If you are planning to work in Australia as a Civil Engineer, it is vital to get your engineering and construction qualifications recognized. Engineers Australia can accredit engineering qualifications to recognised standards internationally.
About Engineers Australia
Engineers Australia is the national body for all engineering disciplines, including electrical, civil, mechanical, and software engineering. The organisation comprises approximately 115,000 members and is the current Australian Government-approved authority to assess skills for engineers. They also provide services and support to their members, set ethical and professional standards, and advocate for the profession nationally.
Getting your qualifications accredited
An accredited qualification is when your engineering qualifications have been recognised by one of the accords from Engineers Australia. Engineers Australia evaluates the courses against the entry-to-practice competencies for the levels of a professional engineer, engineering technologist or an engineering associate. This includes diplomas and degrees in electrical, civil, aerospace, software, mechanical, chemical, and other engineering-related fields.
The specific qualifications that are eligible for accreditation will always depend on which country the qualification was awarded in and the recognition of the country’s engineering qualifications.
Click on the link here to check whether your qualifications are accredited.
Select the country where you obtained your qualification from the list, then select your relevant accord.
Accords
An accord is an official agreement of shared standards between international engineering institutions/organisations and Engineers Australia. These accords recognise the engineering qualifications and experience between the two countries. It provides a process and assists engineers in facilitating their professional registration or migration to Australia. Hence, it benefits engineers who have obtained their qualifications and seek recognition and work in Australia as an Engineer.
Engineers Australia has three accords with international engineering institutions and covers the three occupational categories. This includes:
- Washington Accord – Professional Engineer
- Sydney Accord – Engineering Technologist
- Dublin Accord – Engineering Associate
Washington Accord
The Washington Accord is an international agreement between engineering accreditation institutions recognising the equivalence of engineering degrees from participating countries.
Click the link below to see the countries involved in the Washington Accord.
Sydney Accord
The Sydney Accord is an agreement between accreditation bodies for engineering technology programs/courses. This recognises the equivalence of engineering technology-related degrees and focuses on recognising engineering technologists.
Click on the link below to see the countries involved in the Sydney Accord.
Dublin Accord
The Dublin Accord is an official agreement between accreditation bodies for engineering technician programs/courses. It recognises the substantial equivalence of engineering technician-related programs and focuses on recognising engineering technicians.
Click on the link below to see the countries involved in the Dublin Accord.
Global Engineering Talent (GET) Program
Overseas-born engineers can now overcome the barriers to employment under an Engineers Australia migrant work placement program funded by the Northern Territory and Queensland Government. The Global Engineering Talent (GET) Program will help 20 overseas-born engineers with a pathway to engineering employment in the Northern Territory and Queensland. A six-week preparatory course through Engineering Education Australia with engineering standards-specific training and a 12-week paid internship at an engineering firm will be included in the program.
Click here to read more about the engineering program in Northern Territory.
Click here to read more about the engineering program in Queensland.
Preparing for your credential check
Gathering the relevant documentation to prepare for the credential check with Engineers Australia is vital. Every accord has its specific criteria and requirements, so make sure to review them carefully before applying. You must provide original copies of your engineering education, academic transcripts, employment records, professional certifications, and other relevant qualifications.
Feel free to contact the institution if any questions or assistance are required when preparing for your credential check.
What if my qualifications are not Accord recognised
If your requirements do not meet an Accord status, it indicates that Engineers Australia could not determine that your credentials are accredited. You will need to complete a competency assessment if you have qualifications in Australia or overseas that need to be recognised by Engineers Australia. Also, if you have qualifications in engineering-related fields that are not recognised by the organisation but have post-graduate qualifications and substantial engineering-related experience. This competency assessment is known as an ‘Entry-to-Practice” assessment.
The competence will be assessed in these three key areas:
- Knowledge based – Whether you have the appropriate foundation knowledge in engineering
- Engineering ability – Whether you can apply your knowledge to problems/situations within your engineering category
- Professional attributes
You must create an account through the Engineers Australia member portal to apply. They will also ask for a scanned copy of photo identification (passport, birth certificate, driver’s license, etc.), so make sure to have this ready when applying.
Remember that fees apply when signing up for the competency assessment. Click the link below for a complete International Accords qualification assessment fee list.
