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?
Stage 1 is the Engineers Australia standard for an engineer at entry to practice. You show it through three career episodes and a summary statement that cover the 16 elements of competency.
Is Stage 1 the same as a CDR?
They use the same standard. A CDR is the Stage 1 application for the migration skills assessment. The membership competency assessment asks for the same career episodes and summary statement when Engineers Australia does not recognise your qualification.
How long should a career episode be?
Engineers Australia asks for 1,000 to 2,500 words per career episode.
What changes in 2027?
Engineers Australia released a new National Competency Standard in 2026. It replaces Stage 1 with Entry-to-Practice and 17 competency statements, with migration assessments expected to move to it from around mid-2027. Until then the current 16 elements apply.
How much does Stage 1 writing cost?
Silver is AU$395 (within 4 weeks), Gold is AU$595 (within 2 weeks, with CV and unlimited edits) and Platinum is AU$745 (within 1 week).
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