Quick answer
Documents Required for Skills Assessment: the short answer
For an Australian skills assessment you need your passport bio page, a recognised English test result, your degree certificate and complete academic transcripts, employment references on company letterhead covering dates and duties, and certified English translations of any non-English document — plus the CDR or RPL itself.
Identity and English
- Passport bio page — current, unexpired, colour scan.
- Name change evidence — marriage certificate or deed poll, if your documents carry different names.
- English test result — IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT or Cambridge, within validity. Check the minimum band your assessing authority requires, which can differ from the visa minimum.
Academic documents
- Degree certificate — the award parchment, showing the exact programme title.
- Complete academic transcripts — every semester, every subject, every grade, plus the grading scale if it is not self-explanatory.
- Postgraduate awards — certificate and transcripts, if you are relying on them.
Assessors match the programme title on the parchment against accord and accreditation lists. If your transcript says "Bachelor of Technology" and you are applying as a Professional Engineer, expect scrutiny — and prepare the syllabus documentation that shows the programme content.
Employment evidence
This is where most applications stall. Each employment reference should be on company letterhead, signed and dated, and must state:
- Your full name as it appears on your passport
- Exact start and end dates
- Your position title
- Whether the role was full-time or part-time, and the hours
- Your actual duties, described in enough detail to show engineering content
- The signatory's name, position and contact details
If a former employer will not issue one, a statutory declaration by a colleague plus payslips, tax records and contracts can substitute — but expect closer examination. See our reference letter guide for wording that works.
Certification and translation
Documents not in English require a translation by an accredited translator (NAATI in Australia, or a recognised equivalent abroad), submitted with the original. Certification requirements vary by authority and by whether you are uploading or posting — check the current instructions in the MSA booklet for Engineers Australia, or the ACS skills assessment guidelines for ICT occupations.
Verify before you act
Migration rules, occupation lists, fees and processing times change. This guide was last reviewed on 22 July 2026. Always confirm current requirements with Engineers Australia, the ACS or the Department of Home Affairs before lodging anything, and seek advice from a registered migration agent (MARA) for immigration matters.
Frequently asked questions
What documents does Engineers Australia require for a skills assessment?
Passport bio page, a recognised English test result, degree certificate and complete academic transcripts, employment references on letterhead covering dates and duties, certified translations of non-English documents, and the CDR itself — three career episodes, summary statement, CPD list and CV.
Do employment references need to be on company letterhead?
Yes. References should be on official letterhead, signed and dated, and must state your dates of employment, position, hours and actual duties. A bare service certificate confirming employment without duties is generally not sufficient.
What if my previous employer will not give me a reference?
You can submit a statutory declaration from a colleague or supervisor who can attest to your role, supported by payslips, employment contracts, tax records and appointment letters. Expect the assessor to examine this evidence more closely than a standard reference.
Do I need NAATI translations?
Any document not in English must be translated by an accredited translator and submitted with the original. NAATI accreditation is the Australian standard; a recognised official translator in your own country is generally accepted for offshore applicants.
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