It can be discouraging to receive feedback or comments from Engineers Australia (EA) after submitting a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) for either the Stage 1 Assessment or Migration Skills Assessment. However, it is not the end of the road. In most cases, addressing EA assessor comments correctly provides a clear opportunity to turn a near-rejection into a positive CDR assessment.
At CDRsample, we have helped hundreds of engineers successfully respond to EA assessor feedback, revise their Career Episodes, and secure approval from Engineers Australia. Let’s explore how to interpret and address these comments effectively, and how our professional consultants can guide you toward success.
Understanding EA Assessor Comments
EA assessors evaluate your CDR to determine if your engineering skills and competencies align with the standards of the Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) or Stage 1 booklet. When they leave comments, they are not rejecting your application outright but asking for clarifications or improvements.
According to Engineers Australia,
“Each competency element must be demonstrated clearly within your Career Episodes. Failure to provide sufficient detail may lead to requests for additional information.”
In other words, assessor comments usually point out gaps—such as missing technical details, unclear engineering tasks, or lack of personal contribution. Recognising what the assessor wants is the first step in addressing EA assessor comments effectively.
Common EA Assessor Comments
Based on CDRsample.com’s experience, assessors’ feedback often highlights the following issues:
- Insufficient technical depth: The Career Episodes may describe general project work but lack detailed engineering analysis or calculations.
- Not meeting the ANZSCO code description: If the details of the Career Episodes do not meet the ANZSCO code requirements, the EA assessor will request that the Career Episodes be updated according to the chosen ANZSCO code.
- Overuse of team-based language: The CDR should emphasise your individual role, not the team’s achievements.
- Plagiarism or template-like writing: EA uses plagiarism detection tools, and copied or AI-generated content can trigger a request for rewriting.
- Poor formatting: EA expects clear, concise writing in professional English, following the MSA structure.
- Missing engineering competencies: Each Career Episode should demonstrate your ability to apply engineering tools, processes, and techniques relevant to your field.
- Insufficient engineering evidence: Each Career Episode should present sufficient engineering evidence, such as drawings, calculations, tables, charts, photos, simulation results, etc
When such issues appear, EA assessors may invite you to provide clarifications or resubmit one or more Career Episodes.
How to Respond to EA Assessor Feedback
Receiving assessor comments means you have a second chance to improve your CDR submission. Here’s how to approach it strategically:
- Read the comments carefully: Identify which specific elements of your CDR need clarification or rewriting.
- Compare your Career Episodes with the MSA competency elements: Ensure that each indicator is addressed.
- Add missing technical/engineering evidence: Include calculations, problem-solving details, design specifications, or project outcomes.
- Show personal contribution: Rewrite sentences to focus on “I did,” “I implemented,” and “I resolved” rather than “we did.”
- Seek expert guidance: Professionals at CDRsample can help you interpret assessor comments and revise your CDR according to EA’s standards.
As Engineers Australia explains,
“Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the information provided is complete, accurate, and sufficiently detailed to demonstrate all required competencies.”
This highlights the importance of addressing comments thoroughly and professionally.
How CDRsample Ensures Positive Results
At CDRsample.com, we specialise in addressing EA assessor comments and transforming feedback into approval. Our consultation process includes:
- Comprehensive Assessment Review: We examine the assessor’s feedback line by line to identify weak areas in your CDR.
- Ensuring alignment with the chosen ANZSCO code: Our technical team will review the details of your Career Episodes and make the necessary adjustments to ensure they are aligned with your ANZSCO code.
- Targeted Career Episode Rewriting: Our engineering writers rewrite sections that need improvement—adding more technical content and ensuring compliance with EA standards.
- Plagiarism and Grammar Checks: Every revised document passes through plagiarism detection and professional editing tools to ensure originality and clarity.
- Competency Mapping: We align each paragraph of your CDR with the 16 elements of competency required by Engineers Australia.
- Final Quality Review: Before submission, we perform a thorough check to ensure all assessor comments are addressed.
Through this process, many clients who initially received “comments for clarification” or “rejection due to insufficient information” have gone on to receive positive skill assessments.
Why You Should Act Promptly
EA provides a limited timeframe for submitting a revised CDR or clarification. Delaying your response can lead to a final rejection. Working with experienced consultants like CDRsample.com ensures your revision is handled quickly, accurately, and professionally.
As Engineers Australia notes,
“Incomplete or unclear submissions will delay the assessment process and may result in an unfavourable outcome.”
By responding promptly and effectively, you can turn your feedback into a strong, approved application.
Final Tips for Success
To ensure a positive CDR assessment after receiving assessor comments:
- Always address every single comment—no detail is too small.
- Provide evidence-based explanations for your engineering decisions.
- Maintain consistent formatting and structure across your Career Episodes.
- Let professionals review your documents before resubmission.
Conclusion
Receiving EA assessor comments isn’t the end; it’s an opportunity for improvement. With expert help from CDRsample.com, you can confidently address assessor feedback, rewrite your Career Episodes, and achieve a positive outcome from Engineers Australia.
Whether your CDR was partially accepted or returned for clarification, our experienced engineers and writers will ensure your final submission meets every requirement outlined in the Migration Skills Assessment booklet.
If you’ve received comments or need assistance with your CDR revision, contact CDRsample.com today and take the next step toward your Australian engineering career.
