Engineers Australia has established recognition agreements with engineering bodies around the world. If you’re a member of a reciprocal organisation, the agreement 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 agreement, 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.
The agreements only apply to members who have been admitted to their home organisation via approved admission procedures. The agreements do not apply to members who have joined their home organisation through a recognition agreement with another body.
An update on recognition agreements
There are a number of agreements which are currently subject to renewal. During this period, recognition may not apply.
We have agreed to move these agreements 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 agreements in place in the following countries.
Engineers Canada is the peak body with which Engineers Australia has signed a recognition agreement, however provincial regulators are responsible for licensing engineering professionals in Canada. Each provincial regulator has the discretion to approve and implement the recognition pathway.
Two provincial regulators – Ordre des Ingenieurs du Quebec (OIQ) and Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) – have not approved this agreement. Engineers Canada engineers, licensed by OIQ or PEO, are not eligible for the recognition pathway.
Commission des Titres d’lngenieur (CTI)
This is not a full agreement. 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 recognition agreement with Japan is a joint one between The Institution of Professional Engineers, Japan (IPEJ) and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
The Institution of Engineers Indonesia (PII)
The status of Persatuan Insinyur Indonesia (PII), as an organisation representing Indonesia at International Engineering Alliance (IEA) APEC Agreement, changed from Authorised Member to Conditional Member at the IEA meeting in July 2025.
Only PII engineers who obtained their APEC registration prior to 1 July 2025 are eligible will be able to apply through the recognition pathway. Applications submitted before this announcement will be processed as normal.
Engineering New Zealand (EngNZ)
As part of their recognition application, Engineering New Zealand (EngNZ) Chartered engineers are required to submit a statement how they demonstrating how they meet Stage 2 Competency Element 7 (‘Meet legal and regulatory requirements’).
The Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES)
The recognition agreement between Engineers Australia and the Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES) has expired. While both organisations are committed to renewing the agreement, Engineers Australia cannot accept new recognition applications after 31 March 2026 until renewed agreement is signed.
Applications submitted before that date will continue to be processed as normal.
Colegio de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos (CICCP)
This is not a full recognition agreement. 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 recognition agreement. 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.
Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE)
The recognition agreements between Engineers Australia and The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), The Chartered Institution of Building Engineers (CIBSE), The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), The Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA), The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) have expired.
While organisations are committed to renewing the agreements, Engineers Australia cannot accept new recognition applications after 29 May 2026 until renewed agreements are signed.
Applications submitted before that date will continue to be processed as normal.
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.