With professional engineers registration rolling out across the ACT, Engineers Australia has compiled key information to help you get registered.
We will be hosting free webinars over the next few months to provide an overview of the scheme, timelines for registration in each area of engineering and the registration process itself.
You can attend our next ACT registration information webinar on Thursday 4 April at 12.30 pm AEDT. And read our guide below for a head start.
Steps to apply for registration in the ACT
State registration is a two-step process.
- First, you need to have your qualifications, experience and competence assessed by an approved assessment entity such as Engineers Australia and obtain an assessment outcome letter.
- Next, you need to use the assessment outcome letter to apply for state registration with the ACT Government.
Getting assessed by Engineers Australia
If you are already on the National Engineering Register (NER) or Chartered in one of the statutory areas of engineering, and don’t work in the building and construction industry, you can request an outcome letter by emailing us.
Outcome letters for ACT registration eligibility cannot be downloaded from the Engineers Australia portal at this stage. An NER or Chartered certificate is not an “outcome letter” and will not be accepted by the ACT Government for registration purposes.
If you work in the building and construction industry, you will also need a Building Industry Endorsement. This is an additional assessment that can be done by Engineers Australia. Please email us to request one.
Non-members can also apply to be assessed by Engineers Australia by sending us an email.
Automatic mutual recognition and mutual recognition
Depending on where you live, you may be entitled to work in the ACT as a registered professional engineer under Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR). AMR will apply from 6 March 2025 when it becomes mandatory to be registered in the ACT to provide professional engineering services in the prescribed areas of engineering.
Before considering mutual recognition, read this important recognition information on the ACT Government website.
ACT registration timeline
The first phase of registration opened on 6 March 2024 for those providing professional engineering services in the civil and structural areas of engineering.
The second phase is planned to open in July 2024 for professional mechanical engineers.
Registration for electrical and fire safety engineers will open in November 2024.
From 6 March 2025, all professional engineers in these areas of engineering will be required to be registered and will be subject to compliance and enforcement activity.