Engineers Australia has established mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with engineering bodies around the world. If you’re a member of a reciprocal organisation, the MRA allows you to join Engineers Australia at an equivalent membership level. You can also apply for the Chartered credential through this arrangement and in some cases join the National Engineering Register.
Under the MRA, formal academic qualifications must be recognised by both bodies under the Washington, Sydney or Dublin Accords. If your academic qualification isn’t accepted under one of the accords, you might need to complete a competency assessment.
An update on MRAs
There are a number of MRAs which are currently subject to renewal. During this period, recognition may not apply.
We have agreed to move these MRAs to the international recognition pathway under the International Professional Engineers Agreement to strengthen such international pathways. The change was endorsed by Engineers Australia's Professional Standards Committee, which is planning discussions with other international professional bodies.
More information will be provided once available.
Reciprocal organisations
Engineers Australia has MRAs or agreements in place in the following countries.
Commission des Titres d’lngenieur (CTI)
This is not a full MRA. It applies only to engineers with the eligible French qualification wishing to apply to Engineers Australia.
The eligible qualification is a Diplome d’lngenieur (equivalent to the Australian certification framework level AQF 9: Masters Degree) delivered by an accredited French institution listed the annual inter-ministerial decree (“arrete”) at the time of graduation, and delivered after 15 January 1970.
The MRA with Japan is a joint one between The Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan (IPEJ) and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
Colegio de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos (CICCP)
This is not a full MRA. It covers:
- members of Engineers Australia who hold a relevant engineering qualification in Civil Engineering
- members who have attained the professional titles of Chartered Professional Engineer, granted by Engineers Australia
- members who are registered on the National Engineering Register administered by Engineers Australia (in the Civil Engineering Area of Practice only)
- members of CICCP who hold a relevant engineering qualification (Civil Engineer (Master of Engineering)) and have attained the professional title of lngeniero de Caminos, Canales y Puertas (ICCP).
Find out more about the eligibility criteria for CICCP members applying for Engineers Australia membership.
El Consejo General de Colegios Oficiales de Ingenieros Industriales (CGCOII)
This is not a full MRA. It covers:
- members of Engineers Australia who hold a relevant engineering qualification in Industrial, Chemical, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering
- members who have attained the professional titles of Chartered Professional Engineer, granted by Engineers Australia
- members who are registered on the National Engineering Register administered by Engineers Australia
- members of CGCOII who hold relevant a engineering qualification (Industrial Engineer (Master of Engineering) and have attained the professional title of Ingeniero Industrial.
Find out more about the eligibility criteria for CGCOII members applying for Engineers Australia membership.
How to apply
If your organisation is listed and your qualification is recognised by Engineers Australia, create an account and apply via the member portal.
You’ll need to upload the following documents in colour:
- photo identification
- change of name documents (if applicable)
- evidence of your qualifications including transcripts and testamurs, or a previous assessment letter from us
- detailed CV
- membership number with the reciprocal organisation, including the name of the organisation
- evidence of Chartered status or registration with the reciprocal organisation
- evidence that you’re in good financial standing with the reciprocal organisation.
If you’re applying for Chartered or Registered credentials, you’ll also need to provide evidence of a minimum 150 hours of CPD over the previous three years.
Application outcome
Your application will take about four weeks to process to allow for a response from the overseas engineering body. You’ll receive an email when your application has been accepted.
When you receive the acceptance email, you’ll need to login to your account on the member portal and pay the fee. Your membership won’t start until you pay the fee.
Learn more about becoming a member and membership fees.
If you have any questions about membership through MRA, contact us.