Stage 1 Competency Assessment Writing
Career episodes and summary statement writing for the Engineers Australia Stage 1 competency assessment, for migration (CDR) and for membership.
Stage 1 application writing
The cost of Stage 1 application writing or upgrade depends on the current state of your application, especially your career episodes, if you have any. There are 3 main packages for this type of application:
Silver Package
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3 Career Episodes
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Summary Statement
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CPD
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Completion within 4 weeks
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Gold Package
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3 Career Episodes
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Summary Statement
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CPD
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CV
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Unlimited Edits
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Completion within 2 weeks
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Platinum Package
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3 Career Episodes
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Summary Statement
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CPD
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CV
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Unlimited Edits
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Completion within 1 week
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Two technical writers working on your case
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Extra speedy communication
Stage 1 services
Stage 1 application writing for Engineers Australia migration and membership
Since 2009 we have prepared Stage 1 applications for Engineers Australia, both for the migration skills assessment (CDR) and for the membership competency assessment. Both involve writing 3 career episodes and a summary statement.
We write Stage 1 applications for Professional Engineers, Engineering Technologists and Engineering Associates, and CDRs for Engineering Managers.
If you don’t have enough experience for your career episodes, do ask us about our research services.
Plagiarism
Quite often we are asked about plagiarism and how we avoid plagiarism in our work. Here is the answer:
We use a sophisticated software in all our work that compares your CDR report to all other previously written CDRs and also to internet sources. We really care about plagiarism as we know that this is a major issue when submitting the application to Engineers Australia and other similar organisations.
Using our services guarantees that the application you receive from us is ready to submit and would be absolutely 100% plagiarism free.
Stage 1 requirements in 2026
Engineers Australia uses the Stage 1 competency standard in two assessments: the migration skills assessment through a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR), and the membership competency assessment for engineers whose qualification it does not recognise. Updated October 2026
- What you submit: three career episodes and a summary statement, plus a CPD list for the CDR, a detailed CV, your degree and transcripts, and English test results unless you are exempt.
- Career episodes: 1,000 to 2,500 words each. Together they must show all 16 elements of competency.
- English (tests taken from 7 August 2025): IELTS 6 in each band, or PTE Academic Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54. Tests must be less than 3 years old.
- Fees 2026-27 (including GST): CDR migration skills assessment AU$1,034, fast track AU$396 extra. Membership competency assessment AU$890.
- Timing: standard CDR applications take about 15 weeks to be assigned to an assessor, fast track within 20 business days. The membership competency assessment takes about four weeks.
- Occupational categories: Professional Engineer, Engineering Technologist and Engineering Associate. Engineering Manager is assessed for migration only and needs a Relevant Skilled Employment assessment.
- Coming change: the National Competency Standard for Engineering 2026 replaces Stage 1 with "Entry-to-Practice" (17 competency statements). Engineers Australia expects to use it for migration assessments from around mid-2027.
Official sources: Engineers Australia: migration skills assessment booklet (January 2026) · Engineers Australia: assessment fees · Engineers Australia: membership competency assessment · Engineers Australia: National Competency Standard 2026
How our Stage 1 writing works
Send us your CV. We check your eligibility and recommend the right occupational category within 24 hours.
You answer our questions about your projects and engineering work.
A technical writer from your engineering field writes your career episodes, summary statement and CPD.
You review every draft. Revisions are included until you approve the final version.
Stage 1 questions
What is the Stage 1 competency?
It is the Engineers Australia standard for what a newly qualified engineer must know and be able to do. Engineers Australia uses it for membership: engineers whose qualification it does not accredit or recognise must pass a Stage 1 competency assessment before they can join. It has 16 elements of competency in three groups: knowledge and skill base (6), engineering application ability (4) and professional and personal attributes (6). Engineers Australia: competency assessment for membership.
Is Stage 1 the same as a CDR?
The Stage 1 competency assessment is for membership with Engineers Australia. A CDR is for the migration skills assessment. Both follow the same Stage 1 standard and have the same parts: 3 career episodes, a summary statement and a CPD statement. The CPD statement is required for a CDR and optional for membership. Engineers Australia: migration skills assessment.
How long should a career episode be?
Engineers Australia says each career episode should be between 1,000 and 2,500 words. Engineers Australia guide to career episodes (PDF).
What changes in 2027?
In 2026 Engineers Australia approved a new National Competency Standard for Engineering (NCSE). It replaces the 2012 Stage 1 and Stage 2 standards with 10 practice domains and 17 competency statements. Migration skills assessments are expected to move to it progressively from mid-2027 (an indicative date). Until then, CDRs are assessed against the current Stage 1 standard and its 16 elements. Engineers Australia: National Competency Standard for Engineering.
Can my career episodes be about university projects?
Yes. Engineers Australia accepts career episodes based on a project from your studies, including a group project, as long as you explain your own contribution. Add your supervisor name and email, and the subject name and code. Career episodes can also be based on projects from your work. Engineers Australia guide to career episodes (PDF).
Related guides
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