Writing a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) for Engineers Australia (EA) is a critical step for engineers applying for skilled migration. However, many applicants face rejection due to avoidable mistakes in structure, content, or compliance. A rejected CDR can delay your migration process by months—or worse, lead to a permanent denial.
Here’s a detailed guide on the top CDR report writing tips to avoid rejection and get a positive skills assessment from Engineers Australia:
1. Follow Engineers Australia’s MSA Booklet Strictly
Why it matters:
EA publishes the Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) booklet, which outlines exact requirements for your CDR submission.
Tips to follow:
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Use the correct CDR format (CV, CPD, Career Episodes, Summary Statement)
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Select the correct occupational category (Professional Engineer, Technologist, Associate, Manager)
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Understand the 16 competency elements required by EA
Never guess the format or structure—EA expects strict compliance.
2. Choose Projects That Reflect Your Role and Responsibility
Why it matters:
Your CDR must highlight your personal contribution, not your team’s work or general project outcomes.
Tips to follow:
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Select 3 real projects that reflect your engineering expertise
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Choose complex tasks where you were actively involved
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Focus on technical decisions, designs, calculations, or problem-solving you did
Avoid generic or management-only projects that don’t show core engineering skills.
3. Use First-Person Language ("I did", not "We did")
Why it matters:
EA wants to know what you did—not your team, company, or supervisor.
Tips to follow:
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Use phrases like “I designed,” “I calculated,” “I implemented”
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Avoid overuse of “we” or “our team”
Your CDR should clearly show your individual role and accountability.
4. Apply the STAR Method in Career Episodes
Why it matters:
A structured story ensures clarity and consistency in demonstrating competencies.
Tips to follow:
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Situation – Project context
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Task – Your responsibility
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Action – What actions you took
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Result – The impact or outcome
Well-structured episodes make it easy for assessors to evaluate your claims.
5. Demonstrate the Right Competencies Clearly
Why it matters:
Each Career Episode must demonstrate specific competencies related to your engineering category.
Tips to follow:
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Highlight key skills like problem-solving, risk management, design, teamwork, communication, and ethics
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Make it easy for the assessor to map each action to a competency
Refer back to the competency elements outlined by EA for your category.
6. Keep the Language Professional and Error-Free
Why it matters:
Poor grammar, vague language, or spelling errors affect both readability and your English competency assessment.
Tips to follow:
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Use professional, formal language
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Avoid technical jargon unless explained
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Proofread for spelling, grammar, and flow
Consider professional editing if English is not your first language.
7. Avoid Plagiarism at All Costs
Why it matters:
EA uses advanced plagiarism detection tools. Copied content from sample reports, internet sources, or others' CDRs leads to immediate rejection and possible ban.
Tips to follow:
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Write 100% original content based on your own experience
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Don’t reuse content from job descriptions or company documents
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Do not buy pre-written templates online
Always write in your own words—even if you follow a sample structure.
8. Be Specific and Quantify Where Possible
Why it matters:
General statements like “I contributed to the design” are too vague.
Tips to follow:
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Mention specific tasks and tools used
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Quantify your results where possible (e.g., "reduced downtime by 25%")
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Describe design specifications, standards, and codes applied
Detail strengthens credibility and shows the depth of your engineering work.
9. Don’t Skip the Summary Statement
Why it matters:
The Summary Statement maps your Career Episodes to EA’s competency elements and is essential for assessment.
Tips to follow:
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Use EA’s Summary Statement template
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Reference the correct paragraph numbers from your Career Episodes
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Match each competency clearly with evidence
Many applicants get rejected for incomplete or incorrectly mapped Summary Statements.
10. Include a Valid CPD List and CV
Why it matters:
These documents prove that you're committed to lifelong learning and professional growth.
Tips to follow:
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List recent CPD activities: courses, seminars, technical reading
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Include dates, topics, and what you learned
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Keep your CV brief (1–2 pages), updated, and engineering-focused
CPD must be recent (last 3 years) and relevant to your discipline.
Bonus: Common Reasons for CDR Rejection
- Copied or plagiarized content
- Inadequate or vague Career Episodes
- Failure to demonstrate required competencies
- Poor English or unprofessional writing
- Incomplete Summary Statement or CPD
- Wrong occupational category selected
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✔ Engineers Australia compliance check
Conclusion: Your Success Starts with a Strong CDR
A well-written CDR is your gateway to a successful engineering career in Australia. By following EA’s guidelines, using real project examples, and avoiding common mistakes, you can submit a CDR that earns a positive assessment on the first attempt.
Don't risk rejection—prepare your CDR with care, precision, and professionalism.
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