Top 10 CPD Activities for Engineers Australia: Your Guide to Career Growth & Compliance


In today’s fast-evolving engineering landscape, staying updated with the latest knowledge and skills is not just beneficial—it’s essential. That’s where Continuing Professional Development (CPD) comes in. Engineers Australia, the national body representing engineers across disciplines, requires all professional engineers to undertake CPD to maintain their credentials, including Chartered Status and NER (National Engineering Register) registration.

In this blog, we’ll explore the top 10 CPD activities for Engineers Australia, helping you understand what counts, how to track it, and how to grow meaningfully in your career.

📌 What is CPD?

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development, and it refers to activities that help you develop and enhance your engineering knowledge and skills. Engineers Australia mandates a minimum of 150 hours of CPD over a 3-year period to ensure members stay professionally competent.

✅ Top 10 CPD Activities for Engineers Australia

1. Formal Education and Training

Enrolling in accredited engineering or management courses—either full-time or part-time—counts as CPD. This includes postgraduate degrees, diplomas, or certificate programs.

✔️ Example: Completing a postgraduate course in Structural Engineering or Project Management.

2. Short Courses and Workshops

Attending short courses, seminars, or workshops related to your engineering field or soft skills (like leadership or communication) qualifies as CPD.

✔️ Example: A 2-day workshop on BIM (Building Information Modelling) or AutoCAD updates.

3. Conferences and Seminars

Attending industry conferences, technical forums, or webinars exposes you to current trends and practices, and counts toward CPD hours.

✔️ Example: Participating in the Engineers Australia national convention or industry-specific expos.

4. Technical Presentations

Presenting at or attending technical presentations offered by professional bodies or your workplace enhances both your knowledge and communication skills.

✔️ Example: Delivering a talk on energy-efficient design or AI in automation.

5. Work-Based Learning

Learning new skills or tools while working on a project can count, provided it's structured and documented.

✔️ Example: Learning to use a new engineering software or adopting a new safety protocol.

6. Private Study

Reading engineering journals, technical manuals, or relevant publications in your field is also valid CPD.

✔️ Example: Regularly reading Engineers Australia’s magazine or IEEE journals.

7. Mentoring and Being Mentored

Both providing and receiving mentorship contribute to CPD hours. These activities help in knowledge transfer and leadership development.

✔️ Example: Mentoring a graduate engineer or participating in a mentorship program.

8. Service to the Engineering Profession

Volunteering or serving on engineering committees, boards, or panels is another CPD-worthy activity.

✔️ Example: Acting as a panel assessor for Chartered assessments or volunteering at local engineering chapters.

9. Publishing and Research

Publishing technical papers, articles, or conducting research adds to your CPD log.

✔️ Example: Writing an article on sustainable engineering practices for an industry journal.

10. Online Learning Platforms

Using digital platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, or Engineers Australia’s own resources to take micro-courses or webinars also counts as CPD.

✔️ Example: Completing an online course in Python for Engineers or Lean Six Sigma.

📝 How to Record Your CPD?

Engineers Australia recommends maintaining a CPD log with:

  • Date of activity

  • Description of the learning

  • Duration in hours

  • Category of activity

  • Reflection on how it helped your career

You can use the MyPortal CPD Log Tool on Engineers Australia’s website or maintain your own spreadsheet or documentation.

⚠️ Important Notes:

  • At least 50% of your CPD hours should be related directly to your area of practice.

  • A maximum of 75 hours can come from private study over three years.

  • Random audits are conducted, so keep documented evidence like certificates, slides, or summaries.

🎯 Final Thoughts

CPD isn’t just a requirement for Engineers Australia—it’s a roadmap to your personal and professional growth. These top 10 CPD activities for Engineers Australia are not only easy to integrate into your daily life, but also deeply rewarding in keeping you ahead of the curve.

By actively engaging in a mix of these activities, you’ll not only meet compliance standards but also boost your confidence, leadership, and career opportunities in the ever-changing world of engineering.

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