Engineers Australia Assessment in Progress

What It Means and What to Do Next

Moving your engineering career to Australia begins with a formal review of your qualifications and experience. Engineers Australia (EA) is the accrediting authority that evaluates overseas engineers for skilled migration. When you submit your skills assessment application to EA, you can follow the status in the online portal. Seeing the status “Assessment in Progress” means your application is being actively reviewed by an EA assessor. This is a crucial step: it tells you that all required documents have been received and your case is now under evaluation. In this guide, we’ll explain exactly what this status means, how long it can take, and what you should (and shouldn’t) do while your application is being processed. By understanding each phase of the EA assessment, you can stay informed and ready for the next steps toward your Australian visa.

What Is Engineers Australia (EA) and the Skills Assessment?

Engineers Australia is the professional body authorized by the Australian government to perform migration skills assessments for engineers. In practice, this means EA checks whether your overseas engineering qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards. Every engineer who wants to apply for a skilled migration visa (like subclass 189, 190 or 491) must have a positive EA skills assessment outcome before proceeding. The assessment verifies your academic degree, work history, English ability, and professional competence against EA’s competency standards. Only if EA is satisfied that you meet the required engineering competencies will they issue an outcome letter for migration purposes. In short, the Engineers Australia Skill Assessment is the gateway to claiming points and lodging your visa application. EA offers different assessment pathways depending on your credentials. For example, if you hold an accredited Australian engineering degree or one from a Washington/Sydney/Dublin Accord country, a simpler pathway may apply. Otherwise, you typically use the Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) pathway, which involves submitting a detailed report of your engineering projects. (In the CDR, you provide career episodes and a summary statement to demonstrate your competence.) In all cases, EA’s assessors will verify your identity, check your degree and transcripts, evaluate your written CDR documentation, and confirm your English test results. Only after all criteria are met will EA send you a “Skills Assessment Outcome Letter” saying whether your application is approved or refused.

Understanding “Assessment in Progress” Status

When you first log into the EA migration portal after submitting your application, you will see various status updates. Common status messages include “Application Received”, “Waiting for Documents”, and “Assessment in Progress”. The status “Assessment in Progress” is one of the most important milestones. It means that your application has successfully moved past the initial checks and is now with an EA assessor for review. In plain terms, EA has all your paperwork and your case has been allocated to an assessor to evaluate the content. In EA’s own guidance for migration agents, they define these statuses:

Awaiting assessment/Assessment in progress – the application has been claimed by an assessor for review.
Awaiting applicant response – EA has asked you to provide more information or documents.
Outcome granted – a final decision has been made and issued.

Thus, seeing “Assessment in Progress” is a positive sign. It indicates that EA did not find any missing critical documents at the outset. It means your application has the minimum requirements and is entering the detailed evaluation phase. If the status had been “Waiting for Documents” instead, EA would be holding your application until you upload the missing paperwork. But with “Assessment in Progress,” that step is complete and your file is in queue for assessment.

Tip: You should check the EA portal regularly. Status updates (like requests for more documents) will appear there. You can also email EA for updates, but avoid frequent inquiries as this generally won’t speed up processing.

Steps Before and After “Assessment in Progress”

It helps to know the sequence of steps in the EA portal. Typically, a migration skills assessment application goes through these phases:

Application Received – EA confirms they have your submission (payment made and application lodged). No review yet.
Waiting for Documents – EA has identified missing or unclear documents. You’ll need to upload the requested items to proceed.
Assessment in Progress – Your application has all basic requirements and is now being evaluated by an EA assessor.
Awaiting Applicant Response – The assessor has questions or needs clarification. EA will pause and request additional info via the portal.
Assessment Complete/Outcome Given – The assessor has finished reviewing your case. EA will then issue an outcome (positive or negative).

The “Assessment in Progress” status sits in the middle of this workflow. It essentially says “EA is actively reviewing your case now.” After this stage, the next status will be “Assessment Complete” or directly “Outcome Issued”. Once the outcome is issued, you will receive an official Skills Assessment Outcome Letter by email. That letter confirms your assessment result, including your nominated occupation and whether the assessment was positive.

What Happens During Assessment in Progress

While your application is “in progress,” the EA assessor is rigorously checking all materials against EA’s standards. The assessor’s tasks typically include:

Verifying Identity and Qualification Documents: The assessor confirms your ID (e.g. passport), degree certificate, and academic transcripts. They ensure your qualifications match what you claimed. All documents must be clear and correctly translated.
Checking the CDR or Accord Pathway Materials: If you’re on the CDR pathway, the assessor reads your three career episodes and summary statement to verify your competencies. They ensure each episode covers the required engineering competencies. (If you came via an Accord pathway, they check your accredited degree details.)
Reviewing Work Experience: Your resume/CV and any employment references are checked. The assessor matches your claimed work history to evidence (letters, reports) to confirm you have the required experience level.
English Language Verification: Your IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL results are verified. The assessor makes sure you meet the minimum band scores (usually at least 6.0 in each band for skilled migration).
Checking Against ANZSCO Requirements: EA compares your qualifications and experience with the requirements of your nominated ANZSCO occupation code. They ensure you meet the “entry to practice” benchmarks for that engineering role.
Plagiarism Screening: For CDRs, EA runs plagiarism checks on the text. It is mandatory that all career episodes and statements are entirely original. Copying any content (even from published sources) can lead to rejection.
Relevant Skilled Employment (if requested): If you paid for or need a Relevant Skilled Employment Assessment, the assessor will evaluate your job experience for migration suitability. (EA offers a separate “Relevant Skilled Employment” service to confirm that your work experience is relevant to the occupation.)

