Electrical engineer 233311 vs electrician 341111: two pathways, EA vs TRA
The question to answer first
People working in the electrical field often find it hard to choose a migration pathway, because the two occupations are very different in Australia:
- Electrical Engineer — ANZSCO 233311 — assessed by Engineers Australia (EA)
- Electrician — ANZSCO 341111 — assessed by TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) via the JRP
There is no “combined” pathway — you can only choose one, and that choice has to match your actual qualifications and experience.
Definitions under ANZSCO
ANZSCO 233311 — Electrical Engineer: Designs, develops and supervises the installation and operation of electrical systems. The focus is on engineering design: electrical analysis, designing power-distribution and control systems, calculating electrical loads, and supervising construction against technical drawings. This occupation requires a degree in electrical engineering (or equivalent).
ANZSCO 341111 — Electrician (General): Installs, operates, maintains and repairs electrical equipment and systems. The focus is on hands-on work: running wiring, installing switchboards, and connecting electrical equipment in residential and commercial buildings. This occupation requires an electrical trade skill set, which can be gained through an apprenticeship or a vocational training programme.
Who should take the electrical engineer (EA) path?
The Electrical Engineer 233311 + EA assessment path suits you if:
- You have a degree in electrical engineering (4–5 years) from your home country or elsewhere
- Most of your experience is in electrical system design, producing technical drawings, analysis, and construction supervision
- You work in a design firm, an engineering consultancy, or the engineering department of a business
- The output of your work is electrical drawings, engineering calculations, and design reports
The path: EA assessment → CDR (Competency Demonstration Report) → migration visa.
See the guide to electrical engineer migration to Australia.
Who should take the electrician (TRA + JRP) path?
The Electrician 341111 + TRA JRP path suits you if:
- You are a hands-on electrician: running wiring, installing switchboards, connecting equipment, repairing electrical faults
- You have a vocational or diploma-level electrical qualification, or trade training, but no engineering degree
- Your experience is in on-site installation work, not engineering design
- You do not produce electrical engineering drawings — you work to drawings provided by others
The path: TRA JRP → skills assessment → migration visa → state practising licence.
See the guides to electrician migration to Australia and electrical licensing after TRA.
The grey area: an engineer doing hands-on work
A fairly common group: people with an electrical engineering degree who do more installation/operation work than design. This case needs careful thought:
Leaning towards EA:
- EA requires a CDR demonstrating engineering-level technical competence
- If you hold an engineering degree and have done some design/supervision work — even a little — you may be able to write a CDR focused on that experience
- EA assesses qualifications plus technical competence; it does not require you to do design work 100% of the time
Leaning towards TRA:
- The TRA/JRP does not require a degree — only practical electrical skills
- If you hold an engineering degree but your entire experience is hands-on electrical work, TRA is the more realistic path
- But note: the JRP requires roughly 1,725 hours of supervised work experience in Australia
You cannot lodge both at once — you must choose one.
Differences in practising licences in Australia
Both occupations need a further licensing step after the skills assessment:
Electrical engineer:
- After the EA assessment, to sign off on engineering drawings and technical reports in Australia, you need to register as a Professional Engineer (PE) with Engineers Australia or the relevant state engineering body
- The PE path usually involves further experience and CPD in Australia after you have been working
Electrician:
- After the TRA assessment, you need to obtain an Electrical Worker Licence from the body in the state where you work
- This requires testing on the AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules and local electrical legislation
- See the detail in the guide to electrical licensing after TRA
Visa conditions: how do they differ?
The two occupations may have different visa conditions at any given time. One point to note:
- For Electrical Engineer (233311), per verified claims: the 186 visa is not available directly — you need to go through a 482 first
- For Electrician (341111), per verified claims: the 189 visa is not available — but a 186 after a 482 may be possible
Check directly at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au for the current CSOL status of each code before deciding.
A practical summary
| Criterion | Electrical engineer 233311 | Electrician 341111 |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification required | Engineering degree | Vocational trade |
| Assessing authority | Engineers Australia | TRA (JRP) |
| Where assessed | Can be done from overseas | Requires being in Australia (JRP) |
| Practising afterwards | Register as PE (state-dependent) | State electrical licence |
| Overall timeframe | 6–18 months (EA) | 2–3 years (JRP + licensing) |
See also:
- The guide to electrical engineer migration to Australia
- The guide to electrician migration to Australia
- The CDR guide for mechanical engineers — the CDR structure is similar for electrical engineers