Would you like to find out about how you can migrate to Australia as a structural engineer? The good news is that there are a range of temporary and permanent skilled Australian visa for structural engineers options, as well as provisional visas which provide a pathway to permanent residency.
In this article, we take a look at how to migrate to australia as a structural engineer. We examine how the occupation of structural engineer anzsco is classified and defined in Australia for migration purposes and the potential visa options to migrate to Australia as a structural engineer.
But before we discuss the skilled visa options that are available for structural engineer anzsco, we begin by first introducing you to some of the key elements that you need to take into account when assessing your eligibility for an Australian visa for structural engineers.
Important Factors To Consider When Applying For An Australian Visa For Structural Engineers
Skilled Occupation List
A key component in determining your eligibility for a structural engineer anzsco visa is based on whether the occupation of structural engineer is included on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for the relevant skilled visa being considered.
It is important to be aware that each skilled visa subclass is subject to a specified SOL, which is designed to respond to skill shortages in various industries and regions across Australia. As labour markets change, so too do the relevant SOLs to reflect pertaining market conditions. It is therefore vital if you are seeking to apply for an Australian visa for structural engineers, that you apply the correct and most up-to-date SOL in assessing your eligibility to migrate to Australia as a structural engineer.
Please note that as of 25 November 2023, there have been changes to occupation requirements for the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa. Occupations are no longer required to be specified in a SOL to be eligible for an ENS visa. Instead, the nominated occupation must be listed in the ANZSCO and the nominated worker must continue to work in the occupation nominated for their TSS visa (ANZSCO 4-digit occupation unit group code).
Targeted Approach
Certain skilled visa options go one step further by targeting skills shortages in certain geographical areas (including in regional Australia). Employers can also sponsor or nominate suitably skilled applicants to fill vacancies in individual businesses, thereby addressing an employer-specific need. An example of this is an employer sponsored Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa.
There are several Australian visa for structural engineers options available to migrate to Australia as a structural engineer, with each one designed to meet a specific purpose.
These comprise an independent, state sponsored, regional state sponsored, regional family sponsored, regional employer sponsored, employer sponsored and employer nominated skilled visa as well as a training and temporary graduate skilled visa. Some examples before we move on?
Well, a Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa is an example of a regional state or family sponsored structural engineer anzsco visa.
While a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (SESR) visa is a regional employer-sponsored Australian visa for structural engineers.
And a permanent residence employer nominated option for how to migrate to Australia as a structural engineer is the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.
Each skilled visa subclass is subject to a prescribed set of visa lodgement and grant requirements, a key part of which is the relevant SOL which prescribes the selected skilled occupations which may be nominated for that visa subclass.
Nominating A Structural Engineer ANZSCO On The Skilled Occupation List
Different SOLs apply to each skilled visa subclass. For example, the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which is a temporary employer sponsored visa, is subject to a Short‑term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), a Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and a Regional Occupation List (ROL). The skilled occupation list that applies to an occupation determines whether it can be nominated under the short-term or medium-term stream of the subclass 482 visa program. There is also a labour agreement stream which applies where the sponsoring employer has a labour agreement in place, and that agreement specifies the occupation/s that may be nominated for a TSS visa.
The occupation of structural engineer is included on the MLTSSL, and so may be nominated by an employer for a TSS visa under the medium-term stream. This also provides a structural engineer anzsco PR pathway after two years via the Subclass 186 ENS visa (this is discussed further below).
Migrate To Australia As A Structural Engineer Under A Labour Agreement
A labour agreement is negotiated between the Australian Government (represented by the Department of Home Affairs) and employers who seek to sponsor overseas workers for their business.
Labour agreements allow approved businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers when there is a demonstrated need that cannot be met in the Australian labour market and the standard temporary or permanent visa programs are not available (for example, the occupation which the employer is seeking to nominate is not included on the SOL for the TSS, SESR or ENS visa programs).
One of the main benefits of entering into a labour agreement is its flexibility as it enables an employer to negotiate terms that meet the needs of the business (different types of agreements allow for varying levels of flexibility). This means that an employer may be able to negotiate certain concessions to the skilled visa criteria that would normally apply under the standard employer sponsored visa grant requirements. This can include requirements relating to English language competency, salary and age thresholds. A labour agreement can also be used to employ overseas workers in new or emerging occupations that are not defined in the ANZSCO.