Throughout this stage, the assessor is looking for any gaps or issues. If everything meets EA’s strict criteria, your application will proceed smoothly to completion. If the assessor finds something lacking (e.g. missing details in a work letter), EA will request additional information from you and change the status to “Awaiting Applicant Response.” Only when all issues are resolved will EA finalize the assessment.

Timeline: How Long Does “Assessment in Progress” Take?

A common question is “How long will EA take to assess my application?” The answer varies. Officially, Engineers Australia states that standard (non fast-track) applications take about 15 weeks before an assessor is assigned to the case. This means that on average, it takes around 3–4 months after lodgement for your status to even change from “Application Received” to “Assessment in Progress.” This 15-week figure is for assigning an assessor – after that, additional weeks (or months) may be needed to complete the assessment. However, many applicants observe somewhat shorter processing times in practice. Industry guides and migration professionals often report total assessment durations (from lodgement to outcome) on the order of 8–12 weeks. These faster timelines usually assume the case is well-prepared and the assessor can finish the review promptly. Your actual timeline will depend on factors like:

Volume of applications EA has at the time (there can be seasonal spikes).
Completeness of your application: If all documents are clear, legible, and English results are provided, the process will be quicker.
Pathway type: CDR applications may take longer than simple Accord reviews because of the extra documents.
Need for clarification: If EA requests more information, that will extend the process, depending on how fast you respond.

Fast Track Option

EA offers a paid “Fast Track” service to speed up the assignment to an assessor. For an extra fee (currently AUD 350+GST), a Fast Track application guarantees that an assessor will take up your case within 20 business days of submitting the request. In other words, instead of waiting up to 15 weeks in queue, your file will leap ahead to being “Assessment in Progress” within about a month.

It’s important to note, though, that Fast Track only speeds up the initial queue. It does not guarantee an earlier final decision. EA cautions that you still get assessed on merit and processing time “depends entirely on the quality of the documents”. If your paperwork is perfect, the assessor may finish quickly. If there are issues (or if you need to supply additional info), you still must wait those extra days. As the EA website notes, even a fast-tracked application “doesn’t mean you’ll receive an outcome” within that timeframe. It simply cuts down on the waiting-time before assessment starts.

In summary, with Fast Track you can reach “Assessment in Progress” much sooner, but the completion date depends on the case. If you choose Fast Track, be sure you are ready with every document properly formatted before lodging, since any missing piece will negate the time savings.

What to Do While Your Assessment Is in Progress

Waiting for your assessment result can be stressful. You are eager to know the outcome, but keep in mind that there is usually nothing beneficial you can do to speed it up aside from patience. In fact, excessive inquiries to EA can slow the process, as assessors must manage communications. Here are some productive steps to take while your application is under review:

Prepare for the Visa Application: Use this time to gather documents you’ll need for your visa lodgement. For example, if you plan to apply for a subclass 189/190/491 visa, prepare items like language test results, health and character documents, etc. As soon as EA issues a positive assessment letter, you can move quickly on the visa side.
Double-Check Your English: If your English score was borderline (e.g. 6.0 in each band), consider retaking the test to improve it. A higher IELTS or PTE score can give you more points for the visa even if it doesn’t affect the EA assessment (EA only needs the minimum to clear English competency).
Monitor the EA Portal: Keep an eye on your EA online account. EA may post status updates or information requests there. Check every week or so to catch any new messages, especially if EA asks for “additional information.”
Avoid Harassing EA: Once you see “Assessment in Progress,” do not repeatedly email or call EA for a status update. EA has clearly stated that you can log in to see updates and that emailing for minor updates is discouraged. In fact, frequent inquiries can create extra work for the assessor. Wait patiently unless EA specifically asks for something.
Seek Expert Help If Unsure: If you have concerns about your submission (for example, you think some documents were not properly prepared), you might consult an experienced migration agent or CDR consultant. While this can’t speed up EA, it can give you peace of mind. (Just ensure you only use registered migration experts, as unregistered advice can be risky.)

Most importantly, keep in mind that once you see “Assessment in Progress,” you have cleared the first hurdle. The ball is now in EA’s court. Your role is mainly to be available to provide any additional documents if requested, and to be ready to act on the outcome when it arrives.

