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Australia PR for Electrical Engineers from Sri Lanka (2026 Guide)
Yes. Electrical Engineer (ANZSCO 233311) is an eligible occupation for Australian skilled visas. A Sri Lankan electrical engineer needs a positive skills assessment from Engineers Australia, at least competent English, a minimum of 65 points and an invitation before turning 45. The main PR pathways are the subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas.
Can an Electrical Engineer from Sri Lanka Get PR in Australia?
Yes. PR for an electrical engineer in Australia is possible through the skilled migration program. However, you must meet four basic rules first:
- Skills assessment: a positive result from Engineers Australia as an Electrical Engineer
- Age: under 45 when you are invited to apply
- English: at least IELTS 6 in each band, or an equal score in another accepted test
- Points: at least 65 points on the Australian points test
These rules only let you enter the pool. After that, you compete with other applicants on points.
What Is the Electrical Engineer Australia Code (ANZSCO 233311)?
Every occupation has an ANZSCO code, and you must choose the one that matches your real duties. For electrical engineers, the code is 233311. Related codes are different occupations with different rules:
| Occupation | ANZSCO code | Typical work |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineer | 233311 | Power generation, distribution, electrical design and control systems |
| Electronics Engineer | 233411 | Electronic circuits, devices and components |
| Engineering Technologist | 233914 | Applied engineering work, often with a three-year degree |
| Electrical Engineering Technician | 312312 | Testing and support work under an engineer |
Engineers Australia decides your category from your degree and your work. Therefore, a four-year degree in electrical engineering does not guarantee an Electrical Engineer outcome if your duties do not match.
Are Electrical Engineers in Demand in Australia?
Electrical engineering is a large profession in Australia. According to Jobs and Skills Australia, about 33,100 electrical engineers are employed in the country, and their median age is 35.
The occupation is also on the skilled occupation lists used for the 189, 190 and 491 visas. However, demand changes by state and by year. For this reason, check the current Occupation Shortage List from Jobs and Skills Australia before you decide.
Electrical Engineer PR Pathway: 189, 190, 491 or Employer Sponsored?
Electrical engineers have four main routes. The best one depends on your points and whether you have an employer.
| Visa | Type | Who nominates you | Extra points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 189 | Permanent | No one; points only | 0 |
| Subclass 190 | Permanent | A state or territory government | 5 |
| Subclass 491 | Provisional, with a pathway to PR | A state or territory, or an eligible family member | 15 |
| Subclass 482, then 186 | Temporary work visa, then permanent | An Australian employer | Not points-tested |
Engineers Australia Skills Assessment for Electrical Engineers from Sri Lanka
Engineers Australia is the authority that assesses electrical engineers for Australia immigration. Your pathway depends on your degree.
Is your Sri Lankan degree recognised?
The Institution of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL) joined the Washington Accord in 2014. As a result, if your four-year degree is IESL-accredited and you graduated in or after 2014, you can usually use the simpler Accord pathway.
Otherwise, you need a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR). In a CDR, you describe your own engineering projects so the assessor can judge your skills.
Fees and processing time
- Accord qualification assessment: AUD 505, or AUD 555.50 with GST
- With skilled employment assessment: AUD 940, or AUD 1,034 with GST
- Processing: about 15 weeks to be assigned to an assessor; a paid fast-track option exists
CDR assessments cost more. The outcome letter does not expire with Engineers Australia, but Home Affairs applies its own time limits for visa purposes.
Electrical Engineer PR Points in Australia: How Many Do You Need?
The legal minimum is 65 points. The main points are:
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Age 25 to 32 | 30 |
| Age 18 to 24, or 33 to 39 | 25 |
| Age 40 to 44 | 15 |
| English: competent / proficient / superior | 0 / 10 / 20 |
| Overseas skilled work: 3 to 4 / 5 to 7 / 8+ years | 5 / 10 / 15 |
| Bachelor's degree | 15 |
| Single applicant | 10 |
| State nomination (190) / regional nomination (491) | 5 / 15 |
Example: a single 28-year-old engineer with a Bachelor's degree, IELTS 8 in each band and three years of experience scores 30 + 15 + 20 + 5 + 10 = 80 points. With a 190 nomination this becomes 85, and with a 491 nomination it becomes 95.
In the 4 June 2026 round, minimum scores ranged from 65 to 100 points depending on the occupation, and engineers generally needed more than the minimum. Therefore, a higher English score is often the fastest way to gain points. Our IELTS and PTE training can help.
What Is the Electrical Engineer Salary in Australia?
The median full-time pay for electrical engineers in Australia is AUD 2,553 per week before tax, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. This is higher than the median of AUD 1,852 for all occupations.
- Per week: AUD 2,553
- Per month: about AUD 11,000
- Per year: about AUD 132,700
Monthly and yearly figures are calculated from the weekly median. A median means half of engineers earn less, so new migrants often start below it.
Can an Electrical Engineer Work as an Electrician in Australia?
