Do I need to provide English Language Test Result for Engineers Australia's Skills Assessment?

All applicants applying to have their skills assessed by Engineers Australia are required to proof they have competent English unless they are eligible for an exemption.

What types of English Language Test will be accepted by the Engineers Australia for my Skills Assessment?

Engineers Australia accepts test results from: IELTS (General or Academic version) TOEFL iBT PTE Academic of no more than 3 years from the test date (not the test report issue date) at the time your Skills Assessment application is submitted.

What are the minimum English test scores required by Engineers Australia for my Skills Assessment?

Test Score International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training) At least 6 for each of the 4 components Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) At least 50 for each of the 4 components

Who is exempted to provide the English test results by Engineers Australia?

Engineers Australia will grant an exemption to applicant for Skills Assessment who is a citizen of and holds a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland. The following applicants may be exempted from the requirement to provide an English language test: • Applicants who have completed an Australian undergraduate engineering qualification or a two year Master degree (92 weeks full time) or PhD program at an Australian university. Documentary evidence of successful completion of the Australian qualification is required for exemption on this basis.

How to Migrate to Australia as a Transport Engineer

Q: What are the available visa options for qualified Electrical Engineers to migrate to Australia?

189 Skilled Independent Visa 190 Skilled Nominated Visa 491 Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa 482 Temporary Skill Shortage - Medium Term Stream 186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa 407 Training Visa 485 Temporary Graduate

Electrical Engineer Skill Assessment & Visas for Australia

In this article, we will explain the general process of how an Electrical Engineer can migrate to Australia, and the requirements for Electrical Engineer Skill Assessment.

Australia welcomes qualified Electrical Engineers to migrate to Australia as the electrical engineers play a critical role in various sectors of the Australian economy such as manufacturing, building services, construction, energy (including green energy), transport, mining & resources. Electrical Engineer (ANZSCO code: 233311) is currently on the Medium & Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), with access to the broad range of Australian immigration visa programs.

electronic engineer skill assessment

Electrical Engineer occupation is in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) field and it is currently on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL). This means the Australian Government considers Electrical Engineer as one of the critical occupations instrumental to rebuild the Australian economy following the economic damaged caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the processing of the nomination and visa application for Electrical Engineer will be given the highest priority. In other words, if you are a Electrical Engineer and have an intention to migrate to Australia and develop your career in Australia, delay no more as right now is the perfect time to get your planning started! Electrical engineer visa can obtain travel restriction exemption to travel to Australia from an overseas location.

Australian Visa Options for Qualified Electrical Engineers

Electrical Engineers may apply to work and/or to obtain permanent residency in Australia through one of the following visas:

189 Skilled Independent Visa
190 Skilled Nominated Visa
491 Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa
482 Temporary Skill Shortage – Medium Term Stream
186 Employer Nomination Scheme Visa
494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
407 Training Visa
485 Temporary Graduate

For Electrical Engineers, the most practical choices in the General Skilled Migration program are subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa and subclass 491 Skilled Regional (provisional) visa. The typical process in chronological order involves:

Seeking professional migration advice about your eligibility for Australian visa and associated action plan
Obtaining a satisfactory English test result to support your visa application
Obtaining a positive Skills Assessment outcome for your nominated occupation
Submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect
Securing a State Nomination through a Registration of Interest (ROI) and a solid application for the state nomination
Once state nomination has been approved, submitting your visa application as soon as possible within 60 days

If you are interested in seeking migration through employment and aiming to apply for subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa or 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa, the process will be different to the general skilled migration above. Before you can apply for the visa, we must ensure the employer is an approved sponsor prior to them submitting the nomination application for you. For the 482 visa, the employer will also need to go through the labour market testing before they can nominate an overseas worker. It may sound complicated, but rest assured our experienced team at Ausdirect Migration will be able to provide you all the assistance and guidance you need along the way.

Electrical Engineer PR Points in Australia 2021

For skilled migration, Electrical Engineers must meet the minimum points requirement set by the Federal Government in legislative instrument Migration (LIN 19/210: Pool and Pass Marks for General Skilled Migration Visas) Instrument 2019 are as below:

Subclass 189 (Skilled—Independent) visa : 65 points
Subclass 190 (Skilled—Nominated) visa : 65 points
Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) visa : 65 points

The points include any point allocated through State Nomination and Family Sponsorship. However meeting the minimum points requirement may not be enough to apply for a skilled visa and an successful visa application also depends on the applicant satisfying a range of other criteria such as skills assessment, state nomination, character and medical examinations.

Electrical Engineer Skill Assessment (ANZSCO code: 233311)

In order to apply for a permanent residency visa or provisional skilled visas through general skilled migration program, you need to obtain a skills assessment. For electrical engineers, skills assessment can be organised through Engineers Australia (EA).