Under a labour agreement, an employer can sponsor or nominate suitably skilled overseas workers for an employer sponsored structural engineer anzsco visa in accordance with the terms which have been negotiated with the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) in the executed labour agreement (different types of agreements allow for varying levels of flexibility).
There are five types of Labour Agreements, which are as follows:
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- Company specific labour agreements
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- Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
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- Project agreements
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- Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) agreements
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- Industry labour agreements
To learn more about labour agreements, including the different types of labour agreements and how they operate, please refer to our article on a Labour Agreement Visa.
Skills Assessment
To be deemed ‘suitably qualified’ for a nominated occupation under the skilled visa program, applicants are required to demonstrate that they possess a minimum level of skills, qualifications and/or employment experience as prescribed by the migration provisions for the relevant skilled visa class which is being applied for. This may include the requirement that an applicant obtains a positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation (to be completed by a specified skills assessing body). The skills assessment must be within the accepted validity date (which is normally either three years from the date of issue, or on a date earlier if specified in the skills assessment).
It must also be the correct type of skills assessment. Applicants must have a skills assessment that meets the requirements for the visa for which they are applying. For example, some assessing authorities offer a provisional skills assessment for recent graduates of Australian educational institutions who are applying for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa. A provisional skills assessment issued for this purpose is not a suitable skills assessment for a permanent residence skilled visa application, for example.
Skill Assessments For Structural Engineers
The prescribed skill assessing body for structural engineers is Engineers Australia (EA). We provide further information about the EA requirements for structural engineers in our discussion further below in this article.
English Language
English language criteria also apply, which may require applicants to complete a prescribed English language test and achieve a specified minimum test score (there are exemptions in certain cases). Be aware that English test results are valid for a limited period (depending on the class of visa being applied for and the level of English competency required).
What Are The Possible Skilled Visa Options For How To Migrate To Australia As A Structural Engineer?
Before we take a detailed look at how the occupation of structural engineer is defined for structural engineer anzsco visa purposes, we begin our discussion with an introduction of the main types of skilled visas that are available for structural engineers. We also provide links to further information on these visa options at the conclusion of this article.
Training Visa
The Subclass 407 training visa is a temporary sponsored visa which is designed to help you to improve your skills in your current occupation, area of tertiary study, or to participate in a professional development training program in Australia. The subclass 407 visa is not suitable for applicants whose sole purpose is to perform work in Australia but rather, to engage in workplace-based training.
One of the subclass 407 visa requirements is that you need to be sponsored by an Australian organisation or government agency (including a foreign government). You must also be nominated for the subclass 407 visa (unless your sponsor is a Commonwealth Government agency, in which case you will need to be invited in writing). You need to select from one of three nomination types, depending on the purpose or type of training which you seek to undertake. Each nomination type has specified requirements, one of which requires your occupation to be included on a subclass 407 training visa skilled occupation list.
The subclass 407 visa can be granted for a period of up to two years and permits unrestricted travel to and from Australia for the duration of the visa. You can also include certain members of your family unit as dependent visa applicants, allowing them to accompany you to Australia.
Nomination Type 2: Occupational Training To Enhance Skills
Nomination type 2 requires the occupational training to be a structured workplace-based training program which is designed to meet your training needs, as the nominee.
The occupation of structural engineer is included on the skilled occupation list for the subclass 407 training visa, which means that you may be nominated for this visa provided that you have at least 12 months full-time employment experience as a structural engineer (in the two years immediately before lodgement of the application) to qualify under nomination type 2.
Please note that the subclass 407 visa is a temporary visa only with no direct pathway to permanent residency in Australia.
To learn more about the subclass 407 training visa program, please see our article on the subclass 407 Training Visa Requirements And Occupations.
General Skilled Migration
The General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa program offers the following skilled visa options (all of which are points-based) for structural engineers:
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- Subclass 189 Skilled (Independent) visa;
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- Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa (a permanent residence visa that requires State Sponsorship approval); and
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- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa.
The GSM program operates under an invitation-based system, whereby applicants must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Home Affairs (the Department). Only upon receipt of an invitation can applicants then proceed to apply for the visa itself. Periodically, we publish a summary of the results for invitations issued in the most recent invitation round. We refer you to the latest invitation round results.