Additional Information Requests: What to Do If EA Asks for More Papers

Sometimes, during assessment, EA will find something that needs clarification. This is not a rejection – it is simply EA playing safe. In such cases, your status will change to something like “Additional Information Requested” or “Awaiting Applicant Response.” Common reasons for EA asking for more information include:

Missing Document: Perhaps a document wasn’t uploaded correctly, or a required certificate (like your degree or transcript) is not present.
Clarification of Work Duties: EA may ask your employer to provide a more detailed job description letter, or to clarify your dates of employment and duties.
CDR Details: An assessor might request more technical details or clearer mapping in your career episodes or summary statement.
English Score Issues: If your English test results didn’t meet the criteria (e.g. an expired test or missing test report), EA will need an updated score.

If EA does request more information, you will receive a notification via email and the portal will change status. You should respond promptly. Usually EA will state exactly what they need. Gather the requested documents, prepare them as directed, and upload them to the EA account. Typically, EA gives a deadline to supply the items. Responding thoroughly and quickly avoids delays or a possible refusal for lack of response.

If you fail to provide what EA asks within the given time, EA may eventually make a decision with incomplete information, which could be negative. So treat any “Awaiting Response” status seriously and comply in full.

After Assessment: “Assessment Complete” and Outcome

Once the assessor has finished reviewing everything, your EA portal status will change to “Assessment Complete,” followed by “Outcome Issued.” At that point, EA will email you the official Skills Assessment Outcome Letter. The outcome letter is a formal migration document that shows: your name and EA applicant ID, your nominated occupation and ANZSCO code, the fact that the assessment was positive (or not), the qualifications EA recognized (e.g. bachelor’s degree, master’s degree), and the date of the decision. A positive outcome means you are now qualified to claim engineering points for immigration and can proceed with your visa application. A negative outcome means the application was refused.

If positive, save the outcome letter carefully. You will need it to attach to any skilled visa application. EA notes that “You’ll need a migration skills assessment outcome letter from us before you can apply for a visa to come to Australia.” Keep copies, and remember that this letter is usually valid indefinitely (though Home Affairs may say how long it can be used for migration purposes).

What to Do if the Outcome Is Unfavourable

If for any reason you receive a negative assessment outcome or the assessor’s comments indicate issues, don’t panic. You have a few options:

Outcome Review or Appeal: You have the right to ask for an EA review (or appeal) of the decision. EA’s process allows you to apply for a review within 3 months of the outcome. You would need to present new evidence or a stronger argument to support why the assessment should be positive. For example, if the assessor said a certain experience wasn’t covered, you might provide additional detailed evidence for that experience.
Reapply: In some cases, it may be simpler to correct the application and re-submit. This could apply if there was a clerical error, or if more documentation can be provided easily. For example, if your CDR was deemed insufficient, you could rewrite or augment it and try again (bearing in mind the fee).
Get Professional Assistance: If you’re unsure what went wrong, consider consulting with a migration/skills assessment expert. They can review the feedback and help determine whether a review or reapplication makes sense, and assist in preparing any new submission or appeal.

Remember that many engineers do not get a perfect outcome on the first try. Persistence and careful correction can overcome initial refusals. The important thing is to address the issues raised by EA using credible evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long will the “Assessment in Progress” stage last? A: Typically, once EA starts assessing (i.e. status is “in progress”), it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to reach a result. Many reports say 8–12 weeks, but it varies with case complexity. The official guidance is that standard processing to get an assessor is ~15 weeks, and then additional time beyond that.

Q: Can I change my application after lodgement? A: No. Once EA has commenced assessment, you cannot alter the submitted application. If you realize something important was left out, EA will request additional info themselves (changing status to “Awaiting Response”). Until then, the portal locks further changes.

Q: What if I forgot to upload a document? A: If EA notices a missing document, they will email you to ask for it and set status to “Awaiting applicant response.” You should provide the missing document promptly to avoid delays.

Q: Is it normal for “Assessment in Progress” to remain unchanged for weeks? A: Yes. After EA claims the application, the status may not update again until the outcome or if more info is needed. You might see “in progress” for several weeks, especially if the queue is long. Patience is key during this waiting period.

Q: Should I contact Engineers Australia during the wait? A: Only if absolutely necessary (for example, if you have new crucial information that you could not upload initially). Routine follow-ups are not recommended. Unnecessary inquiries can overload the system and may even cause delays.

Staying Proactive Until Your Outcome

Reaching the “Assessment in Progress” status is a significant step forward. It confirms that your EA application is complete and being evaluated. While you wait, stay organized and ready. Keep your visa documentation updated, improve any close-call English scores, and ensure you can quickly respond to any EA requests.

Once you receive a positive assessment, immediately use your outcome letter to apply for your visa. If the assessment is negative, review it carefully and decide whether to request a review or reapply. In either case, professionals like migration agents or CDR writers (who specialize in Engineers Australia submissions) can be very helpful to guide you through the next steps. Engaging with EA’s process in a timely, informed manner will smooth your path. Remember, a little patience and preparedness now can speed up your journey to becoming an engineer in Australia later.