No, not with an engineering degree alone. Electricians do hands-on wiring and installation work, and this work needs an electrical licence from the state or territory regulator. An engineering degree does not give you that licence.
Electrician is also a separate occupation for migration, with its own code and its own trade skills assessment. Therefore, choose your occupation carefully before you apply.
Do Electrical Engineers Need Registration to Work in Australia?
It depends on the state. Queensland has the strictest rule. There, you must be a Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) to carry out professional engineering services, unless you work under the direct supervision of an RPEQ.
In practice, most new migrants start under supervision and apply for registration later. Other states require registration only for engineers in particular industries, so check the rules for the state you choose.
How to Get an Electrical Engineer Job in Australia from Sri Lanka
PR gives you the right to work, but it does not give you a job. Many new migrants find that employers ask for local experience. To improve your electrical engineer job prospects in Australia:
- Rewrite your CV in the Australian style, with results and numbers
- Learn the Australian wiring rules and standards used in your field
- Target sectors that hire electrical engineers, such as power utilities, mines, renewable energy, rail and building services
- Consider regional areas, where competition can be lower
- Ask each employer who will supervise your work until you are registered
- Save enough money to cover several months of job search
Read more on our Australia visa for engineers and work in Australia pages.
How Much Does Australia PR Cost for Electrical Engineers?
Plan for these main costs in Australian dollars:
- Engineers Australia assessment: AUD 505 to AUD 1,034 on the Accord pathway; more for a CDR
- Visa application charge: about AUD 6,135 for the 189 visa and AUD 6,140 for the 190 and 491 visas, from 1 July 2026
- Family members: an extra charge for each partner and child
- Other costs: English test, medical exams, police certificates and translations
Visa charges usually change every 1 July. Confirm the exact amount on the Home Affairs visa pricing page before you pay.
How to Apply for Australia PR as an Electrical Engineer: Step by Step
- Check your degree. Confirm IESL accreditation and your graduation year.
- Take an English test. Aim for proficient or superior English.
- Apply to Engineers Australia through the Accord or CDR pathway.
- Calculate your points. Only claim points you can prove.
- Submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect.
- Apply for state nomination, if you want the 190 or 491 visa.
- Receive an invitation and lodge your visa application on time.
- Complete health and character checks and wait for the decision.
See all options on our Australia immigration page.
Talk to an Australia PR Consultant in Sri Lanka
Share your degree, graduation year, experience and English score. A GIEC Global counsellor will estimate your points and suggest the right visa.
FAQs: Australia PR for Electrical Engineers from Sri Lanka
Can a Sri Lankan electrical engineer get PR in Australia?
Yes. Electrical Engineer is an eligible occupation for the 189, 190 and 491 visas. You need a positive skills assessment, competent English and at least 65 points.
What is the ANZSCO code for Electrical Engineer?
The code is 233311. Electronics Engineer is a different occupation with the code 233411.
Who does the skills assessment for electrical engineers?
Engineers Australia. It is authorised by the Department of Home Affairs to assess engineers for migration.
Is my Sri Lankan electrical engineering degree recognised in Australia?
If your degree is IESL-accredited and you graduated in or after 2014, it is usually recognised under the Washington Accord. Otherwise you need a CDR.
How many PR points does an electrical engineer need in Australia?
The minimum is 65 points. In practice, electrical engineers usually need a higher score to receive a 189 invitation.
Are electrical engineers in demand in Australia?
About 33,100 electrical engineers work in Australia and the occupation is on the skilled lists. Demand varies by state, so check the current shortage list.
How many electrical engineers are there in Australia?
Jobs and Skills Australia reports about 33,100 employed electrical engineers, with a median age of 35.
What is the average salary of an electrical engineer in Australia?
The median full-time pay is AUD 2,553 per week before tax, which is about AUD 132,700 per year.
What is the electrical engineer salary in Australia per month?
About AUD 11,000 per month before tax, calculated from the weekly median of AUD 2,553.
Can an electrical engineer work as an electrician in Australia?
No, not with a degree alone. Electrician work needs a state electrical licence, and Electrician is a separate occupation for migration.
Do electrical engineers need registration in Australia?
In Queensland you must be an RPEQ or work under the direct supervision of one. Other states require registration only in particular industries.
Do I need a job offer for Australia PR as an electrical engineer?
Not for the 189 visa. Some states ask for a job offer for nomination, and the 482 and 186 visas always need an employer.
What IELTS score do electrical engineers need for Australia PR?
The minimum is IELTS 6 in each band. IELTS 7 in each band adds 10 points, and IELTS 8 in each band adds 20 points.
How long does the Engineers Australia assessment take?
A standard application generally takes about 15 weeks to be assigned to an assessor. A paid fast-track service is available.
How much is the Australia PR visa fee in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the charge is about AUD 6,135 for the 189 visa and AUD 6,140 for the 190 and 491 visas for the main applicant. Family members cost extra.
