Last Updated on March 29, 2026 by Ozlinks Education
Why is an EA skills assessment required?
If you are looking to migrate to Australia as an engineer under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, particularly for a points-tested visa such as subclass 491, subclass 190, or subclass 189, completing a skills assessment is essential. This assessment is a crucial requirement for your Expression of Interest (EOI) and your visa application.
Engineers Australia (EA) is an authorised skills assessment authority responsible for evaluating a wide range of engineering professionals’ occupations. EA assesses applicants’ qualifications, skills, and work experience to determine whether they meet the standards established by the Department of Home Affairs.
Key reasons for the EA skills assessment:
- Mandatory Visa Requirement: A valid and positive skills assessment is essential for the purpose of General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa 491, visa 189, visa 190, and an Employer Sponsor visa 494 and visa 186 DE Stream.
- Suitability Assessment: The skills assessment determines if your qualifications and skills match the engineering industry standards required for your nominated occupation in Australia.
- Migration Points: EA assesses your work experience to verify your eligibility for the migration points test.
- The Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) assessment pathway is intended for international engineers with non-accredited qualifications who wish to demonstrate their competency for skilled migration to Australia. This assessment requires the submission of a detailed report, which includes a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) list, three Career Episodes (CEs), and a Summary Statement. Collectively, these components showcase how candidates have applied their engineering knowledge in practical projects.
EA Skills Assessment Assistance
Ozlinks agents have extensive experience preparing documents for all engineering occupations assessed by the Engineers Australia assessment authority. Each occupation has specific qualifications and work experience requirements. We assist you in selecting the appropriate ANZSCO occupation that aligns with your migration objectives and corresponds to your skills and experience.
The key to achieving a positive skill assessment result is selecting the appropriate ANZSCO occupation that aligns with your education and work experience. If you have worked in a similar field in your home country, it is important to note that the job description for the ANZSCO occupation may differ.
An experienced skills assessment agent familiar with document checking and the relevant criteria can assist you in making the right choice from the outset, ultimately saving you time and money and helping you avoid potential mistakes.
What We Do
- We assist you in selecting the most suitable ANZSCO occupation based on your qualifications and work experience.
- We help you prepare all required documents for your application.
- We help with completing the application form.
- We submit your skills assessment application on your behalf.
- We follow up to ensure your application is processed in a timely manner.
Engineering Occupation List
| Skill Level | Occupation | Skill Level | Occupation List | Assessing Authority |
| 233111 | Chemical Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233112 | Materials Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233211 | Civil Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233212 | Geotechnical Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233214 | Structural Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233215 | Transport Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233311 | Electrical Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233411 | Electronics Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233511 | Industrial Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233512 | Mechanical Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233513 | Production Or Plant Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233611 | Mining Engineer (Excluding Petroleum) | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233612 | Petroleum Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233911 | Aeronautical Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233912 | Agricultural Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233913 | Biomedical Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233914 | Engineering Technologist | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233915 | Environmental Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233916 | Naval Architect | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 233999 | Engineering Professionals (Nec) | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 263311 | Telecommunications Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 263312 | Telecommunications Network Engineer | 1 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 312311 | Electrical Engineering Draftsperson | 2 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 313212 | Telecommunications Field Engineer | 2 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 313213 | Telecommunications Network Planner | 2 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 313214 | Telecommunications Technical Officer Or Technologist | 2 | MLTSSL | Engineers Australia |
| 312511 | Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson | 2 | ROL | Engineers Australia |
Assessment Pathways
Assessment type |
Choose this when you |
| Competency Demonstration Report | Have non-accredited qualifications.
Have accredited qualifications but want to be assessed as a different occupation than the degree title. Are applying as an Engineering Manager. |
| Australian qualification | Have Australian qualifications accredited by Engineers Australia |
| Dublin Accord | Have an accredited qualification issued from a country under the Dublin Accord |
| Sydney Accord | Have an accredited qualification issued from a country under the Sydney Accord |
| Washington Accord | Have an accredited qualification issued from a country under the Washington Accord
Have a French engineering degree covered under the CTI agreement |
English Language Requirements
When you apply, you must demonstrate your command of the English language. This can be accomplished by submitting one of the following acceptable English language exam results: This table shows the minimum scores required for each test and module.
| IELTS | TOEFL iBT® | PTE ACADEMIC | |
| Listening | 6 | 12 | 50 |
| Reading | 6 | 13 | 50 |
| Writing | 6 | 21 | 50 |
| Speaking | 6 | 18 | 50 |
Documents Requirement
The following is a summary of the documentation list that you need in order to submit your application for the skill assessment. Please visit Engineer Australia for a comprehensive list of all of the document requirements.
- Passport and passport photo
- Proof of identity, including a national ID or driver’s license
- Current CV/Resume
- English proficiency test result (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE)
- Qualification certificate and academic transcript.
- Employment evidence, including an employment letter, payslips, tax return and superannuation.
Please note that if any of your required documents are not written in English, you will also need to submit the original document with an official translation into English from accredited translators.
Processing Time
Standard assessment applications typically take eight to twelve weeks from the date you submit and pay for the application to Engineers Australia. The time it takes to complete is determined by how quickly Engineers Australia receives all relevant documents and any additional information from you. Making sure you've provided all of the relevant papers in the proper format will assist reduce the amount of time it takes to process them.
What will I get after the assessment?
When your application for a skills assessment is complete, the Engineers Australia, the assessing authority will provide a migration skills assessment outcome letter. You will need this letter to apply for your visa.
Application Fees
The table below summarizes the fees that are charged by Engineers Australia in compliance with it for the purpose of skill assessments for migration. Skills assessment fees for the 2024 to 2025 period are set out below.
|
Item/s |
Fee excl. GST |
Fee incl. GST |
|
Standard competency demonstration report |
$880 |
$968 |
|
Competency demonstration report plus |
$1285 |
$1413.50 |
|
Competency demonstration report plus overseas engineering PhD assessment |
$1135 |
$1248.50 |
|
Competency demonstration report plus |
$1540 |
$1694 |
Frequent Ask Questions
Here is a list of common questions that our clients ask us regarding EA skills assessment for migration. If you need more information do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
You typically require an EA skills assessment if you belong to one of the following categories:
1-Skilled Migration Applicants:
Individuals applying for General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas, including:
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189).
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190).
- Skilled Regional Visa (subclass 491).
2-International Graduates:
International student graduates holding an Australian diploma are applying for a Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) under the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
3-Employer-Sponsored Workers:
Individuals applying for Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186) Direct Entry Stream and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494) are required to complete an EA skills assessment.
An EA Migration Skills Assessment outcome is valid for a period of 3 years from the date it is issued.
Ozlinks Agent can assist you in completing the skills assessment with Engineers Australia. We offer comprehensive, step-by-step support to help you meet all document requirements and prepare your application for a positive outcome.
Yes, the EA does assess part-time and self-employment, provided it is adequately documented and involves remuneration for a minimum of 20 hours per week. It is crucial to supply all relevant evidence, including project contracts, reference letters, payment records, and personal tax income documentation.
Yes, an English test is mandatory for an Engineers Australia (EA) migration skills assessment unless you qualify for an exemption.
You must submit valid results from IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic, taken within the past two years. These results must demonstrate a score of at least 6.0 in each band for IELTS or PTE equivalent.
Typically, Engineers Australia takes approximately 12 to 16 weeks to process standard applications for migration skills assessments. In contrast, the Fast Track option generally requires around 20 working days, which is roughly 4 weeks.
Processing times may vary depending on the completeness of the application, with non-accredited or Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) pathways often taking longer than those with accredited qualifications.