The Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) conducted by Engineers Australia (EA) evaluates overseas engineering qualifications and professional experience for Australian skilled migration visas. Obtaining a positive Skills Assessment is a mandatory prerequisite for most engineering visa subclasses under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program.
1. Overview of the Engineers Australia Skills Assessment
Engineers Australia assesses whether your engineering education, training, and professional skills meet Australian occupational standards for Engineers, Engineering Technologists, and Engineering Associates.
2. Assessment Pathways Recognized by Engineers Australia
Engineers Australia offers two main categories of assessment pathways depending on whether your engineering qualification is internationally accredited:
Accredited Qualification Pathways
- Australian Qualifications Pathway: For graduates holding accredited engineering degrees completed at Australian universities.
- Washington Accord Pathway: For professional engineering degrees accredited under the Washington Accord.
- Sydney Accord Pathway: For engineering technologist degrees accredited under the Sydney Accord.
- Dublin Accord Pathway: For engineering associate degrees accredited under the Dublin Accord.
Non-Accredited Qualification Pathway (CDR)
- Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) Pathway: Required for overseas engineers whose qualifications are from non-signatory countries or non-accredited academic programs.
For a complete guide to writing a CDR, visit our Engineers Australia CDR Guide.
3. Required Application Documents
All applicants must submit standard documentation, including:
- Valid passport and identity documents.
- English language proficiency test results (IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic).
- Official degree certificates and academic transcripts.
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- For CDR applicants: CPD list, three Career Episodes, and a Summary Statement.
4. Processing Times & Fees Overview
Processing times depend on application volume and pathway. Standard Migration Skills Assessment applications generally take about 15 weeks to be assigned to an assessor, while Fast Track processing prioritizes assessor allocation within approximately 20 business days.
For complete details on current costs and processing options, visit our dedicated resources:
For applicants seeking assessment under managerial engineering classifications, review our dedicated Engineering Manager (ANZSCO 133211) Guide.
Detailed migration skills assessment requirements for structural engineering professionals are covered in our Structural Engineer (ANZSCO 233214) Guide.
Detailed migration skills assessment requirements for geotechnical engineering professionals are covered in our Geotechnical Engineer (ANZSCO 233212) Guide.
Detailed migration skills assessment requirements for mining engineering professionals are covered in our Mining Engineer (ANZSCO 233611) Guide.
Detailed migration skills assessment requirements for petroleum engineering professionals are covered in our Petroleum Engineer (ANZSCO 233612) Guide.
Detailed migration skills assessment requirements for industrial engineering professionals are covered in our Industrial Engineer (ANZSCO 233511) Guide.
Detailed skills assessment requirements for plant and manufacturing engineering professionals are covered in our Production or Plant Engineer (ANZSCO 233513) Guide.
Detailed skills assessment requirements for environmental engineering professionals are covered in our Environmental Engineer (ANZSCO 233915) Guide.
Detailed skills assessment requirements for traffic and transportation engineering professionals are covered in our Transport Engineer (ANZSCO 233215) Guide.
Detailed skills assessment requirements for radio-frequency, wireless, and optical transmission engineering professionals are covered in our Telecommunications Engineer (ANZSCO 263311) Guide.
Detailed skills assessment requirements for material selection, corrosion, and failure analysis engineering professionals are covered in our Materials Engineer (ANZSCO 233112) Guide.
Detailed skills assessment requirements for vessel design, hydrostatics, and marine architecture professionals are covered in our Naval Architect (ANZSCO 233916) Guide.
Detailed Stage 1 competency requirements for technology adaptation and application roles are covered in our Engineering Technologist (ANZSCO 233914) Guide.
Requirements for non-standard or specialized engineering roles are detailed in our Engineering Professionals nec (ANZSCO 233999) Guide.
Technical support requirements in civil engineering testing are detailed in our Civil Engineering Technician (ANZSCO 312212) Guide.
Technical support requirements in electrical engineering testing are detailed in our Electrical Engineering Technician (ANZSCO 312312) Guide.
Technical support requirements in mechanical engineering testing are detailed in our Mechanical Engineering Technician (ANZSCO 312512) Guide.
Requirements for network planning and performance monitoring roles are detailed in our Telecommunications Network Engineer (ANZSCO 263312) Guide.
Requirements for electronic drafting and control systems documentation are detailed in our Electronic Engineering Draftsperson (ANZSCO 312411) Guide.
Requirements for telecommunications field commissioning and network testing are detailed in our Telecommunications Field Engineer (ANZSCO 313212) Guide.
Requirements for customer-access network development and route planning are detailed in our Telecommunications Network Planner (ANZSCO 313213) Guide.
Requirements for telecommunications network performance monitoring and technical support are detailed in our Telecommunications Technical Officer or Technologist (ANZSCO 313214) Guide.
Assessment pathways for non-standard technician roles are detailed in our Building and Engineering Technicians nec (ANZSCO 312999) Guide.