Electrical engineers develop, design and manage new or existing electrical systems to help power various industries and homes. They are problem-solvers who study and apply the physics and mathematics of electricity, electromagnetism and electronics to both large- and small-scale systems to process information and transmit energy safely and efficiently.

For the ANZSCO job definition and description, please read ANZSCO 233311 ELECTRICAL ENGINEER.

There are 6 different assessment pathways for Engineers Australia Skills Assessment:

Accredited Qualifications
1. Australian Qualification Pathway
2. Washington Accord Pathway
3. Sydney Accord Pathway
4. Dublin Accord Pathway
5. Other Recognised Qualifications – Applies to the holders of a French Diplômed’Ingénieur completed in or after 1970 and listed in the Journal Officiel de la République in the list of institutions habilitated to deliver the title of Engineer for the year of completion

Non-Accredited Qualifications/Engineering Managers
1. Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) Pathway

The exact assessment pathway to choose depends on the country in which you obtained your engineering qualification. You may find out more about your qualification by selecting the relevant country in the list of this website: https://www.ieagreements.org/. If your qualification is either Not Accredited or from a non-Accord listed country, worry not, you might be able to apply for the Skills Assessment under the Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) Pathway, although this pathway involves more work and time to prepare for your assessment application.

Supporting Documents to apply for a skills assessment varies depending on your chosen pathway, however, the following are some of the common documents required by Engineers Australia:

Passport-Style Photograph
Prime Identification Document (e.g.: Passport and/or Birth Certificate)
Name Change Document (if you ever been known by or used any other name(s). Other name(s) include alternative spellings, patronymic name, maiden names, clan or tribal names)
CV/Résumé
Evidence of English Language Competency (Engineers Australia accepts General or Academic version of IELTS test results, TOEFL iBT & PTE Academic Test. Australian-qualified engineering graduate or if you hold accredited qualifications from signatory countries where the official language is English is usually exempted. More info: Kindly refer to MSA Booklet.)
Education Qualifications (including academic transcript and award certificate/completion letter for Australian / International qualifications)
Evidence of Registration (if registration or licensing is mandatory in the country you are currently practising)

Based on the supporting documents you provided, the EA will assess if your educational qualification and/or work experience are at a recognised level and closely related to Electrical Engineer.

Once you have your skills assessment is completed, EA will issue you an Assessment Outcome Letter. If it is a positive outcome, you may then submit your SkillSelect (EOI) and/or commencing the relevant processes to be considered for State Nomination.

Contact Ausdirect Migration today to discuss your eligibility for the Skills Assessment, as this is one of the most important steps of your immigration journey.

Skills assessment for other Engineering Skilled Occupations assessed by Engineers Australia (EA)

Besides Electrical Engineer (233311), EA is also the assessing authority for other skilled occupations’ skills assessments. The list is as follows:

The occupations with * sign next to them, including Electrical Engineer, are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

The occupations with ** sign next to them are on the Regional Occupation List (ROL).

English requirement for Electrical Engineer

Another important task is to sit an English exam. The minimum English requirement for applying for general skilled migration is “Competent” level. You will need to provide evidence to prove that in the 3 years before being invited to apply for the visa, you have obtained satisfying scores on one of the following test:

Test	Score
International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic or General Training)	At least 6 for each of the 4 components
Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)	At least 12 for listening, 13 for reading, 21 for writing and 18 for speaking
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)	At least 50 for each of the 4 components
Occupational English Test (OET)	At least B for each of the 4 components
Cambridge C1 Advanced test	At least 169 in each of the 4 components

If you hold a valid passport from the following countries, you will be deemed as having competent English and you will not need to take an English exam. The countries are the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, and Republic of Ireland.

Competent English is the minimum threshold for applying general skilled visas. If you can score higher grade, you will receive more points when lodging your Expression of Interest (EOI). If you are at proficient level, you will receive 10 points. If you are at superior level, you will receive 20 points. For work visas, please find the English requirements in the definition of 186 ENS visa, 482 TSS visa and 494 SESR visas directly.

Although the Department of Home Affairs accepts Occupational English Test (OET) & Cambridge C1 Advances Test, please be advised that the Engineers Australia does not accept these two English tests for your engineering Skills Assessment.

