Engineers Australia Overseas Qualification Assessment

Engineers Australia Overseas Qualification Assessment: A Full Guide for Engineers Abroad

If you are an engineer who went to school outside of Australia and now want to work there, the first and most important thing you need to do is pass the Engineers Australia Overseas Qualification Assessment. Engineers Australia will use this test to decide if your engineering degree and skills are up to par with Australian standards.
You can learn everything you need to know about Engineers Australia’s overseas qualification assessment in this piece. If you want to move to Australia or work there, this guide will explain the process, who is eligible, what papers are needed, when they are due, and how to do well.
Now let’s begin.


Engineers Australia Overseas Qualification Assessment: What Is It?

The official group that checks the credentials and skills of engineers who want to live, work, or move to Australia is Engineers Australia (EA). An important part of this process is the Overseas Qualification Assessment (OQA).
If you got your engineering degree somewhere other than Australia, you need to show that it is the same as an engineering degree from Australia. In this case, the Engineers Australia Overseas Qualification Assessment comes in handy.

The OQA can help with:

  • Applying for a skilled migration visa (Subclass 189, 190, or 491)
  • Getting a job in Australia
  • Studying more or becoming a professional

Who Needs an Assessment of Overseas Qualifications?

If you got your engineering degree from a school outside of Australia, you need an OQA from Engineers Australia.

  • You want to apply through the CDR route (Competency Demonstration Report)
  • Your qualification is not recognized by the Washington Accord, the Sydney Accord, or the Dublin Accord
  • You need your qualification to be recognized in order to work or study in Australia

This is what engineers who went to school in countries that aren’t on any of the deals have to do. Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and parts of Africa and the Middle East are all common places.


How to Understand the Pathways for Qualification Assessment

It is important to find the right assessment route before you send in your application. Engineers Australia gives you different options based on where you went to school.

1. The Way to the Washington Accord

A four-year degree in engineering from a country that has signed the Washington Accord.

2. The path of the Sydney Accord

For engineering professionals who have a three-year degree from a country that signed the Sydney Accord.

3. The Way to the Dublin Accord

For engineering partners from Dublin Accord countries who want to study for two years.

4. Pathway for the Competency Demonstration Report (CDR)

For people whose credentials are not recognized in any way. You need to make a CDR Report and turn it in.

In the event that your degree is not directly accepted by the accords, you will need to go through the CDR pathway for the Engineers Australia Overseas Qualification Assessment.


Important Parts of the Overseas Qualification Test

In order to pass the Engineers Australia Overseas Qualification Assessment, you need to give information about your schooling and show how it meets Australian standards.

These are the key parts of the process:

1. Evaluation of Qualifications

EA will look over your schoolwork to make sure that:

  • The level of your degree is the same as an Australian qualification
  • The course content is related to the engineering job you want to get into
  • You have completed the minimum number of years and subjects

2. Skill with the English language

Send in a valid test score to show that you can speak and write English. The following tests are accepted:

  • IELTS (Academic): at least 6.0 in each topic
  • TOEFL iBT: at least 12 in listening, 13 in reading, 21 in writing, and 18 in speaking
  • PTE Academic: at least 50 in all skills

We will not accept your entry if you do not have a valid English test score.

3. A CDR (Competency Demonstration Report) might be needed

You have to write a CDR to show that you know what you’re talking about if your license isn’t recognized.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD), three Career Episodes, and a Summary Statement are all parts of a full CDR.
Engineers Australia looks at this report to see if your skills and qualifications from outside of Australia meet their requirements.


What You Need for an Engineers Australia Overseas Qualification Assessment

You need to send in the following items with your OQA application:

  • Details about the document
  • The passport or ID – A color picture of your ID or passport
  • Passport-sized picture – Recent picture of yourself with a clear background and face
  • Certificates of education – The original certificate and records
  • Transcripts of grades – Subject-by-subject list with grades or marks
  • The English test score – For IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) – Updated with information about school and work
  • CDR (if needed) – CPD, 3 Career Episodes, and a Summary
  • Letters of recommendation for jobs – From current or past jobs, if relevant
  • Translations that have been certified – For papers that aren’t written in English

Tip: When you send files to the EA portal, make sure they are all in PDF format and can be read easily.


