a fee.

If the skills assessment is successful, a positive skills assessment letter will be issued by Engineers Australia. This letter is to certify that the applicant is eligible to apply for skilled migration. If not successful, the application gets refused, or the applicant is informed of the shortcoming in the application submission and is allowed the opportunity to rectify their CDR or submit further proof.

Points to remember for successful Skills Assessment through CDR Pathway:

o   Exact and Comprehensive Descriptions – To be comprehensive and refer to the engineering competencies as stated by Engineers Australia in your Career Episodes.

o   Linkage in the Summary Statement: Make sure to explain how your career experiences align with the skills defined in the National Engineering Competency Standards (NECS).

o   Use professional and technical language that meets Australian engineering standards.

o   Continuous Professional Development Proof: Further training/certifications or professional growth after your degree.

o   True Documents: Ensure that your job references and paperwork is authentic and duly verified.

Implementing the mentioned process truly maximises the probability of obtaining a positive skills assessment outcome from the Engineers Australia. The Skills Assessment process is critical to success in your application for skilled migration to Australia, and hence it is important to pay good attention to details in the Skills Assessment process and this where VISION MUSCAT comes into the picture. We have a dedicated, highly experienced team with over 21+ Years of experience dealing with Engineers Australia and having done almost every engineering occupation skills assessment through CDR pathway. We can guide and assist you in achieving a positive skills assessment and ultimately help you get through your skills assessment without any stress. We do not experiment with your application, rather we use our extensive experience to assist you to get a positive skills assessment.