Migrate by occupation / Mechanical Engineer

MLTSSL

Migrate to Australia as a mechanical engineer

Mechanical engineers are on the MLTSSL and nominated widely, with strong demand in manufacturing, resources and defence. Like all engineering occupations, the pathway is often smoother than the headline points suggest - the slow part is the Competency Demonstration Report if your degree is not from an accredited pathway.

The essentials

Occupation
Mechanical Engineer
ANZSCO code
233512
Occupation list
MLTSSL — Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
Visas it supports
Subclass 189, 190, 491, 485
Assessed by
Engineers Australia
Assessment cost
around AUD 1,100 and up, with fast-track costing more
Assessment time
typically 12 to 16 weeks for standard processing

Which visas actually fit

Subclass 189possibleMore achievable than ICT at the same score, though still competitive.
Subclass 190strongWidely nominated across states, particularly infrastructure-related disciplines.
Subclass 491strongRegional infrastructure programs make engineers attractive to regional nomination.
Subclass 482strongEmployer sponsorship is common in construction and resources.

Check your points and pathways →

Your skills assessment

Before you can apply for any skilled visa as a mechanical engineer, Engineers Australia must assess your skills. They generally need:

  • An accredited-pathway qualification (Washington, Sydney or Dublin Accord), or a Competency Demonstration Report if your degree is not from an accord signatory.
  • A CDR requires three career episodes, a summary statement and a CPD list.
  • English test results, even for applicants whose degree was taught in English, in most cases.
CDR plagiarism carries a long ban

Career episodes must be your own work describing your own projects. Engineers Australia runs plagiarism detection and issues bans - commonly 12 months - where text is copied from samples, templates or another applicant. The market for "CDR writing services" is large and using one is a genuine risk to your migration timeline, not just your assessment.

Where mechanical engineers are nominated

Engineering is one of the most widely nominated categories nationally. Regional and resource states have historically been the most receptive.

Worth knowingEngineers Australia assessment is slower and pricier than most. Budget 12 to 16 weeks before you can even submit an EOI.

Compare state nomination programs →

Data sourceOccupation, list membership and assessing authority from LIN 19/051, the compilation in force 28 March 2026, read on 21 July 2026. Occupation lists and assessment requirements change - confirm the current position before you pay any fee.

Registered migration agents

We are building a directory of MARN-registered agents and immigration lawyers. Listings are checked against the public register before they appear.

How the directory works

Placement shown on the mechanical engineer migration page.

General information, not migration advice. myPRJourney summarises publicly available information about Australian visas so you can understand your options. It does not assess your case, and it is not a substitute for advice from a registered migration agent (MARN) or Australian legal practitioner. Migration rules, occupation lists, income thresholds and state nomination criteria change frequently and sometimes without notice. This page was last reviewed on 21 July 2026. Always confirm current requirements directly with the Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.