In Steps: How to Apply for a Qualification Assessment Abroad

To take the Engineers Australia Overseas Qualification Assessment, follow these steps:

Step 1: Pick a job

Based on the ANZSCO list, choose the engineering job that interests you, such as Civil Engineer (233211) or Mechanical Engineer (233512).

Step 2: Pick a way to do the assessment

You should check to see if your skill is recognized. If not, you should make a CDR record to send in.

Step 3: Sign up for an EA Portal account

Make an online account at https://ea.org.au, which is the Engineers Australia site.

Step 4: Put files online

Send in all the paperwork that is asked for, such as your degree, transcripts, CV, passport, photo, English test score, and (if relevant) CDR.

Step 5: Pay the fee to apply

Use a credit or debit card to pay the assessment fee. Fees for CDR-based applications are usually between AUD 550 and AUD 1000.

Step 6: Wait for Dealing with

It takes 8 to 12 weeks for EA to process the application. You can also pick the Fast Track Service to get assigned to an evaluator more quickly.


What Comes Next After You Apply?

After sending in your application:

  • Your status changes to “Assessment in Progress.”
  • An assessor will look over your documents.
  • The EA may ask you for more information if something isn’t clear.
  • If everything is okay, you’ll get a “Positive Outcome Letter.”
  • If problems are found, the EA may give you a “Negative Outcome Letter” with reasons.

How to Get a Good Score on Your Test

If you want to do better on the Engineers Australia Overseas Qualification Assessment, then read these tips:

  • Follow the EA’s rules – For the official Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) document, which was made by Engineers Australia, use it.
  • Send in clear, high-quality documents – Skip pictures that aren’t clear or of low quality. For papers that are not written in English, you should use certified translations.
  • Make a good CDR report – Make sure that your Career Episodes are unique and well-written if you’re applying through the CDR route.
  • Copy Other People’s Work – EA uses tools to find plagiarized work. If you copy text from online CDR examples, your application will be turned down.
  • Talk to an expert – For help getting your papers and CDR ready, use a professional service like cdrforea.com if you’re not sure.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

  • ▌ Sending in papers that aren’t complete
  • ▌ Ignoring the need for an English test result
  • ▌ Writing CDR episodes without going into technical details
  • ▌ You’re not properly connecting your Summary Statement to your Career Episodes
  • ▌ Not responding to EA’s request for more information

If you want your Engineers Australia Overseas Qualification Assessment to go well, don’t make these mistakes.


How Long Does It Take to Do the Test?

Standard processing takes 8–12 weeks. Fast track service assigns an assessor within 20 business days for an extra fee.


The Final Result of the Test

Engineers Australia will send you a positive assessment result if your qualification is recognized. This will show that your degree is equivalent to an Australian qualification.

Then, you can use this letter to:

  • Sign up for a skilled movement visa
  • Hunt for work in Australia
  • Try to become a professional accountant or continue your education

Questions That Are Often Asked

Q1: Is it necessary to take the foreign qualification test?

Yes, if your degree is from a school or country that isn’t recognized or a signatory one.

Q2: Can I apply even though I haven’t had a job before?

Yes. You can write Career Episodes based on schoolwork, but having work experience makes them stronger.

Q3: Is the IELTS Academic the only choice?

Not at all. Engineers Australia also takes the TOEFL iBT and the PTE Academic, but most people use the IELTS Academic.

Q4: What should I do if my evaluation is turned down?

You can ask for a review or reapply with better papers or a new CDR.

Q5: Can cdrforea.com help me with the test?

Of course! To help you pass the Engineers Australia Overseas Qualification Assessment, we can write your CDR, look over your documents, and help you with the whole application process.


Last Words

International engineers who want to move to or work in Australia must first pass the Engineers Australia Overseas Qualification Assessment. If the test goes well, skilled workers can move to Australia, their careers will grow, and they will have a great future.
You can get a good result and get closer to your Australian dream if you follow the right steps, get the right paperwork ready, and get professional help if you need it.

Do you need help with your application or CDR?
You can trust cdrforea.com to help you make sure that all of your paperwork for Engineers Australia is correct, of high quality, and completely original.