Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Australia
Reload this Page >

Engineering Qualifications in Australia

Engineering Qualifications in Australia

Old Mar 10th 2011, 9:13 pm
  #1  
Almost more Oz than Pom
Thread Starter
 
KJCherokee's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: Brisbane northern suburbs
Posts: 1,154
KJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond repute
Default Engineering Qualifications in Australia

I came across this comment in another thread.

Originally Posted by spuddyo
At first this was a great disapointment as I had an HND in Electrical Engineering and had worked for 12 years an electrical engineer in the UK. But, it was what I needed to apply for a Trade License which was the next step so what ever the certificate was called I needed it.
and it brought to mind my own experience. I too have an HND in Mechanical Engineering from a student apprenticeship with English Electric (anyone remember them?) and had worked as an engineer in the UK for 13 years before emigrating, but when I arrived out here I discovered that not having a degree precluded me from applying for any engineer's job - I was only able to get work as what was termed a Technical Officer in the Civil Service. I was eventually able to get membership of the Institution of Engineers Australia based on a combination of my HND plus testimonials from people I had worked with in the UK regarding my experience. I am now a Chartered Engineer with full recognition.

So you need to bear in mind that in order to work as an engineer in Australia you have to have qualifications that are recognised by IEAust (also known as Engineers Australia): it is not necessary to actually join the institution as long as you have a degree. If you are in Queensland then you need to be registered as a Registered Professional Engineer (Queensland) or RPEQ - if you are not registered then you can only work under the direct supervision of someone who is. Theoretically, that is - there are plenty of engineers based in Queensland who aren't registered, but it is becoming more common for clients to insist on RPEQ sign-off on documents. This is largely due to legal liability concerns and professional indemnity insurance.

So if you have been working in the UK as an engineer but you don't have a recognised university degree, check very carefully what your status will be over here. I didn't (in 1983) but I got lucky - things are tighter now. For example my CPEng status came automatically - nowadays you have to put forward a CV and a presentation to crusty old sods like me to get Chartered status and in QLD you need Chartered status to become RPEQ.
KJCherokee is offline  
Old Mar 11th 2011, 1:42 am
  #2  
Banned
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,157
Weebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of light
Default Re: Engineering Qualifications in Australia

Your not an Engineer in Australia without an Engineering degree. Even many drafties these days now have engineering degrees.

To be honest many locals as here as well won't even classify you as a nengiener unlesss you work on the big resource projects.
Weebie is offline  
Old Mar 11th 2011, 3:17 am
  #3  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 823
jimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to all
Default Re: Engineering Qualifications in Australia

You can't call yourself legally an Engineer in Britain without a degree either. You're not legally allowed to sign off on documentation etc as you're not qualified without a degree. Same here really, a lot of people with HND's etc call themselves engineers or designers but cannot legally sign off on work
jimbo_d is offline  
Old Mar 11th 2011, 3:27 am
  #4  
JAJ
Retired
 
JAJ's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,649
JAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond reputeJAJ has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Engineering Qualifications in Australia

Originally Posted by jimbo_d
You can't call yourself legally an Engineer in Britain without a degree either.
You can if you are a Chartered Engineer.
JAJ is offline  
Old Mar 11th 2011, 4:53 am
  #5  
Almost more Oz than Pom
Thread Starter
 
KJCherokee's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: Brisbane northern suburbs
Posts: 1,154
KJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Engineering Qualifications in Australia

Originally Posted by Weebie
Your not an Engineer in Australia without an Engineering degree. .
Not necessarily true - I am a case in point. But the fuss I had to go through to be recognised as an engineer is not something I would wish on anyone.

When I got my HND in 1969 there were probably as many engineers in the UK with diplomas as there were with degrees. Probably all changed now since all the Colleges have become Polytechnics and the Polytechnics have become Universities.
KJCherokee is offline  
Old Mar 11th 2011, 5:26 am
  #6  
Banned
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,157
Weebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of lightWeebie is a glorious beacon of light
Default Re: Engineering Qualifications in Australia

Although I agree with what your saying there is no way now people can do a HND or Diploma or be trade qualified and call yourself an engineer. You will look silly in this country if you do.
Weebie is offline  
Old Mar 11th 2011, 7:39 am
  #7  
Forum Regular
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 40
Oz Dreaming is on a distinguished road
Default Re: Engineering Qualifications in Australia

If you are in Queensland then you need to be registered as a Registered Professional Engineer (Queensland) or RPEQ - if you are not registered then you can only work under the direct supervision of someone who is. .[/QUOTE]

I have just searched on the net and see that this is actually true. I am a Chemical Engineer who has worked for a Steel company and now an oil and gas company in Brisbane and i have never heard this ( i have been here for 2 yrs from the UK). I also dont think any of the engineers i have worked with are RPEQ registered as most have come up from Victoria. I wonder if something happened whether anyone (regulators) would actually ask for your RPEQ registration, i doubt very much.

What a money making, red tape waste of time i woule like to know how many registered engineers there actually are in QLD

Funny thing with both companies i have worked for is that the only check they did that i had a degree was my CV.

I also agree with Weebie an engineer needs a degree (although that doesnt make them better than a diploma person) However it seems that Australia does distinguish between the 2 by calling degree graduates -Professional Engineers and diploma graduates- associate engineers
Oz Dreaming is offline  
Old Mar 11th 2011, 9:32 am
  #8  
Officially Bewildered
 
Dreamy's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW
Posts: 5,523
Dreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Engineering Qualifications in Australia

Originally Posted by jimbo_d
You can't call yourself legally an Engineer in Britain without a degree either. You're not legally allowed to sign off on documentation etc as you're not qualified without a degree. Same here really, a lot of people with HND's etc call themselves engineers or designers but cannot legally sign off on work
Originally Posted by JAJ
You can if you are a Chartered Engineer.
When TheOriginalMrDreamy went to register the children's births, he wasn't able to describe his occupation as Electrical Engineer (despite being in charge of the supply in North Wales) because he'd done his training inhouse.