Permanent Residency Australian Visa For Structural Engineers
The subclass 189 visa grants you immediate permanent residence in Australia. It is a points-tested permanent residency visa, which means that you need to attain at least 65 points in the migration points test to be eligible.
The same applies to the subclass 190 visa, although you need to be nominated by a State or Territory Government to qualify. Note that you will be granted an additional 5 points on account of the nomination.
Australian Visa For Structural Engineers Permanent Residency Pathway
You may also be nominated as a structural engineer by a State or Territory government agency or be sponsored by an eligible relative for a Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. This visa is also a points-tested visa. This means that to apply (and qualify for) a subclass 491 visa, you will need to gain at least 65 points to be eligible. This visa option grants you an additional 15 points for the nomination/sponsorship.
Eligible subclass 491 visa holders may qualify for a Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years.
The term of the subclass 491 visa is five years. As a subclass 491 visa holder (including any accompanying visa dependents), you must live, work and study only in a designated regional area of Australia.
Subclass 491 visa holders have unrestricted rights to travel to and from Australia during the visa term and are also entitled to enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health system.
Employer Sponsored Skilled Visa
Structural engineers may also qualify for a Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which is an employer sponsored temporary visa (under the medium-term stream). A TSS Australian visa for structural engineers may be granted for up to four years.
The subclass 482 visa provides structural engineers with a pathway to permanent residency with an employer nominated Subclass 186 visa (which is discussed below) after two years.
Employer Nominated Skilled Visa
Applicants seeking an employer nominated permanent residence visa who are prepared to commit to remaining with their nominating employer for at least two years from visa grant may consider a Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.
The subclass 186 employer nominated visa comprises of a Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) and Labour Agreement stream.
The TRT option provides a pathway to permanent residence for TSS subclass 482 visa holders who are nominated as structural engineers after two years.
Structural engineers may also qualify for immediate permanent residency under the Direct Entry stream.
Employer Sponsored Regional Visa
The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa provides structural engineers with a pathway to permanent residence with the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years if the applicant meets specified requirements at that time. The term of the subclass 494 visa is five years.
A SESR visa holder is required to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia. They can travel to and from Australia on an unrestricted basis over the visa term. They are also entitled to enrol in Medicare.
How Is The Occupation Of Structural Engineer Defined For A Skilled Visa?
For migration law purposes, each nominated occupation is defined based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). The ANZSCO occupational classification system provides a general description of each occupation, skill level, registration and/or licensing requirements and the tasks and duties that may be required to be performed as part of each occupation. Each occupation is assigned a unique ANZSCO code, which is used to identify the occupations that are eligible for a skilled visa for Australia.
The following occupational category for structural engineers contained in ANZSCO may be nominated for a skilled visa to Australia (classified as a minor group):
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- Engineering Professionals (minor group 233).
This minor group is then broken down into unit groups of occupations. The next level below this are specific occupations, which are each identified using an ANZSCO code. Skilled visa eligibility is, in part, based on whether your occupation appears on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for the skilled visa that you are seeking to apply for.
Our discussion will follow the ANZSCO structure as we have outlined above. We will start by looking at the minor group listed above. We will then explore the unit groups that makes up this minor group. We then conclude with the most important component in this discussion, that being the specific definition of a structural engineer that may be nominated for an Australian visa for structural engineers.
Minor Group 233 – Engineering Professionals
We begin by examining ANZSCO minor group 233 for Engineering Professionals.
ANZSCO General Description: Engineering Professionals design, plan and organise the testing, construction, installation and maintenance of structures, machines and their components, and production systems and plants, and plan production schedules and work procedures to ensure engineering projects are undertaken efficiently and in a cost effective manner.
ANZSCO Skill level: Most occupations in this minor group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).
Tasks include:
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- planning and designing chemical process systems, civil engineering projects, electrical power equipment and facilities, electronic components used in computer and industrial applications, mechanical equipment and systems, mining and drilling operations, and other engineering projects
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- drafting and interpreting specifications, drawings and plans, and determining construction methods
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- supervising the construction of structures, water and gas supply and transportation systems, and the manufacture, installation, operation and maintenance of equipment, machines and plant
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- organising and managing project labour and the delivery of materials, plant and equipment
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- estimating total costs and preparing detailed cost plans and estimates as tools for budgetary control
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- resolving design and operational problems in the various fields of engineering through the application of engineering technology
The 233 minor group comprises the following unit groups:
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- 2331 Chemical and Materials Engineers;
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- 2332 Civil Engineering Professionals;
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- 2333 Electrical Engineers;
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- 2334 Electronics Engineers;
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- 2335 Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers;
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- 2336 Mining Engineers; and
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- 2339 Other Engineering Professionals.
