Simple advice to get it right the first time

Starting your migration journey?

If you’re planning to migrate to Australia as an engineer, you probably already know how important your CDR report is. But there’s something that sometimes gets overlooked—and it’s actually one of the first things you should decide: your ANZSCO code.

When I helped a friend draft their CDR, I realised how choosing the wrong ANZSCO code could cause delays, rejections, or just unnecessary stress. Here’s what I’ve learned about choosing the right code—and why getting support from a CDR Report Writer or Cdr Writer Australia can help.

What is an ANZSCO code?

ANZSCO stands for Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. It’s a system that groups jobs into codes based on what the work involves.

Each engineering occupation has its own code, description, and list of typical tasks. When you submit your CDR to Engineers Australia, you have to choose which ANZSCO code matches your real work experience.

Why it matters for your CDR report

Your ANZSCO code shapes everything in your CDR report:

✅ It decides which skills and competencies Engineers Australia expects to see
✅ It guides what projects you describe in your Career Episodes
✅ It affects your visa eligibility, because different codes are on different skilled occupation lists

If your projects don’t clearly show that you do the tasks listed under the code you chose, your CDR might get rejected—even if you’re an experienced engineer.

Step 1: Read the ANZSCO descriptions carefully

When I first checked the codes, I realised it’s easy to pick one based on the title alone. But what matters more is the detailed description: what tasks, skills, and responsibilities are expected.

For example, the difference between “Civil Engineer” and “Structural Engineer” might sound small—but the focus and typical tasks can be very different.

Step 2: Match your real experience, not your ideal job title

It’s tempting to choose the code that sounds better or feels more senior. But Engineers Australia wants to see evidence of what you’ve actually done.

Look back over your last few years of projects and ask yourself:

• Do my projects match the tasks listed under this code?

• Can I write three Career Episodes that clearly show this?

• Do I have documents or drawings that prove it?

If the answer is yes, it’s probably the right code.

Step 3: Check which list your code is on

Your ANZSCO code also affects your visa options. Some codes are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), while others might be on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).

A good Cdr Writer Australia can help you understand how your code choice fits into your migration goals.

Step 4: Get professional advice if you’re unsure

Even after reading everything, it can still feel confusing. That’s where working with a CDR Report Writer helps.

They won’t choose for you, but they can:

✅ Review your project history and highlight which code fits best
✅ Check that your Career Episodes show tasks matching your chosen code
✅ Help rewrite sections to focus on your real contribution

In my friend’s case, this saved weeks of rewriting later.

Step 5: Keep your Career Episodes focused

Once you’ve chosen your code, each Career Episode should show how your work fits that occupation.

Use clear language to explain:

• What you did (use “I” not “we”)

• Why it matters

• How it matches the tasks listed under your ANZSCO code

For example, if your code focuses on design, include detailed design tasks and technical decisions—not just project management.

Step 6: Remember it’s your story

Your CDR report isn’t about writing what you think Engineers Australia wants to hear—it’s about your real experience.

Even if you get help from a professional Cdr Writer Australia, the best reports come from honest, detailed stories about your actual work.

Final thoughts

Choosing the right ANZSCO code isn’t just a small formality—it’s the foundation of your whole migration application.

A good fit between your code and your CDR makes your skills clearer, your story stronger, and your migration pathway smoother.

And if you’re ever unsure, talking to a trusted CDR Report Writer or Cdr Writer Australia can save you time, stress, and help you put your real experience into words that match the standards.

At the end of the day, your work speaks for itself—you just need to help it speak the right language.