It pissed him off so much he started a degree course with OU.
Dreamy is offline  
Old Mar 11th 2011, 10:28 am
  #9  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 823
jimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to alljimbo_d is a name known to all
Default Re: Engineering Qualifications in Australia

Originally Posted by Dreamy
When TheOriginalMrDreamy went to register the children's births, he wasn't able to describe his occupation as Electrical Engineer (despite being in charge of the supply in North Wales) because he'd done his training inhouse.

It pissed him off so much he started a degree course with OU.
It's all about liabilities - technically an engineer is liable in most instances for their work, and if someone were to die as a result of poor design by said person he can become legally responsible for this, hence why you need to be properly qualified to sign designs etc. There was a case in Germany of a structural engineer being sued as a result of a roof collapse in an ice rink killing someone - if you're not fully qualified the personal indemnity insurance companies and individuals carry isn't valid.

To quote Dilbert - 'An engineers' main priority is to retire without causing a major catastrophe'
jimbo_d is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2011, 10:52 am
  #10  
Just Joined
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 13
RAFEng is an unknown quantity at this point
Default Re: Engineering Qualifications in Australia

A newbie here, also looking at submitting my Quals for assessment, 25 years in the aviation industry with a HND in Eng, God where do i start, looking for this list Sydney / Washington Accord of quals so i dont have to go through Engineers Australia assessment to prove equivalence.

any advice greatly recieved people

Also looks like i will need IELTS for the points, age is not on my side so the max 20 would be required, as a british passport holder and resident all my life, how hard is the test/s ???? need the 8 or 9 score.

Last edited by RAFEng; Jul 20th 2011 at 10:56 am. Reason: extra info
RAFEng is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2011, 11:54 am
  #11  
BE Forum Addict
 
bingobob777's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: Not Brisbane
Posts: 1,210
bingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Engineering Qualifications in Australia

Originally Posted by Oz Dreaming
If you are in Queensland then you need to be registered as a Registered Professional Engineer (Queensland) or RPEQ - if you are not registered then you can only work under the direct supervision of someone who is. .

Not actually true. If you don't have RPEQ you can't sign off on final drawings that's it, you can do everything else.

Curious to know how the OP got Chartered without a degree as I've been advised that even with the career assessment and proffessional review it's impossible, even for someone who has 16 years experience and who does do everything other than sign a bloody drawing. I'm working towards doing it through ICE rather than Engineers Australia because of this.

Last edited by bingobob777; Jul 20th 2011 at 11:56 am.
bingobob777 is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2011, 11:55 am
  #12  
BE Forum Addict
 
bingobob777's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: Not Brisbane
Posts: 1,210
bingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Engineering Qualifications in Australia

Originally Posted by Weebie
Although I agree with what your saying there is no way now people can do a HND or Diploma or be trade qualified and call yourself an engineer. You will look silly in this country if you do.
Just as well my employer disagrees
bingobob777 is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2011, 9:29 pm
  #13  
Almost more Oz than Pom
Thread Starter
 
KJCherokee's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: Brisbane northern suburbs
Posts: 1,154
KJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond reputeKJCherokee has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Engineering Qualifications in Australia

Originally Posted by bingobob777
Not actually true. If you don't have RPEQ you can't sign off on final drawings that's it, you can do everything else.
Comes to the same thing. If the work that you do has to be signed off by an RPEQ then he has to approve what you have done: if he doesn't he will tell you what corrections to make before he will sign it. If that isn't 'supervision' I don't know what is. I have several unregistered engineers working with me: I tell them what needs doing, then check their work when they have finished it. I let them work out how to do the job, but nothing leaves the office until I am happy with it.

Originally Posted by bingobob777
Curious to know how the OP got Chartered without a degree as I've been advised that even with the career assessment and professional review it's impossible, even for someone who has 16 years experience and who does do everything other than sign a bloody drawing. I'm working towards doing it through ICE rather than Engineers Australia because of this.
I got my MIEAust in 1984 - things have changed since then.

Last edited by KJCherokee; Jul 20th 2011 at 9:32 pm.
KJCherokee is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2011, 10:00 pm
  #14  
Officially Bewildered
 
Dreamy's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW
Posts: 5,523
Dreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond reputeDreamy has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Engineering Qualifications in Australia

Originally Posted by RAFEng
A newbie here, also looking at submitting my Quals for assessment, 25 years in the aviation industry with a HND in Eng, God where do i start, looking for this list Sydney / Washington Accord of quals so i dont have to go through Engineers Australia assessment to prove equivalence.
Here's the Engineers Australia page on the Washington/Sydney Accords:

Washington/Sydney Accord
Dreamy is offline  
Old Jul 20th 2011, 10:18 pm
  #15  
BE Forum Addict
 
bingobob777's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: Not Brisbane
Posts: 1,210
bingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond reputebingobob777 has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Engineering Qualifications in Australia

[QUOTE=KJCherokee;9507915]Comes to the same thing. If the work that you do has to be signed off by an RPEQ then he has to approve what you have done: if he doesn't he will tell you what corrections to make before he will sign it. If that isn't 'supervision' I don't know what is. I have several unregistered engineers working with me: I tell them what needs doing, then check their work when they have finished it. I let them work out how to do the job, but nothing leaves the office until I am happy with it.

Still a load of garbage, I was able to sign off designs that allowed trains to run at 200km/hr in UK and here need someone with less experience but an RPEQ to sign off a 130km/hr design.

Its a jobs for the boys thing only.
bingobob777 is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.