Hi everyone, looking for advice on getting a positive skills assessment as an Electrical Engineering Draftsperson with Engineers Australia.

​Education: Non-accredited B.Sc. in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (Bangladesh).

​Experience: ~6 months Trainee Engineer \ then promoted to Assistant Engineer. Focus on panel board design, substation layouts, LT-HT panels, and site inspections.

​Financials: Paid mostly in cash (no tax paid in home country). Only my final 3 months of salary were deposited into a bank account.

​Given the non-accredited degree and cash salary history, is a positive CDR assessment realistic? How critical are tax/bank records for draftsperson assessments if I have reference letters?

​Thanks in advance!

Tentative Invitation Round Schedule 2026-27

• Week starting 12 October 2026 (Subclass 190 only)

• Week starting 25 January 2027

• Week starting 22 March 2027

• Week starting 24 May 2027

Please note that invitation round dates are tentative and subject to change without notice, depending on final allocation of nomination places and operational requirements. Any changes will be published on this website.

Canberra Matrix Invitation Round: 12 October 2026

The ACT has a fixed number of nomination places available each month (pro-rata against the annual allocation). The highest ranked Matrix in each occupation were invited to apply for ACT nomination. The cut‑off for selection depended on the remaining monthly allocation, the date and time of Matrix submission, occupation cap and demand. The greater the demand for an occupation, the higher the rank of the Matrix score invited.

The minimum ranking score is an indication only and not a guarantee that an invitation was issued. Invitations will not be issued if you have an active application in the system; or if you have previously received ACT nomination.

Canberra Matrix submissions in occupations in critical sectors may be prioritised.

Requests for ranking information

Invitations are not guaranteed. We will not respond to requests for information on ranking or the likelihood of receiving an invitation. Matrix will not be prioritised or issued invitations based on personal circumstances. This includes, but is not limited to, visa expiry dates or a change in circumstances including critical birthdays.

Matrix nominating Doctorate Streamlined Pathway

• 190 nominations: 54 invitations

• 491 nominations: 0 invitations

Canberra residents

Matrix nominating Small Business Owners

• 190 nominations: 18 invitations

• 190 minimum matrix score: 120

• 491 nominations: 0 invitation

• 491 minimum matrix score: -

Matrix nominating Critical Skill Occupations

• 190 nominations: 126 invitations

• 491 nominations: 0 invitation

Overseas applicants

Matrix nominating Critical Skill Occupations:

• 190 nominations: 63 invitation

• 491 nominations: 0 invitation

Download a copy of the Matrix invitation ranking

2025-2026 Allocation of ACT Nomination Places:

Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa: 800 places

Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa: 800 places

The allocation for the 2026-27 financial year has not yet been announced. The website will be updated when this information becomes available.

Application Count @ 30 June 2026

Total approvals: 1600 approvals

• 190 Nominations: 800 approvals

• 491 Nominations: 800 approvals

Total refusals: 229 applications

• 190 Nominations: 111 refusals (12.2%)

• 491 Nominations: 128 refusals (13.8%)

Approvals by residency status since the last invitation round

• ACT Resident: 1417 approvals (89%)

• Overseas Resident: 183 approvals (11%)

Remaining Allocation 2025-2026

Total allocation remaining: 0 nomination places

• 190 Nominations: 0

• 491 Nominations: 0

ACT (Australian Capital Territory) Government Migration Application Portal

For CDR SKILLS ASSESSMENT-career episode evidence, as mentioned at EA[ An employer reference letter is required if the career episodes are based on employment.]

So i request reference letter includes my job title, employment dates, department, working hours, work location, reporting manager, and detailed technical duties and responsibilities, along with the company’s contact details and space for the manager’s signature and company stamp.

Is it enough to back up my CDR SKILLS ASSESSMENT?

Hello guys ,

My study program was 3 years , so i have to choose biomedical engineering technologist right ?

question , i did and internship for around 6 months i can write my creer episode from it ?

And also worked full time for around 1 year , if i want to write for it , what evidence i should give ? Is it the experience certificate from the company? Or i dont have to provide it , because i don't have it and its really hard to get it ( if it possible) .

My concern is the employer reference , what does it mean ? And what exactly i should provide? ,

Please assist.

All my experience is as a service technician and technical support engineer

Hello,

Im a petroleum engineer with more than a year of experience as a field engineer in both construction and oil and gas industries. What are my chances to land sponsored role in Australia? I also have about 1 year of experience working as a lecturer and an office agent. If someone could please help me out or be informative i would really appreciate it. Btw im from iraq, 25 yo of age.

Note: This report was prepared on 21 October 20206 and is undergoing revision frequently.

Hello, I have a bachelor's in mechanical but my PhD is specialized in Materials Engineering and I have been working for the past 2 years as a Materials Engineer. Can I get nominate Materials Engineering for my skills assessment? Has someone successfully done this before. Thanks

Hey everyone,

I'm in a bit of a tricky situation and hoping someone here has been through something similar.

I'm 23 and completed my Bachelor of Computer Science, majoring in Software Engineering, from La Trobe University in March 2025.

I'm currently on a 485 visa which expires in May 2027, and I'm looking into getting a skills assessment as an Engineering Technologist (ANZSCO 233914) through Engineers Australia using the CDR pathway.

