A CDR Report is a crucial document for engineers seeking skilled migration to Australia. Engineers Australia (EA) assesses the CDR to determine if an applicant's qualifications and work experience meet Australian engineering standards.

However, many applicants receive CDR rejections due to common mistakes that violate EA’s guidelines. Understanding these reasons can help you avoid rejection and increase your chances of a successful Migration Skills Assessment (MSA).

Why Does Engineers Australia Reject CDRs?

Here are the top 10 reasons why Engineers Australia rejects CDR report:

1. Plagiarism and Copied Content

🚫 Issue: Many applicants copy content from online sources or sample reports.
🔴 Impact: Engineers Australia uses plagiarism detection software (Turnitin). If plagiarism is detected, your application may be rejected or banned for 12 months.
✅ Solution: Write original content in your own words. Use plagiarism detection tools before submission.

2. Poor Career Episode Writing

🚫 Issue: Career Episodes that lack clarity, structure, or technical relevance.
🔴 Impact: EA assesses your individual contributions—a weak Career Episode can lead to rejection.
✅ Solution: Follow the required format:
✔ Introduction – Mention project title, organization, and role.
✔ Background – Explain project objectives and challenges.
✔ Personal Engineering Activity – Showcase problem-solving, methodologies, and results.
✔ Summary – Highlight outcomes and your key learnings.

3. Lack of Technical Depth and Engineering Details

🚫 Issue: Career Episodes that focus on management or general tasks instead of technical engineering details.
🔴 Impact: EA needs to see your engineering problem-solving abilities, not just administrative tasks.
✅ Solution: Include calculations, methodologies, tools, and technical problem-solving in your Career Episodes.

4. Incorrect ANZSCO Code Selection

🚫 Issue: Choosing an ANZSCO code that does not match your engineering experience.
🔴 Impact: Your CDR may be rejected because your projects don’t align with the selected occupation.
✅ Solution: Select an ANZSCO code that accurately reflects your qualifications and experience.

🔹 Example: If you worked as a Software Engineer (261313) but applied as a Network Engineer (263111), EA may reject your CDR.

5. Not Following Engineers Australia’s Guidelines

🚫 Issue: Ignoring Engineers Australia’s Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) booklet guidelines.
🔴 Impact: EA follows strict formatting and assessment criteria—failure to comply leads to rejection.
✅ Solution: Read and follow the latest EA guidelines available on the official website.

6. Writing Career Episodes in a Team-Based Format

🚫 Issue: Describing team achievements instead of your individual contributions.
🔴 Impact: Engineers Australia assesses your competencies, not your team’s.
✅ Solution: Use first-person writing ("I designed", "I implemented") to emphasize your contributions.

🔹 Wrong: "We designed a new bridge structure."
🔹 Correct: "I conducted structural analysis and designed a reinforced concrete bridge."

7. Excessive Use of Non-Technical Content

🚫 Issue: Writing too much about project management, team coordination, or business strategies.
🔴 Impact: EA requires engineering competencies, not general management tasks.
✅ Solution: Focus on technical engineering work, including tools, technologies, and methodologies.

8. Poorly Written Summary Statement

🚫 Issue: Failing to map competencies correctly from Career Episodes to the Engineers Australia competency elements.
🔴 Impact: The Summary Statement is one of the most critical parts of your CDR—errors here lead to rejection.
✅ Solution: Carefully map your competencies using the correct paragraph references (CE 1.3, CE 2.5, etc.).

9. Insufficient or Missing Evidence

🚫 Issue: Failure to provide supporting documents, such as work experience letters and academic transcripts.
🔴 Impact: EA requires proof of qualifications and work experience—missing documents may lead to rejection.
✅ Solution: Attach the following:
✔ Verified academic transcripts.
✔ Employer reference letters.
✔ Payslips, tax records, or other employment proof.

10. Grammar and Formatting Issues

🚫 Issue: Poor language, grammatical errors, and lack of clarity in writing.
🔴 Impact: Engineers Australia expects clear, professional, and well-structured reports.
✅ Solution: Use grammar tools (Grammarly, Hemingway Editor) and have your report reviewed by a professional before submission.

How to Avoid CDR Rejection?

✔ Follow Engineers Australia’s Guidelines – Read the MSA booklet carefully.
✔ Choose the Right ANZSCO Code – Ensure it matches your qualifications and experience.
✔ Write Original Content – Avoid plagiarism; use your own words.
✔ Focus on Technical Details – Highlight engineering calculations, tools, and methodologies.
✔ Use First-Person Writing – Emphasize your personal contributions.
✔ Proofread and Format Properly – Check for grammar and clarity.
✔ Submit Required Documents – Ensure all supporting materials are included.

CDR rejection can be avoided by following Engineers Australia’s guidelines, focusing on technical competencies, and submitting original, well-structured reports. If you're unsure, consider CDR review services to improve your submission quality.