The process of skilled professional migration to Australia requires multiple essential steps. The first requirement of the process requires prospective migrants to obtain a positive skills assessment.
Engineers and ICT professionals follow different assessing authorities for migration skills assessment. Engineers are assessed by Engineers Australia (EA), while ICT professionals are assessed by the Australian Computer Society (ACS). Depending on qualifications and experience, applicants may need to submit a CDR (for engineers) or an RPL report (for ICT professionals).
The success of your migration application depends on your ability to recognise which report needs to be submitted based on your specific profile. This guide is based on publicly available guidelines issued by Engineers Australia (EA), the Australian Computer Society (ACS), and the Department of Home Affairs.
What Is a CDR Report?
Engineers applying for migration may need to submit a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) if their qualifications are not accredited under the Washington, Sydney, or Dublin Accord agreements. The CDR document serves as a complete record that allows you to display your engineering skills and your professional capabilities to Engineers Australia (EA).
A typical CDR includes:
- Three Career Episodes: These describe your engineering projects or work experience in detail.
- Summary Statement: A cross-reference of your career episodes with the competency elements specified by Engineers Australia.
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD): A record of your professional development activities.
Engineers who lack Australian qualifications can use the CDR report to demonstrate their compliance with required engineering standards. The CDR report requires detailed project descriptions and technical explanations, which directs most applicants to hire professional CDR writing services that assist them in meeting EA’s strict requirements for their reports.
What Is an RPL Report?
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a skills assessment pathway offered by the Australian Computer Society (ACS). It is designed for ICT professionals who do not hold an ICT-related qualification or whose qualification is not closely related to their nominated occupation.
The RPL pathway allows experienced ICT professionals to demonstrate that their knowledge and skills are equivalent to Australian standards through practical work experience.
An RPL application typically includes:
- Key Areas of Knowledge: Demonstrating your understanding of core ICT knowledge areas.
- Two Project Reports: Detailed descriptions of ICT projects you have worked on, highlighting your skills and competencies.
Unlike the CDR pathway (which applies to engineers through Engineers Australia), the RPL pathway is specifically for ICT occupations assessed by ACS. RPL writing services assist ICT professionals in structuring their work experience according to Australian Computer Society (ACS) assessment guidelines, helping ensure their application aligns with ACS requirements.
Which Assessing Authority Applies to You?
- Engineers Australia (EA) → Engineering occupations (ANZSCO codes under engineering fields)
- Australian Computer Society (ACS) → ICT occupations
- Each occupation has a designated assessing authority listed in the Skilled Occupation List
Always verify your assessing authority on the official Home Affairs website before preparing your report.
CDR vs RPL: Key Differences
The RPL and CDR pathways serve different professions and are assessed by different authorities. The RPL focuses on demonstrating ICT knowledge and project experience, while the CDR evaluates engineering competencies against Engineers Australia standards.
To determine which report you need, it’s important to understand the core differences between CDR and RPL:
| Aspect | CDR | RPL |
| Eligibility | Suitable for engineers with non-recognised degrees or recent graduates | For ICT professionals without a relevant ICT qualification or with a qualification not closely related to their nominated ICT occupation |
| Content | Career episodes, CPD, summary statement | Key knowledge areas, career episodes highlighting experience |
| Focus | Academic qualifications + professional experience | Work experience and practical competencies |
| Complexity | More detailed, technical, and structured | Focused on skills and learning from experience |
| Best for | Engineering graduates or diploma holders | Experienced professionals without formal engineering degrees |
CDR vs RPL: Assessment Cost Comparison
While fees may change periodically, below is a general cost comparison to help you plan your migration budget:
| Assessment Type | Assessing Authority | Approximate Fee (AUD) |
| CDR Assessment | Engineers Australia | AUD $400 – $1,000+ (depending on pathway) |
| RPL Assessment | Australian Computer Society | AUD $500 – $600+ |
*Fees are indicative and subject to change. Please refer to official websites.
How to Decide Between CDR and RPL?
Choosing between CDR and RPL depends on your nominated occupation, qualification, and assessing authority.
Start with these simple questions:
What Is Your Occupation?
- Engineering occupation (ANZSCO under engineering) → Assessed by Engineers Australia (EA)
- ICT occupation → Assessed by Australian Computer Society (ACS)
What Is Your Qualification Status?
If you are an engineer:
- Degree accredited under Washington/Sydney/Dublin Accord → CDR usually not required
- Degree not accredited → CDR required
If you are an ICT professional:
- Relevant ICT qualification closely related to your occupation → Standard ACS assessment
- No relevant ICT qualification → RPL required
Quick Rule
- Engineering occupation → CDR (if qualification not accredited)
- ICT occupation → RPL (if no relevant ICT degree)
- CDR and RPL do not replace each other
Always confirm your assessing authority and requirements on the official EA or ACS guidelines before preparing your application.
Who Should Opt for CDR?
The CDR pathway is suitable for engineers whose qualifications are not accredited under the Washington, Sydney, or Dublin Accord agreements and who need to demonstrate their competencies to Engineers Australia.
The CDR report allows you to demonstrate your engineering competence through well-documented career episodes, showcasing your problem-solving skills, project management abilities, and professional knowledge.
Who Should Opt for RPL?
You should choose the RPL pathway if you are an ICT professional applying through ACS and do not hold a relevant ICT qualification, but have substantial work experience in your nominated occupation. The RPL pathway allows you to demonstrate your ICT knowledge and professional skills through documented project work and technical explanations.
Tips for a Successful Skills Assessment
- Understand EA Guidelines: Read the Engineers Australia migration skills assessment booklet carefully.
- Provide Accurate Information: Ensure your career episodes and projects are detailed, factual, and verifiable.
- Hire Professional Assistance: Using CDR report writing services or RPL writing services can help avoid common mistakes and rejections.
- Tailor Your Report: Each report should reflect your unique experience and align with the competency standards required by the relevant assessing authority (EA or ACS).
Official Guidelines and References
When preparing your CDR or RPL application, always rely on the latest official guidelines published by the relevant assessing authority. Requirements and documentation standards may change periodically.
Key official resources include:
- Engineers Australia – Migration Skills Assessment Booklet (for CDR applicants)
- Australian Computer Society – Skills Assessment Guidelines (for RPL and ICT applicants)
- Department of Home Affairs – Skilled Occupation List and visa requirements
Reviewing these documents ensures that your report aligns with current competency standards, documentation requirements, and migration policies.
Before submitting your application, verify that you are following the most recent version of the guidelines applicable to your occupation.
Final Thoughts
Your educational background, together with your work experience, needs to be evaluated before making a choice between CDR and RPL reports. A CDR serves as a suitable option for graduates and diploma holders who want to demonstrate their engineering expertise. The RPL assessment process works better for professionals who lack formal qualifications but have gained extensive industry experience. The report needs to be prepared in an excellent way because it will help you achieve a positive skills assessment result, which will lead to successful migration to Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can engineers apply through RPL?
No. Engineers are assessed by Engineers Australia, while RPL is for ICT professionals assessed by ACS.
Is CDR required for all engineers?
No. It is only required if the qualification is not accredited under international engineering accords.
How long is a skills assessment valid?
Most skills assessments issued by EA or ACS are valid for 2 years.