The occupation of structural engineer is included in unit group 2332 Civil Engineering Professionals.
Unit Group 2332 – Civil Engineering Professionals
Occupations in this unit group have the following elements:
ANZSCO General Description: Civil Engineering Professionals design, plan, organise and oversee the construction of civil engineering projects such as dams, bridges, pipelines, gas and water supply schemes, sewerage systems, roads, airports and other structures; analyse the likely behaviour of soil and rock when placed under pressure by proposed structures and design structural foundations; analyse the statical properties of all types of structures and test the behaviour and durability of materials used in their construction; plan and develop transportation systems; and estimate and monitor the construction costs of projects.
ANZSCO Skill level: Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).
Registration or licensing may be required.
Tasks include:
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- determining construction methods, materials and quality standards, and drafting and interpreting specifications, drawings, plans, construction methods and procedures
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- organising and directing site labour and the delivery of construction materials, plant and equipment, and establishing detailed programs for the coordination of site activities
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- obtaining soil and rock samples at different depths across sites and testing samples to determine strength, compressibility and other factors that affect the behaviour of soil and rock when a structure is imposed and determining the safe loading for the soil
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- studying architectural and engineering drawings and specifications to estimate total costs, and preparing detailed cost plans and estimates as tools to assist in budgetary control
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- monitoring changes to designs, assessing effects on cost, and measuring, valuing and negotiating variations to designs
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- analysing structural systems for both static and dynamic loads
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- designing structures to ensure they do not collapse, bend, twist or vibrate in undesirable ways
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- assessing present and future travel flow patterns taking into account population increase and needs change
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- designing the physical aspects of transportation systems such as highways, railroads, urban transit, air transportation, logistical supply systems and their terminals
Skill assessing authority: Engineers Australia
Skilled Occupation List: Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Skilled Visa Options:
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- Subclass 189 Skilled (Independent) visa
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- Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa
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- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa
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- Subclass 407 Training visa
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- Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (Medium Term Stream)
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- Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa (Graduate Work Stream)*
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- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (State or Territory nominated)
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- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (Family sponsored)
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- Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (Employer sponsored stream)
* Potential applicants may also qualify under the Post-Study Work Stream, which does not apply a Skilled Occupation List.
A description of the occupation of structural engineer, as defined in this ANZSCO group, is listed below.
| ANZSCO Occupation | ANZSCO code | ANZSCO Description |
| Structural Engineer | 233214 | Analyses the statical properties of all types of structures, tests the behaviour and durability of materials used in their construction, and designs and supervises the construction of all types of structures. Registration or licensing may be required. |
Skill Assessments For Structural Engineers
As noted in our discussion above, the prescribed skill assessing body for structural engineers is Engineers Australia (EA). For the remainder of our discussion, we provide further details about the skill assessment process and requirements for this occupation.
Engineers Australia
To apply for a skills assessment with EA, follow the below process.
Check Your Qualification
Your qualification is the main factor in choosing the right assessment pathway. It’s determined by:
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- the country from which you received it;
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- the type of qualification; and
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- whether it’s accredited.
Accredited qualifications are engineering qualifications that are recognised through agreements known as Accords. There are three relevant Accords – the Washington Accord, Sydney Accord and Dublin Accord. EA will recognise your qualifications under these Accords if:
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- it was completed after, or in the same year in which the country was accepted as a full signatory under the Accord;
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- your program falls within the time period specified as accredited on the signatory’s website for your country. This may be referred to as a program’s intake, commencement or graduate year
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- your program is listed as fully accredited, provisional accreditation isn’t sufficient.
Use the qualification checker on the International Engineering Alliance website to check if your qualifications are accredited.
If you completed your qualification in Australia and it’s listed in Engineers Australia’s list of accredited programs, then you can apply directly through the Australian qualifications pathway.
Occupational Categories
Engineers Australia recognises four occupational categories for skilled migration:
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- Professional engineer;
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- Engineering technologist;
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- Engineering associate; and
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- Engineering manager.
Based on your qualifications and skills, you will work in Australia in one of these occupational categories.
