Australian PR Points for Civil Engineering Technician, ANZSCO 312212
Civil Engineering Technicians (ANZSCO 312212) are on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). Under VETASSESS's own occupation description, the role covers testing and evaluating construction materials and soils, collecting and analysing field and laboratory data, setting up geotechnical instruments, and preparing sketches, tabulations, and cost estimates in support of Civil Engineering Professionals and Engineering Technologists. That's a materially different, more hands-on and site/lab-based role than a Civil Engineer (233211), who takes design and project responsibility, or a Civil Engineering Draftsperson (312211), whose work centres on CAD drafting rather than materials testing. This page shows your personalised points score across all three visa pathways with Civil Engineering Technician-specific context.
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
Civil Engineering Technician, MLTSSL status
No recent occupation-specific SkillSelect invitation data has been published for ANZSCO 312212. Check the Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect reports directly for current cutoffs.
→ Explore the 189 pathwaySubclass 190: State Nominated
With +5 state nomination points
No occupation-specific 190 cutoff data has been published for this code. States like QLD, NSW, WA, and SA have historically nominated this occupation, but always check current state criteria.
→ Explore the 190 pathwaySubclass 491: Regional
With +15 regional bonus points
The +15 regional bonus makes 491 highly accessible for Civil Engineering Technicians, particularly in construction hubs across QLD, NSW, and WA.
→ Explore the regional pathwayYour Civil Engineering Technician Score Across All Three Visa Pathways
| Subclass 189 | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|
| Nomination bonus | +0 | +5 | +15 |
| Occupation-specific cutoff | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Occupation list | MLTSSL | MLTSSL | MLTSSL |
| Primary assessing body | VETASSESS | VETASSESS | VETASSESS |
Note: The Department of Home Affairs does not consistently publish official occupation-specific cutoffs. Invitation cutoffs vary by round and occupation ceiling, and historical figures do not guarantee future outcomes.
→ See our monthly invitation round tracker for latest resultsSkills Assessment for Civil Engineering Technician
A positive skills assessment is mandatory before you can submit an EOI in SkillSelect.
Civil Engineering Technician (ANZSCO 312212) is assessed by VETASSESS
| Assessing body | VETASSESS |
| Official portal | vetassess.com.au |
| Processing time | 7 weeks (standard) or 10 business days (priority, once your application is accepted as lodged) |
| Full assessment fee | AUD 1,146 (excl. GST) since VETASSESS's September 2026 fee increase, plus AUD 863 (excl. GST) if you add priority processing |
| Assessment type | Professional Occupations stream (qualifications + employment assessment) |
| Skill Level | Skill Level 2 (AQF Diploma or higher generally required) |
VETASSESS recognises four separate qualification-and-employment combinations for a positive outcome on this occupation, so it's worth checking which one fits before you apply:
- AQF Diploma in Civil Engineering or Civil Design (or a highly relevant field) + 1 year of closely related post-qualification employment.
- AQF Diploma in a related field plus a Certificate IV in Civil Design + 1 year of closely related post-qualification employment.
- AQF Diploma in an unrelated field + 2 years of closely related post-qualification employment.
- No AQF Diploma at all + 4 years of closely related employment (including at least 1 year highly relevant), within the 5 years before you apply.
All pathways require a minimum of 20 hours' work per week to count toward the employment component. Confirm the exact pathway and current documentation checklist on VETASSESS's own site, as requirements are reviewed periodically.
⚠ Warning: Your skills assessment must remain valid at the time you RECEIVE your Invitation to Apply, not just when you submit your EOI. VETASSESS assessments are typically valid for 3 years. If your assessment is approaching expiry, apply for renewal before your EOI lapses.
State Nomination for Civil Engineering Technicians
State nomination adds +5 points (190) or +15 points (491). Not all states nominate all occupations in all rounds.
| State | 190 Available? | 491 Available? | Notes |
|---|
| NSW | Check current program | Check current program | Historically strong infrastructure demand; confirm current status on the NSW skilled migration portal. |
| VIC | Check current program | Check current program | Subject to regular list updates. |
| QLD | Listed on QSOL | Listed on QSOL | Civil Engineering Technician appears on Queensland's current offshore Skilled Occupation List — confirm the exact QSOL tier and points threshold on migration.qld.gov.au, as tiers change between rounds. |
| SA | Check current program | Check current program | Check specific regional requirements. |
| WA | Check current program | Check current program | Often differentiates General vs Regional streams. |
| TAS | Check current program | Check current program | Varies by round. |
| ACT | Check current program | Check current program | Canberra matrix applies. |
| NT | Check current program | Check current program | Check NT migration list. |
Note: State occupation lists are updated periodically and states can suspend applications or alter criteria at any time. Do not state that a state currently nominates this occupation unless confirmed by the official state portal.
Ensure you review current residency and employment requirements before submitting a state nomination expression of interest.
How to Improve Your Score as a Civil Engineering Technician
Personalised to ANZSCO 312212, the improvements with the highest impact for your specific occupation.
1. Superior English
Moving from Proficient (IELTS 7.0) to Superior (IELTS 8.0/PTE 79) adds 10 points, the single fastest gain available regardless of occupation. For Civil Engineering Technicians, this typically makes 189 highly competitive.
→ How to maximise your score2. State Nomination (190)
Adding 5 points through state nomination is highly viable for Civil Engineering Technicians when their state includes them, though no occupation-specific 190 cutoff data is published — check current state criteria for the base score they're seeking.
→ State nomination in detail3. Australian Work Experience
Gaining at least one year of local work experience adds 5 points and makes you a much more attractive candidate for state nomination, as site-based construction experience is valued.
→ Points improvement guide| Strategy | Points Gained | Time Required | Reform Risk |
|---|
| Superior English (if at Proficient) | +10 | 2-6 months | Low |
| State nomination (190) | +5 | 2-12 weeks | Low |
| Regional sponsorship (491) | +15 | 2-12 weeks | Low |
| Australian work exp (1 more year) | +5 | 1 year | Low |
| NAATI CCL (if bilingual) | +5 | 3-6 months | Medium |
How the 2026 Reform Affects Civil Engineering Technicians
⚠ The 2026 points test reform is proposed, not yet legislated. The current Schedule 6D system remains fully in effect.
Construction and infrastructure have been named as priority sectors in public discussion of the 2026-27 reform proposal, and reported changes include a possible lift of the minimum pass mark from 65 to 70 points alongside a new salary-based bonus. None of this is legislated yet, and draft legislation isn't expected until closer to the proposed 1 July 2027 start date. Treat any claim about how Civil Engineering Technicians specifically will fare under a future system as informed speculation, not settled fact.
→ Learn more about the 2026 points test reform