Unleash Your Potential as Environmental Engineer (ANZSCO 233915)

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER - ANZSCO 233915
Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers design solutions that protect and improve the natural environment, working on water and wastewater treatment, waste management, pollution control, and renewable energy systems. They assess environmental impacts and develop systems that meet regulatory and sustainability standards.
Their work combines site assessments and monitoring with modelling and design in the office, where they plan treatment systems, evaluate renewable energy and emissions-reduction projects, and work with regulators and communities to deliver environmentally responsible infrastructure.
| ANZSCO Code | Skill Level | Assessing Authority | Occupation List Inclusion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 233915 | Skill Level 1 (Bachelor Degree or higher) | Engineers Australia (EA) | Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) & Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) |
| Skilled Occupation | ANZSCO Code | Assessing Authority | Permanent / GSM | 489 / 491 Visa | Employer Sponsorship | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189 Visa | 190 Visa | State | Family | 186 Visa (DE) | 186 Visa | 482 / 457 All Area | 482 / 457 Regional Area | |||
| Environmental Engineer | 233915 | Engineers Australia | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa processing times-months (75%) | 9 | 9 | - | - | 10 | 17 | 5 | 5 | ||
| Visa processing times-months (90%) | 12 | 12 | - | - | 15 | 19 | 11 | 11 | ||
To obtain a positive skills assessment from Engineers Australia, applicants wishing to be assessed as an Environmental Engineer MAY need to submit a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR).
| Invitation Round | 189 Visa Points Score | 491 Visa (Provisional Family Sponsored) Points Score |
|---|---|---|
| 11/08/2020 (Current) | 90 | 75 |
| 14/07/2020 (Previous) | 90 | 95 |
This unit group covers Engineering Professionals not elsewhere classified, including Aeronautical Engineers, Agricultural Engineers, Biomedical Engineers, Building Services Engineers, Engineering Technologists, Environmental Engineers, and Naval Architects. They plan, design, organize, and oversee engineering projects across specialized technological domains. Registration or licensing may be required.
Indicative Skill Level:
In Australia and New Zealand:
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). Exceptions for Australian Graduates apply in some states/territories.
Tasks Include:
- assessing the environmental impact of engineering developments, land clearing, infrastructure projects, and industrial emissions
- designing municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants, air pollution control systems, and hazardous waste containment sites
- developing soil and groundwater remediation strategies for contaminated industrial sites
- conducting air, water, and soil quality monitoring programs using field sampling protocols and laboratory analytics
- advising industries and public authorities on environmental compliance, sustainability guidelines, and carbon reduction schemes
- evaluating resource recovery technologies, recycling systems, and solid waste disposal facilities
- modeling hydrologic and hydrogeologic processes to prevent erosion, runoff contamination, and groundwater depletion
- preparing Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), compliance management plans, and regulatory audit reports
Occupations:
- Aeronautical Engineer
- Agricultural Engineer
- Biomedical Engineer
- Engineering Technologist
- Environmental Engineer
- Naval Architect
| State / Territory | 190 Visa Sponsorship | 491 / 489 Visa Sponsorship | Key Requirements & Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Australia (SA) | ✓ | ✓ | Available to SA international graduates, OR applicants who worked in a skilled occupation in SA, OR have an immediate family member permanently residing in SA, OR high points stream. 1 year skilled work experience in past 3 years. Financial capacity, age ≤ 45, Competent Plus English. |
| Victoria (VIC) | ✓ | ✓ | IELTS 7.0 in each band minimum (or equivalent). Minimum work experience requirement applies unless exempted. Target sector employment in regional Victoria preferred. |
| Western Australia (WA) | ✓ | ✓ | State nomination available for General and Graduate streams subject to occupation demand lists. |
| Tasmania (TAS) | ✓ | ✓ | Formal job offer required for overseas applicants. Must meet residence history guidelines in Tasmania without residing in another Australian state/territory recently. |
| Visa Subclass | Visa Stream / Category | Pathway Type | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 189 | Skilled Independent Visa | Direct Permanent Residency (PR) | Points-tested (Min. 65 pts), invitation required, under 45 years. |
| Subclass 190 | Skilled Nominated Visa | State Nominated PR | State nomination required (+5 points bonus), commitment to live/work in nominating state. |
| Subclass 491 | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) | 5-Year Provisional (PR 191 Pathway) | Nomination by regional state or family sponsorship (+15 points bonus), 3-year regional requirement. |
| Subclass 482 | Skills in Demand Visa (TSS) | Employer Sponsored Temporary Work | Sponsorship by Australian employer, Core or Specialist Skills stream. |
| Subclass 186 | Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS DE) | Employer Nominated PR | Requires employer nomination, positive EA assessment, and relevant work experience. |
Engineers Australia requires high-resolution colour PDF scans of the following original documents:
- Identification: Current passport bio-page, official national identity card, and standard passport photo.
- Academic Credentials: Bachelor degree certificate in Environmental, Civil & Environmental, or Bio-resource Engineering, full academic transcripts, and official syllabus/course outline.
- Employment Evidence: Official work reference letters on company letterhead (detailing job title, weekly working hours, supervisor details, salary, and detailed environmental engineering duties), tax returns, employment contracts, and pay slips.
- English Test Report: Official scorecard for IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT.
- CDR Deliverables: CPD record, 3 Career Episodes, Summary Statement, and tailored CV/Resume.
Applicants holding non-accredited qualifications must submit a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) mapped to EA Stage 1 Competencies:
A detailed table listing technical education, software skills (AERMOD, HEC-RAS, GIS, BioWin), ISO 14001 environmental management standards, site safety procedures, and professional body memberships.
Technical narrative accounts (1,000–2,500 words each) written in the first person ("I evaluated", "I designed", "I managed"):
- CE 1: Design and engineering of a wastewater treatment plant, stormwater management plan, or industrial effluent treatment system.
- CE 2: Contaminated land assessment, soil remediation design, or groundwater pollution containment strategy.
- CE 3: Preparation of a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or air quality monitoring/emissions control system implementation.
A comprehensive cross-referencing matrix linking your Career Episode paragraphs directly to EA Stage 1 competency elements.
A professionally structured CV highlighting your engineering roles, project scope, technical software skills, and professional achievements.
| Test Name | Competent English (EA Minimum Requirement) | Proficient English (+10 Points) | Superior English (+20 Points) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / General | 6.0 in L, R, W; 7.0 in Speaking & Overall | 7.0 in each band | 8.0 in each band |
| PTE Academic | 50 in L, R, W; 65 in Speaking & Overall | 65 in each section | 79 in each section |
| TOEFL iBT | L:12, R:13, W:21, S:23 (Overall 93) | L:24, R:24, W:27, S:23 | L:28, R:29, W:30, S:26 |
| Category / Authority | Assessment or Application Type | Fee (AUD incl. GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Engineers Australia | Standard CDR Assessment Pathway | $1,001.00 |
| Engineers Australia | Washington / Sydney / Dublin Accord Pathway | $539.00 |
| Engineers Australia | Fast Track Service (20 Business Days) | $385.00 |
| Engineers Australia | Relevant Skilled Employment Assessment | $517.00 |
| Department of Home Affairs | Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Base Application Charge | $6,135.00 |
| Department of Home Affairs | Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Base Charge | $6,140.00 |
| Department of Home Affairs | Subclass 491 Regional Base Charge | $4,640.00 |
| Department of Home Affairs | Subclass 482 Skills Shortage Base Charge | $3,035.00 - $4,015.00 |