Mechanical Engineering Technician – ANZSCO 312512

Mechanical Engineering Technician (ANZSCO 312512) is a skill level 2 occupation assessed by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) for Australian skilled migration. It is on the STSOL, CSOL lists and can be used for subclass 190, subclass 491, subclass 482, subclass 186, subclass 494, subclass 407. 7 of 8 states and territories currently nominate it.

Open Mechanical Engineering Technician in the interactive ANZSCO search · Book a free migration assessment

Quick facts

ANZSCO code: 312512
Skill level: 2 – Associate degree, advanced diploma or diploma, or at least 3 years of relevant experience.
Assessing authority: TRA
Occupation lists: STSOL, CSOL
English test for skills assessment: Not required
ANZSCO unit group: 3125 Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians

Caveats apply to this occupation for some visas (for example minimum salary, business size or excluded positions). Check the caveat notes on the Home Affairs occupation list.

Mechanical Engineering Technician job description and duties

Conducts tests of mechanical systems, collects and analyses data, and assembles and installs mechanical assemblies in support of Mechanical Engineers and Engineering Technologists.

Specialisations: Boiler Testing Technician, Hydraulic Controls Technician, Mechanical Laboratory Technician, Pipe Testing Technician

Tasks include

Preparing drawings, plans and designs for mechanical engineering work under the direction of Mechanical Engineers and Engineering Technologists
Assisting Mechanical Engineers and Engineering Technologists in the design of mechanical equipment and plant
Selecting tools and equipment
Assembling and installing new and modified mechanical assemblies, components, machine tools and controls, and hydraulic power systems
Estimating material costs and quantities, and machine requirements
Performing and directing field and laboratory tests
Collecting and analysing data, carrying out complex computations and preparing diagrams
Organising and supervising inspection and maintenance of machines and plant
Ensuring that designs and finished work are within specifications, regulations and contract provisions

Education and skill level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. In Australia: AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2) In New Zealand: NZQF Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2) At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

What the assessing authority expects: Trade qualification or apprenticeship plus paid employment in the trade, assessed by TRA.

Visa options for Mechanical Engineering Technician

Eligible means the occupation is on a list the visa accepts. You still need to meet every other requirement.

Subclass 189 Skilled Independent: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL)
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 491F Skilled Work Regional – Family sponsored: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate – Post-Vocational Education Work: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream: Eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry: Eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 407 Training visa: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)

State and territory nomination for Mechanical Engineering Technician

7 of 8 states and territories currently list this occupation: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory. Onshore means already living in that state; offshore means living outside Australia.

New South Wales: 190 Yes, 491 Closed 26–27, onshore NSW residents, offshore Yes. NSW Skills List — unit group 3125.
Victoria: 190 Yes, 491 Not yet open, onshore VIC residents, offshore Yes. All 190-eligible occupations (no state list).
Queensland: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore QLD residents, offshore Yes. Onshore list: 190 & 491; Building & Construction pathway; Offshore QSOL: 190 & 491.
South Australia: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore SA residents, offshore Yes. SA Graduates: 190 & 491; Skilled Employment in SA: 190 & 491; Outer Regional Skilled Employment: 190 & 491; Offshore: 190 & 491.
Western Australia: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore WA & interstate, offshore Yes. General – WASMOL Schedule 2: 190 & 491; Graduate stream (WA study): 190 & 491.
Tasmania: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore TAS residents, offshore No. Living in Tasmania: Skilled Employment, Graduate or Established Resident pathways; Overseas 491 (OSOP) closed for 2026–27.
Australian Capital Territory: 190 Yes, 491 Yes, onshore Canberra residents, offshore Yes. ACT Nominated Migration Program Occupation List.
Northern Territory: 190 Closed, 491 By exception, onshore NT grads/residents only, offshore No. 491 onshore only, by exception for NT Graduate or Resident applicants with urgent visa or age deadlines.

Based on each state's official 2026–27 lists and program pages. Being listed does not guarantee an invitation.

Skills assessment for Mechanical Engineering Technician

TRA assesses trade occupations. Which program you use depends on your passport country and trade. Most applicants use the Migration Skills Assessment (a document-based check). If your passport country is listed against your trade, you must use the Offshore Skills Assessment Program, run by a TRA-approved training organisation, which adds a technical interview and, for licensed trades, a practical test.

The process

Check your program: Use TRA's Pathfinder: MSA, or OSAP if your passport country is listed for your trade.
Gather evidence: Qualification or apprenticeship papers, employer templates and pay evidence for every job.
Apply and pay: MSA through the TRA Online Portal; OSAP through an approved RTO.
Assessment: MSA: documents only (about 120 days). OSAP: documents, then technical interview, then practical if licensed.
Outcome: Outcome letter emailed to you.

What you need for this occupation

Migration Skills Assessment (most applicants): a qualification or apprenticeship directly relevant to the trade, plus paid employment in the trade shown by employer templates and pay evidence. Documents only, no interview.
Offshore Skills Assessment Program (listed passport countries): evidence checked by a TRA-approved training organisation, then a technical interview, plus a practical assessment for licensed trades.

Whether you must use OSAP depends on your passport country and trade. Check TRA's Pathfinder before applying.

Documents checklist

Passport ID page
Qualification certificates and transcripts or apprenticeship papers
TRA Employer Template for each period of employment
Pay evidence for each job (payslips, bank statements, tax records)
Self-employment evidence if applicable

Key facts

MSA fee: AUD 795 (review AUD 610)
MSA processing: About 120 days
Not available through MSA: Electricians, plumbers and air-conditioning mechanics (licensed trades)
Experience: Directly relevant paid employment in the trade is assessed; see TRA guidelines for your program
Validity for visas: Home Affairs generally accepts an assessment for 3 years unless the letter says otherwise

English language requirement

For the TRA skills assessment

No English test required. No English test score is required for the TRA skills assessment. Documents must be in English or translated, and OSAP applicants complete a technical interview. Your English is tested for the visa.

For the visa (189, 190 and 491)

Separately, the visa needs at least Competent English. Minimum scores for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025:

IELTS (Academic or General): Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0
PTE Academic: Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54
TOEFL iBT: Listening 16, Reading 16, Writing 19, Speaking 19
OET: Listening 290, Reading 310, Writing 290, Speaking 330

Proficient English adds 10 points and Superior English adds 20 points in the points test.

Related occupations in unit group 3125

Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson (312511)

Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for Mechanical Engineering Technician?

The ANZSCO code for Mechanical Engineering Technician is 312512. It is a skill level 2 occupation.

Who assesses Mechanical Engineering Technician for Australian migration?

Mechanical Engineering Technician is assessed by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). You need a positive skills assessment before you can apply for most skilled visas.

Which Australian visas can a Mechanical Engineering Technician apply for?

Mechanical Engineering Technician is on the STSOL, CSOL lists, so it can be used for: 190 Skilled Nominated; 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated; 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream; 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry; 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored; 407 Training visa. You must still meet every other visa requirement.

Which states nominate Mechanical Engineering Technician?

7 of 8 states and territories currently list Mechanical Engineering Technician: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory. Each state has extra criteria such as residence, employment and points.

Do I need an English test for the Mechanical Engineering Technician skills assessment?

No. No English test score is required for the TRA skills assessment. Documents must be in English or translated, and OSAP applicants complete a technical interview. Your English is tested for the visa.

Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics ANZSCO 2022 (CC BY 4.0), Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation lists, TRA and state and territory nomination pages. Checked November 2026. General information only, not migration advice. Search all ANZSCO occupations.