Assessment Fees | Engineers Australia
Competency Assessment | Engineers Australia
Membership for Engineers Australia
Engineers Australia offers memberships where each membership is designed to recognise and support engineers at different stages of their careers. Moreover, it helps acknowledge their education, expertise, and work experience levels. Each membership category includes numerous benefits, including access to technical information and resources, networking events, professional progression opportunities, and the opportunity to give back to the engineering community.
Below is a list of the different types of memberships Engineers Australia has.
Student membership at Engineers Australia
The Student membership is free for any individual studying an engineering qualification. By joining, you will be able to build your engineering knowledge, and get the opportunity to network with qualified engineers. The qualifying courses are a two-year Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree in Engineering, a three-year Bachelor of Engineering Technology/Science, a four-year Bachelor of Engineering, a double-degree Bachelor plus Master in Engineering taken as a three-year, plus a two-year program or an integrated five-year program, or a Conversion Master of Engineering. You will get the chance to receive discounted conferences and information sessions, receive a discount on a wide range of goods and services, have access to a career centre with access to critical information in learning interview techniques, and receive regular news to keep you up to date with the engineering industry.
Graduate membership at Engineers Australia
This membership will support you in the shift from tertiary education to the working industry. It will provide you access to mentoring programs that offer you valuable industry insights, events to help you improve your technical skills, networking opportunities with influential engineers, a library of learning materials and resources such as videos, technical databases, and journals to build you knowledge, and opportunities to get involved in advocacy that will shape the profession for your future. This is an ideal way to get your new engineering career off to the best start for the next phase of your life. To apply, you will need a passport photo, driver’s license or a copy of your birth certificate as a primary piece of identification. Moreover, you will need a Letter of Completion or a degree certification if you haven’t yet received your academic transcript.
Member membership at Engineers Australia
Members are the median point of membership for fully qualified engineering professionals. To join Engineers Australia as a Member, you must have at least three years of postgraduate experience in the industry, have an accredited/recognised Australian tertiary qualification in engineering, or practice in either a professional engineer, engineering technologist or engineering associate professional category. If you don’t meet all the requirements listed, you must complete a competency assessment before Engineers Australia can approve the application. An assessor at Engineers Australia will contact you to explain the steps. You will gain an Associate Member, Technologist Member or Member, depending on your occupational category.
Fellow membership at Engineers Australia
Fellow membership is the highest-level membership offered by Engineers Australia. To become a Fellow member, you must significantly contribute to the engineering industry. This includes exceptional professional and technical competence, management and leadership skills, commitment to professional development and education, and significant contribution to the engineering industry and the community. You will get the chance to have recognition for your achievements, have increased visibility and credibility within the engineering industry and community, and have access to mentoring and support. Moreover, you will be allowed to take on leadership roles within the engineering community. However, you must have the permission of two current Fellow members to apply.
Affiliate and Companion membership at Engineers Australia
An Affiliate Membership is for individuals involved in architecture, construction, and science but does not hold an engineering qualification or degree. Affiliate members have access to the same benefits as other membership categories, including tools for professional development opportunities. To join, you must have a qualification in the related fields, be a member of a technical society, and have achieved a level of experience related to engineering and construction. A Companion Membership is for individuals that are not engineers but support the engineering industry. It provides access to networking and professional development opportunities and the ability to contribute to Engineers Australia events and activities. You must meet the requisites as an affiliate member to apply for a Companion member. However, you will need support from two current Engineers Australia Fellow members as additional support. Both the Affiliate and Companion memberships allow members to learn more about their professional industry and connect with others.
Chartered Engineer membership at Engineers Australia
The Chartered Engineering title is the benchmark for engineering professionalism in Australia. This level will enhance the opportunities for professional advancement and career prospects. You will also have access to various networking events, including the annual National Engineers Australia conference. Moreover, you will have access to various technical resources, such as research reports and journals. You must have at least five years of post-graduation engineering work experience, where three out of five years must be at a professional level. Also, you will be required to attend an interview to discuss your application and prove that you can demonstrate engineering knowledge. You can apply through a mutual recognition agreement if you hold a Chartered engineer status from your home country. However, you must provide evidence of a minimum of 150 hours of CPD over the last three years.
Click on the link below for more information regarding Engineers Australia memberships.
By being part of the Engineers Australia community, your qualifications in engineering will be acknowledged, and the opportunity to receive continuous support and development in advancing your career will be endless.
Last Updated: February 2023
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