190 Visa State Nomination for Electrical Engineer

1. Which Australian states are nominating Electrical Engineer for Subclass 190 visa for the 2021-2022 financial year?
  - Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
  - New South Wales (NSW)
  - Northern Territory (NT)
  - South Australia (SA)
  - Tasmania (TAS)
  - Victoria (VIC) – Only if you are able to demonstrate employment in a Victorian target sector
  - Western Australia (WA)
2. Do I need to have a job as an Electrical Engineer to be nominated for Subclass 190 visa?
  - - Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – Yes, but your job can be in any position.
      - For Canberra Resident: Must be in paid employment or self-employment in Canberra for at least 6 months. Your employment can be in any occupation. However, if you are working in a highly skilled position (including Electrical Engineer), you may be ranked higher in the Canberra Matrix.
      - For Overseas-based Applicant: The ACT migration program is closed for overseas resident in the 2021-2022 program year.
    - New South Wales (NSW) – No, it’s optional.
      - To be considered for 190 visa NSW state nomination: You either have to be working in NSW as Electrical Engineer, or in a closely related occupation (closely related means that the occupation shares the first four digits of the ANZSCO code) or have genuinely and continuously resided in NSW for the past 3 months.
    - Northern Territory (NT) – Yes, it’s mandatory, unless you are NT Graduates.
      - For NT Resident: Yes, it’s mandatory. You must have at least 2 consecutive years of full-time employment in the NT as an Electrical Engineer or in an occupation related to Electrical Engineer. Furthermore, your employment must be available for at least another 12 months.
      - For NT Graduate: No, it’s not mandatory. However, you must demonstrate good employment prospects in the NT as an Electrical Engineer or in closely related skilled occupation. Please refer here for what evidence(s) you may provide to show you have good employment prospects in the NT.
      - For Overseas-based Applicant: The NT migration program remained closed for offshore applications while the Australian border is still closed.
  - - South Australia (SA) – Yes, it’s mandatory, unless eligible to apply through the Talent and Innovators Program or living and working in outer regional South Australia and eligible for exemption.
      - For SA Resident: Currently working as Electrical Engineer or in a closely related occupation for the last 18 months in Greater Adelaide or the last 12 months in outer regional South Australia. Occupations assessed by Engineers Australia are closely related occupation. Exemptions are available for applicants living and working in outer regional South Australia.
      - For SA Graduate Pathway Applicant: Currently working as Electrical Engineer or in a closely related occupation for the last 12 months in Greater Adelaide or the last 6 months in outer regional South Australia. Occupations assessed by Engineers Australia are closely related occupation.
      - For Overseas-based Applicant: Currently unavailable to apply from overseas (offshore).
  - - Tasmania (TAS) – Yes, it’s mandatory, except for Tasmania graduate applicant.
      - For TAS Resident: Must have been working as an Electrical Engineer for 6 months before applying for state nomination.
      - For TAS Graduate Applicant : If not currently working in skilled employment, you must provide a career plan that explains how your studies have increased your ability to find skilled work in Tasmania.
      - For Overseas-based Applicant: Currently unavailable to apply from overseas (offshore).
  - - Victoria (VIC) – Yes, it’s mandatory.
      - For VIC Resident: Must be currently working in a Victorian target sector using your STEMM skills when applying for state nomination.
      - For Overseas-based Applicant: Currently unavailable to apply from overseas (offshore).
  - - Western Australia (WA) – Yes, it’s mandatory.
      - For General Stream: Must be currently working full time or has a full-time job offer in Electrical Engineer position or in a closely related occupation. Closely related means that the occupation shares the first four digits of the ANZSCO code. You must also provide a copy of full-time employment contract with at least 12 months remaining on your contract at the time you apply for WA State nomination.
      - For Graduate Stream: Must be currently working full time or has a full-time job offer in Electrical Engineer position or in a closely related occupation. Closely related means that the occupation shares the first four digits of the ANZSCO code. You must also provide a copy of full-time employment contract with at least 6 months remaining on your contract at the time you apply for WA State nomination.

491 Visa State Nomination for Electrical Engineer

1. Which Australian states are nominating Electrical Engineer for a Subclass 491 visa for the 2021-2022 financial year?
  - Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
  - New South Wales (NSW)
  - Northern Territory (NT)
  - South Australia (SA)
  - Tasmania (TAS)
  - Victoria (VIC) – Only if you are able to demonstrate employment in a Victorian target sector
  - Western Australia (WA)
2. Do I need to have a job as an Electrical Engineer to be nominated for Subclass 491 visa?

- - Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – Yes, but your job can be in any position.
    - For Canberra Resident: Must be in paid employment or self-employment in Canberra for the last 3 months. Your employment can be in any occupation. However, if you are working in a highly skilled position (including Electrical Engineer), you may be ranked higher in the Canberra Matrix.
    - For Overseas-based Applicant: The ACT migration program is closed for overseas resident in the 2021-2022 program year.

- - New South Wales (NSW) – Mandatory for Stream 1.
    - Stream 1 – Living & Working in Regional NSW: Yes, it’s mandatory. You must have been working as an Electrical Engineer, or in a closely related occupation (closely related means that the occupation shares the first four digits of the ANZSCO code), in a designated regional area of NSW, for at least the previous 12 months.
    - Stream 2 – Recently Completed Study in Regional NSW: No, it’s not mandatory.
    - Stream 3 – Occupation is Required in Regional NSW: No, it’s not mandatory.

