Engineers are consistently ranked among the most sought-after professionals in Australia. Because the nation relies heavily on infrastructure development, mining, and renewable energy, the Department of Home Affairs maintains various engineering roles on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List.
If you hold a degree in engineering, you have a distinct advantage in securing Permanent Residency (PR), provided you can navigate the technical requirements of the migration program.
Understanding the Visa Framework for Engineers
Australia uses a points-based system to manage skilled migration. As an engineer, your primary goal is to score enough points to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a permanent visa. Most applicants from overseas or those already working in Australia on temporary visas target the following categories:
| Visa Subclass | Type | Requirements |
| Subclass 189 | Skilled Independent | Points-tested; no nomination required; live anywhere. |
| Subclass 190 | Skilled Nominated | Requires state/territory nomination; adds 5 points. |
| Subclass 491 | Regional (Provisional) | Requires regional nomination; adds 15 points; leads to PR. |
These pathways require you to have an occupation on the relevant Skilled Occupation List, such as Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, or Electrical Engineer.
Related Link ⇒ CDR for Australian PR
The Role of Engineers Australia in Your PR Journey
Before you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), you must prove that your skills meet Australian standards. This is done through a formal skills assessment conducted by Engineers Australia (EA), the national assessing authority for the engineering profession.
The assessment process varies depending on where you obtained your degree, but it always serves as the foundation of your PR application.
The Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) Pathway
If your engineering qualification is from a country not recognised by the Washington, Sydney, or Dublin Accords, you must follow the CDR pathway. This is a technical document that demonstrates that your knowledge and skills are equivalent to Australian standards. A CDR report consists of three main components:
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD): A list showing how you have kept your knowledge current after graduation.
- Three Career Episodes: Detailed essays focusing on specific engineering projects you have handled, written in the first person to highlight your personal contribution.
- Summary Statement: A matrix that links your career episodes to the specific competency elements required by Engineers Australia.
Scoring Your PR through the Points Test
Once your skills are verified, you must calculate your points. Currently, the minimum threshold is 65 points, but for competitive engineering streams, you will likely need 85-95 points to be successful.
Points are awarded based on your age, English language proficiency (PTE or IELTS), work experience (both overseas and Australian), and educational qualifications. If you are struggling to reach the points cut-off, obtaining a state nomination for a 190 visa or moving to a regional area for a 491 visa can provide the boost your score needs.
Securing Your Future in the Australian Engineering Sector
Securing PR is not just about the paperwork; it is about proving you can integrate into the Australian workforce. The job market is robust, but employers value engineers who can demonstrate a clear understanding of local safety standards and technical codes.
By successfully completing your skills assessment and securing your visa, you gain the right to live and work indefinitely in one of the world’s most stable and high-paying engineering environments.
Related Blog ⇒ How to Prepare CDR for Australia Migration?
