If you are a Chemical Engineer and looking to apply to Engineers Australia (EA) for membership or skills assessment for migration purposes, writing a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) is usually a mandatory requirement. The CDR comprises three Career Episodes, a Summary Statement and CPD, plus other documents you will need to provide. Generally, you would need to prepare the Career Episodes before writing the Summary Statement.
To write the Career Episodes for a Chemical Engineer, you need to follow a specific structure and include relevant information to demonstrate your engineering competencies. This article serves as a guide to help you write your CDR Career Episodes for a Chemical Engineer.
Selecting Projects for the Career Episodes
Understanding how to write career episodes for chemical engineers begins with selecting the right projects. Engineers Australia requires candidates to submit three career episodes that describe specific instances where they applied engineering knowledge and skills in real-world settings.
Your projects should:
- Reflect your individual contribution, not team efforts
- Involve complex engineering tasks, analysis, design, and problem-solving
- Be aligned with the Stage 1 Competency Standards for Professional Engineers
- Be verifiable with supporting documents such as references or project reports
Engineers Australia states:
“The Career Episodes should focus on your role and describe the application of engineering knowledge and skills in the nominated occupation.”
Choose projects where your technical decisions made a direct impact—such as optimizing a chemical process, designing equipment, or improving plant safety. Avoid purely academic assignments unless they involved substantial engineering applications.
ANZSCO Code Description: Chemical Engineer (233111)
The ANZSCO code 233111 refers to Chemical Engineers, professionals who design and develop chemical processes to convert raw materials into useful products. This includes areas such as process engineering, plant safety, energy management, and environmental sustainability.
Key responsibilities under this code include:
- Designing chemical plant systems
- Developing safety procedures for hazardous operations
- Conducting research into the development of new processes
- Monitoring and improving existing processes
- Ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations
When preparing your Career Episodes, the content must align with the responsibilities of a Chemical Engineer under ANZSCO 233111. Any mismatch in job function can lead to rejection.
As Engineers Australia outlines:
“Each Career Episode must be relevant to the nominated occupation as per the ANZSCO code.”
Examples of Projects for Chemical Engineer Career Episodes
Below are 15 project examples suitable for writing career episodes for chemical engineers:
- Design and Commissioning of a Bioethanol Production Plant
- Energy Efficiency Optimization in a Petrochemical Refinery
- Installation of Heat Exchangers in a Natural Gas Processing Plant
- Simulation of a Distillation Column Using Aspen HYSYS
- Process Hazard Analysis for Ammonia Synthesis Unit
- Development of a Solvent Recovery System for VOC Emissions
- Design of a Chemical Reactor for Polymer Synthesis
- Modification of a Crystallization Unit to Improve Yield
- Safety Audit and Implementation of HAZOP Recommendations
- Wastewater Treatment Process Design for a Pharmaceutical Plant
- Design of a Fire Protection System for a Chemical Storage Facility
- Pilot Plant Design for CO2 Capture Using Amine Solutions
- Improving Heat Integration Across Process Units
- Implementing ISO 14001 Environmental Management System
- Technical Evaluation and Procurement of Process Control Valves
These projects allow you to demonstrate a broad range of competencies, from design and safety to sustainability and innovation.
Also read: Choosing the Right Engineering Projects for Your Career Episodes
Knowledge and Competency Demonstration
When writing each Career Episode, your goal is to show that you meet the 16 competency elements defined by Engineers Australia. This includes areas like:
- PE1.3: In-depth understanding of engineering fundamentals
- PE2.2: Fluent application of engineering techniques and tools
- PE3.4: Professional use and management of information
You must clearly demonstrate how your work meets these competencies. For example:
- “I used process simulation tools such as Aspen Plus to model the heat exchanger network, which resulted in a 22% reduction in utility consumption.” (PE2.2)
- “I identified a bottleneck in the distillation process and proposed modifications that increased throughput by 15%.” (PE1.6)
According to Engineers Australia:
“Each Career Episode must clearly demonstrate the application of engineering knowledge and competencies relevant to the nominated occupation.”
You should also reference engineering codes and standards, calculations, troubleshooting, and outcomes that reflect sound engineering judgment.
Writing Tips for Career Episodes for Chemical Engineers
- Follow the Approved Structure
Each Career Episode must include the following sections:
- Introduction (approx. 150 words): Includes dates, project title, your role, and location
- Background (200–500 words): Describes the context of the project and your job responsibilities
- Personal Engineering Activity (600–1,800 words): The core of the episode—focuses on what you did and how you did it
- Summary (50–150 words): Reflects on the outcome and your learnings
- Write in the First Person
Your Career Episodes must use the first person singular—“I” statements. Engineers Australia insists on this to clarify your role and contributions.
✅ “I conducted a material balance to optimize solvent usage.”
❌ “The team improved the material balance.”
- Avoid Technical Jargon Without Explanation
Chemical engineering involves complex terminology. Be specific, but also ensure clarity. Use visual aids like P&IDs, block diagrams, or simulation screenshots when possible (as appendices).
- Emphasize Problem Solving and Innovation
Don’t just list tasks—explain the challenges you faced and how you solved them. Examples:
- “The reactor suffered from fouling; I initiated a redesign using CFD simulations to modify flow distribution.”
- “I proposed the use of renewable feedstock, reducing carbon emissions by 30%.”
- Maintain Ethical and Professional Standards
Include references to safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Mention relevant standards like:
- ISO 9001 (Quality Management)
- ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
- ASME, API, or other regional standards
According to Engineers Australia:
“Engineers must demonstrate not only technical proficiency but also commitment to ethical, safe, and sustainable practices.”
Final Thoughts
Writing excellent Career Episodes requires more than documenting your job description—it involves reflecting on your engineering thinking, technical execution, and professional growth. If you want to succeed in your Engineers Australia migration assessment, learning how to write career episodes for chemical engineers is a must.
Follow the structure. Focus on what you did, how you added value, and how it aligns with chemical engineering responsibilities under ANZSCO 233111. Highlight your problem-solving, technical decisions, and positive outcomes.
Make sure each Career Episode paints a clear, technically-rich, and honest portrait of your professional journey as a Chemical Engineer. If you’re still unsure where to start, professional CDR writing services like ours at CDRSample.com can offer expert guidance.