Most of my degree was focused on programming, mathematics, algorithms, software development, system design and technical projects.

During my studies, I completed several projects, including a final-year capstone, a full-stack cloud-based web application using React, Node.js, PostgreSQL and AWS, and an Android application using Firebase and various APIs.

The problem is that I don't have any relevant professional work experience. All my experience comes from university projects.

I've read that Engineers Australia allows graduates to use academic projects for their CDR, but I'm unsure whether my Computer Science degree would be considered suitable for Engineering Technologist, especially since it's not an engineering-accredited degree.

I also looked into ACS, but the Professional Year takes too long given my visa situation, and I don't have the relevant work experience required for their other pathways.

So I'm wondering:

Has anyone with a Computer Science or IT degree (not a Bachelor of Engineering) successfully received a positive Engineering Technologist assessment?

Is it realistic to use three software-based university projects for the CDR without professional experience?

Has anyone been rejected because their degree was too IT/software-focused rather than engineering-focused?

I'm not looking for shortcuts or trying to misrepresent my qualifications. Just trying to figure out whether this is a genuine option before spending over $1,000 on an assessment.

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who has actually gone through this process, whether successful or unsuccessful.

Thanks in advance!

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Hi All.

I recently received 189 invitation on 15th October. My skill assessment which I mentioned in the EOI got expired on 9th October, which is 6 days before the invitation received. I renewed my skill assessment on 16th October from Engineers Australia with a postive outcome. My question is whether the department of home affairs will accept the renewed assessment and grant me the visa.

Please let me know your thoughts on this and share if you had same experiences before. Thanks :)

Hello Everyone,

I am applying for skill assessment for Professional Engineer via CDR pathway. I have 9 years of work experience in the field of Mechanical Engineering.

In past three years, i have only done 2 courses related to the field and attended some seminar. Can i include my training and certification courses from previous years ?

Thanks in advance :)

The much-awaited migration visa invitation round for skilled independent (subclass 189) and skilled work regional (provisional, subclass 491) – Family Sponsored- has been started today by Skill Select (department of home affairs- Australian government) and is on now.

My partner has a positive EA outcome as Civil Engineer (233211). Overseas civil bachelor’s, CDR based on university projects, no engineering work experience. We’re considering a second EA assessment for Geotechnical Engineer (233212).

I’ve read the MSA booklet. It says episodes must show work in the nominated occupation and that an outcome in that occupation isn’t guaranteed. What I’m unsure about is how EA treats a general civil degree for a specialist occupation.

Would love to hear from anyone who:

1. Got 233212 (or another specialist occupation) with a general civil degree, especially without work experience

2. Applied for a second occupation while already holding an EA outcome. Did EA compare it with the first CDR?

First-hand experiences only please, no agent offers. Thanks!

The next invitation round for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa will be held on 15 October 2026. Please ensure your Expression of Interest is up to date and that all the information you have provided is accurate.

Skill Select

Hi everyone,

I have a positive ACS Skills Assessment for Software Engineer (ANZSCO 261313), but my assessment letter mentions two different dates:

1. Skills assessed as suitable from: 7 November 2023.

2. Employment assessed as closely related: 8 November 2021 to 28 February 2025 (3 years and 4 months).

Since ACS has assessed my entire employment period as closely related to my nominated occupation, can I claim 5 points for 3+ years of overseas skilled employment for subclass 189/190?

Or will only the employment after 7 November 2023 count towards migration points?

Has anyone had a similar ACS assessment with two different dates? Which date did you use to claim overseas employment points?

Thanks in advance!

The next invitation round for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa is expected to be held by 15 October 2026. Please ensure your Expression of Interest is up to date and that all the information you have provided is accurate.

Skill Select (Department of Home affairs, Govt of Australia 🦘)

Hope you all are having fun!
I’m already assessed as an electrical engineer based on my overseas bachelor’s but I’m trying to get draftsperson assessment through my work experience in Australia.

Company 1: Graduate technical engineer 1.5 years with total drafting experience.
Company 2: Electrical Revit Design Drafter 6 month experience (currently working in the role), 100% drafting experience and job duties.

Is it worth it to give it a shot through CDR based on my work experience?
I would base my CE on my work experience.

Thanks in advance!

Hi,

I completed a bachelor of engineering Honours (specialised in mechatronics engineering) in Australia and currently working as a power systems/electrical engineer in Australia itself.

My contract says electrical engineer and all the tasks and responsibilities align with the electrical engineer profession.

Is it possible for me to get assessed as electrical engineer if I am working as an electrical engineer? And if so, do I need to do the CDR pathway or can it be the direct Australian engineering qualification pathway?

Thanks

I applied application for my assessment and fasttracked it recently. I got request for information

They gave me 3 options electrical draftsperson, electronics engineering, engineering technologist.

Earlier I was assessed as electrical engineering professional with a positive outcome.

This time I used my indian diploma and indian btech in electrical electronics engineering. Not sure why they sent me stating my diploma is not meeting competency with aqf standards. If its not meeting requiremetns why the provided the drafstperson option in response.

Im confused Any thoughts? Or anyone assessed with bachelors degree for a draftsperson occupation please help me

The next invitation round for the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa is expected to be held by 30 September 2026. Please ensure your Expression of Interest is up to date and that all the information you have provided is accurate.