Select An Assessment Pathway
If your qualification is accredited, you can choose between four assessment pathways or types:
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- Australian qualification;
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- Washington Accord;
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- Dublin Accord; or
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- Sydney Accord.
If you have a French qualification, you can apply under the Washington Accord.
You can apply via the Australian qualification pathway if:
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- you have an ASQA-recognised Australian associate degree or advanced diploma in engineering; and
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- you’re looking for a role as an engineering associate.
If you have an Australian provisionally-accredited qualification, apply through the competency demonstration report (CDR) assessment pathway.
If your qualification isn’t accredited, apply through the CDR pathway. In this case, your knowledge, skills and competency are assessed against internationally benchmarked factors.
In the online application for the CDR pathway you’ll be asked to choose your engineering occupation (or qualification) from a dropdown list.
If your assessment is successful, both your occupational category and your engineering occupation will be reflected in the outcome letter.
A minimum English language competency must also be demonstrated to meet assessment requirements for all Engineers Australia occupations. Exemptions apply in certain circumstances.
Prepare And Submit Your Application
Skill assessment applications must be submitted online with all required documents to be attached (in the correct form).
Please refer to the Engineers Australia website for further information.
Get More Information
Skilled Visa Options For Selected Occupations
Please refer to our series of articles on the skilled visa options that are available for selected occupations below:
Visa Options For Professionals
Skilled Trade Visa Options In Australia
Australian Visa Options For IT Occupations
Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Doctors
Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Nurses
Australian Visa Options For Engineers
Migrate To Australia As A Plastics Moulder Machine Operator, Fabricator, Welder Or Technician
How To Migrate To Australia As A Pig Farmer Or A Senior Piggery Stockperson
Migrate To Australia As A Small Engine Mechanic
Migrate To Australia As A Sandblaster
Employer Sponsored Regional Visa
For further information on the subclass 494 regional employer sponsored visa, please see the following articles:
Skilled Regional Visa Australia
Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme
Regional Sponsored Visa Requirements
Employer Sponsored Visa
To learn more about an employer sponsorship visa, please see the following articles:
Employer Nomination Migration Scheme
Employer Sponsor Visa Requirements
Changes To 457 Temporary Work Skilled Visa
Business Requirements For Accredited Sponsorship
Does 482 Visa Require Skills Assessment
Subclass 482 – A Guide to Temporary Skill Shortage
Permanent Residence Eligibility Extended For Certain Subclass 457 And 482 Visa Holders
How To Sponsor An Employee For A Work Visa Or Permanent Residency
Overview Of Australian Work Visas And Employer Sponsorship
Guide To Australian Sponsorship Visa Costs
Labour Market Testing Requirements
Skilled Visa
To learn more about applying for a skilled visa, please see the following articles:
Australian Skilled Migration Visa List
General Skilled Migration Visa Options
SAF Skilling Australians Fund Levy
General Skilled Migration Visa Points
Subclass 190 State Sponsorship Visa
Australian Skilled Occupations List
Australian Permanent Resident Visa Case Study
State Sponsorship Visas In Australia
South Australia State Sponsorship Opportunities
Skilled Regional Visa Australia
Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme
Regional Sponsored Visa Requirements
Visa Options For Professionals
Skilled Trade Visa Options In Australia
English Requirements For Skilled Visas
Australian Visa Options For IT Occupations
Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Doctors
Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Nurses
Australian Visa Options For Engineers
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Contact us to book a no-obligation consultation to find out more about applying for an Australian visa for structural engineers, including how to migrate to Australia as a structural engineer and to assess your eligibility to migrate to Australia as a structural engineer.
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In conclusion, we note that the above discussion provides an overview of the Australian visa options for structural engineers, as well as the Engineers Australia process and requirements to obtain a positive skills assessment as a structural engineer for how to migrate to Australia as a structural engineer. We also provide links to further information so that you can learn more about the skilled visas options that are available for the occupation of structural engineer anzsco and how to migrate to Australia as a structural engineer.
Australia’s migration laws are complex, and each case is different. We recommend that you seek professional advice if you are seeking to migrate to Australia as a structural engineer, as being fully informed will give you the best chance of achieving a successful outcome on your case. A migration professional can help you to do this.
For up-to-date advice on a skilled Australian visa for structural engineers, book your confidential consultation with a migration agent in Adelaide. PAX Migration Australia is a leading immigration advice service based in Adelaide.