- - Northern Territory (NT) – Yes, it’s mandatory, unless you are NT Graduates.
    - For NT Resident – who started living in the NT before 1 July 2020: Yes, it’s mandatory. You must have at least 6 consecutive months of full-time employment in the NT as an Electrical Engineer or in an occupation related to Electrical Engineer. Furthermore, your employment must be available for at least another 12 months.
    - For NT Resident – who started living in the NT on or after 1 July 2020: Yes, it’s mandatory. You must have at least 12 consecutive months of full-time employment in the NT as an Electrical Engineer or in an occupation related to Electrical Engineer. Furthermore, your employment must be available for at least another 12 months.
    - For NT Graduate: No, it’s not mandatory. However, you must demonstrate good employment prospects in the NT as an Electrical Engineer or in a closely related skilled occupation. Please refer here for what evidence(s) you may provide to show you have good employment prospects in the NT.
    - For Overseas-based Applicant: The NT migration program remained closed for offshore applications while the Australian border is still closed.

- - South Australia (SA) – Yes, it’s mandatory, unless eligible to apply through the Talent and Innovators Program or living and working in outer regional South Australia and eligible for exemption
    - For SA Resident: Currently working as Electrical Engineer or in a closely related occupation for the last 6 months in South Australia. Occupations assessed by Engineers Australia are closely related occupation. Exemptions are available for applicants living and working in outer regional South Australia.
    - For SA Graduate Pathway Applicant: Currently working as Electrical Engineer or in a closely related occupation for the last 3 months in South Australia. Occupations assessed by Engineers Australia are closely related occupation.
    - For Overseas-based Applicant: Have at least 8 years of work experience as an Electrical Engineer or in a closely related occupation.

- - Tasmania (TAS) – Yes, it’s mandatory, except for Tasmania graduate applicants or has a family member in Tasmania
    - For TAS Resident: Must have been working as an Electrical Engineer for 3 months before applying for state nomination.
    - For TAS Graduate Applicant: If not currently working in skilled employment, you must provide a career plan that explains how your studies have increased your ability to find skilled work in Tasmania.
    - For Overseas-based Applicant: Must possess at least 5 years post qualification experience or have an Electrical Engineer formal job offer that is based in Tasmania.
    - Have Family in Tasmania: No, it’s not mandatory if you have a parent, brother, sister, child, aunt, uncle or grandparent who has been an Australian Permanent Resident or an Australian Citizen for a tr least 12 months and is currently residing in Tasmania and has been residing in Tasmania for at least 12 months.
    - Small Business Owner: You have established and operated a business solely owned by you in Tasmania for at least 6 months.

- - Victoria (VIC) – Yes, it’s mandatory.
    - For VIC Resident: Must be currently working in regional Victoria in a Victorian target sector using your STEMM skills when applying for state nomination.
    - For Overseas-based Applicant: Currently unavailable to apply from overseas (offshore).

- - Western Australia (WA) – Yes, it’s mandatory.
    - For General Stream: Must be currently working full time or has a full-time job offer in Electrical Engineer position or in a closely related occupation. Closely related means that the occupation shares the first four digits of the ANZSCO code. You must also provide a copy of full-time employment contract with at least 12 months remaining on your contract at the time you apply for WA State nomination.
    - For Graduate Stream: Must be currently working full time or has a full-time job offer in Electrical Engineer position or in a closely related occupation. Closely related means that the occupation shares the first four digits of the ANZSCO code. You must also provide a copy of full-time employment contract with at least 6 months remaining on your contract at the time you apply for WA State nomination.

Prospects of Being an Electrical Engineer in Australia

Electrical engineer is in high demand with very strong future growth prospect in Australia. Electrical engineers work across every location of Australia. They are mostly full-time workers and average working hour per week is 44 hours. According to a survey conducted by Glassdoor, the average salary for Electrical engineer per year is $85,000 in Australia. Entry level positions start at a lower salary and will increase as one becomes more experienced.

Popular Job Search Platforms in Australia

Are you looking for job opportunities in Australia as an Electrical engineer? Here are some popular job search platforms that could potentially help you securing a job

Ausdirect Migration for Electrical Engineer

Our team at Ausdirect Migration is extremely experienced in managing migration programs in relation to Electrical Engineering occupation. Our practice has provided top-quality migration services to many engineering professionals globally and also engineering employers in Australia. We look forward to hearing from you and the opportunity to work with you along your immigration journey to Australia. We are confident to say our team has the best understanding and experience in the engineering sector and the associated immigration programs in Australia.

Contact Ausdirect Migration today to tailor the best suitable option(s) for your migration, and we will assist you in navigating every step of the process during the journey.