If you’re an engineer planning to migrate to Australia, writing a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) is one of the most critical steps. This technical document assesses your engineering qualifications and competencies against Australian standards set by Engineers Australia (EA).
A poorly drafted CDR can result in rejection or delays in your application. But with the right guidance and structure, your CDR can effectively showcase your skills and experience.
In this blog, we will walk you through how to write a CDR report step by step, highlight key mistakes to avoid, and offer professional tips to increase your chances of success.
What is a CDR Report?
A CDR (Competency Demonstration Report) is a technical document required by Engineers Australia (EA) to assess the engineering qualifications and experience of overseas engineers who wish to live and work in Australia.
It is designed to demonstrate:
- Your engineering knowledge
- Your practical application of engineering principles
- Your communication skills
- Your project experience and responsibilities
A well-written CDR proves that your engineering qualifications and competencies align with the Australian standards for the occupational category you are applying under.
Who Needs to Submit a CDR?
You must submit a CDR if:
You are an engineer with overseas qualifications not accredited under the Washington Accord, Sydney Accord, or Dublin Accord
You are applying for assessment in one of the four engineering categories:
- Professional Engineer
- Engineering Technologist
- Engineering Associate
- Engineering Manager
Even if you have years of experience, Engineers Australia requires written proof—and that’s where the CDR comes in.
Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a CDR Report
Let’s break down the process into seven essential steps:
Step 1: Understanding the MSA Booklet
Before you begin writing your CDR, read the Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) booklet thoroughly. This guide, published by Engineers Australia, outlines:
- Eligibility criteria
- Application procedures
- Document requirements
- CDR writing guidelines
Step 2: Choosing the Right Engineering Category
Select the correct occupational category based on your academic qualifications and work experience:
- Professional Engineer: Design and conceptual work, managerial roles
- Engineering Technologist: Application of engineering technology
- Engineering Associate: Focuses on hands-on support tasks
- Engineering Manager: In charge of overall engineering projects or departments
Misrepresenting your level can result in an unsuccessful application.
Step 3: Preparing Your CPD (Continuing Professional Development)
The CPD section showcases how you’ve kept your engineering knowledge up-to-date after graduation.
Include:
- Workshops
- Conferences
- Seminars
- Online courses
- Journals, books, or technical articles
Format: A tabular list with:
- Title
- Date
- Duration
- Venue
- Provider
- Description
Step 4: Writing the Three Career Episodes (CEs)
This is the core of your CDR. Each CE describes a specific engineering project or task you’ve completed. These are used to assess your real-world application of engineering knowledge.
Structure of a Career Episode:
Introduction
- Project title
- Duration
- Location
- Role
Background
Organization context
- Your position and responsibilities
- Objective of the project
Personal Engineering Activity
- Detailed description of your work
- Problem-solving examples
- Technical challenges
- Tools, techniques, and standards used
- Teamwork and leadership
Summary
- Project outcomes
- Your personal contribution
Step 5: Composing the Summary Statement
After writing the Career Episodes, prepare a Summary Statement to map how your CEs align with EA’s competency elements.
Use a table to refer to:
- EA Competency Elements
- Career Episode number
- Paragraph number where the competency is demonstrated
Step 6: Attaching the Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Your CV should:
- Be written in reverse chronological order
- Include all relevant qualifications and work experience
- Match the projects discussed in your CDR
- Include company names, your role, duration, and key responsibilities
Step 7: Final Formatting and Plagiarism Check
Ensure that your document:
- Follows EA formatting requirements (font, spacing, headings)
- Has no plagiarism (EA uses sophisticated tools to detect copied content)
- Has proper grammar and sentence structure
- Contains supporting documents like academic transcripts, employment letters, and passport ID
What are the Common Mistakes to Avoid?
1. Copying Samples from Online Sources
One of the most serious mistakes applicants make is copying content from CDR samples found online. Engineers Australia uses advanced plagiarism detection software to evaluate submitted reports. If any part of your report matches existing content—even if it’s just a few lines—it may lead to immediate rejection or a ban for up to 12 months.
Even using AI-generated or template-based content without customisation is risky. Your CDR must be original, based solely on your own experience and written in your own words.
2. Writing in the Third Person
CDR reports must be written in the first person because they are about your personal engineering experience. Phrases like “I designed…,” “I led…,” or “I was responsible for…” are necessary to show your individual role in projects.
Writing in third person distances you from the actions described and makes it difficult for the assessor to identify your specific contributions. Always focus on what you did, not what the team or company achieved.
3. Focusing Too Much on Team Achievements
While engineering projects often involve teamwork, your career episodes should clearly highlight your personal contribution, not just what the team or company accomplished. Avoid generic statements about project goals or team activities.
Instead, emphasise tasks where you took initiative, solved problems, or applied engineering principles. Engineers Australia is assessing your competencies, not your employer’s reputation or your team’s success. Make yourself the central figure in each episode.
4. Poor English and Grammar
Your CDR must be written in clear, professional English. Grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, and poorly structured sentences can significantly impact your credibility. Engineers Australia assesses your communication skills as part of the evaluation, so writing fluently is crucial.
If English is not your first language, consider having your report proofread or edited by a native speaker or a professional editor. Proper language use not only helps you express yourself more effectively but also shows your commitment to high standards.
5. Not Referring to EA Competencies in the Summary Statement
The Summary Statement is where you map each paragraph of your Career Episodes to specific competency elements outlined by Engineers Australia. A common mistake is failing to cross-reference these properly or skipping this section altogether.
Without a clear summary statement, assessors cannot verify whether you meet the required competencies for your occupational category. Make sure you reference the correct paragraphs and provide a concise explanation of how each competency was demonstrated.
6. Submitting Incomplete Documents
Submitting a CDR with missing sections—such as an incomplete CV, missing CPD, or omitted summary statement—will result in an immediate rejection. Ensure you follow the checklist provided in the MSA booklet.
All documents should be correctly formatted, certified, and attached in the required order. Incomplete submissions show a lack of preparation and attention to detail—qualities that are not favourable for an engineer applying to migrate to Australia.
Conclusion
Writing a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) can initially seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re not familiar with the specific structure and expectations set by Engineers Australia.
However, by breaking down the process into clear, manageable steps, the journey becomes much less overwhelming. Rather than viewing it as a bureaucratic requirement, approach it as an opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and potential.
The primary goal of the CDR is to demonstrate your core engineering competencies. Engineers Australia wants to see how you think as an engineer, how you solve technical problems, how you apply engineering knowledge in real-life scenarios, and how well you communicate in English.
It’s essential that your report is not only technically sound but also personal and authentic. Every paragraph should reflect your individual contributions and professional growth.
FAQs
1. Can I write all three Career Episodes based on academic projects?
Yes, but it’s advisable to include at least one based on professional work experience.
2. How long should the CDR report be?
There’s no fixed word limit, but each career episode should be around 1000–2500 words.
3. Can I hire a professional to write my CDR?
Yes, but you must review and ensure it reflects your own experience—EA may interview you on its content.
4. What if my CDR gets rejected?
EA usually provides a reason. You can revise and resubmit after 12 months, depending on the case.
5. Can I reuse someone else’s CDR as a reference?
You can refer to sample structures but never copy text. EA strictly checks for plagiarism.
