Engineers make decisions that have significant consequences for humans - in safety, in technology and in creating a sustainable future. You need to balance priorities, stakeholder needs and ethical considerations. Making decisions and managing the consequences affects your practice, your team, your organisation and your project.
This micro-credential proves your ability to deal with ethical issues to the same level as Engineers Australia’s Chartered status (element 1). It demonstrates your ability to apply ethical principles in an engineering context, including:
- understanding the consequences of your actions
- identifying potential ethical issues
- applying ethical frameworks
- acting appropriately when faced with ethical decisions
The pathway to gaining the Ethical Practice micro-credential depends on your existing skills, knowledge and experience. Choose to be recognised for capabilities you already have, or build your capabilities first through learning and application.
Read about our options below to find the pathway that suits you.
If you need to build your knowledge, skills or capabilities, the learning pathway is for you. Completed 100% online, it includes:
- a high-quality program of study, delivered through an online workshop
- an advisory session with an education specialist
- access to our EngLearn platform to lodge your submission
- assessment of your submission by our qualified assessors
- a digital badge upon successful completion
The Learning pathway begins with the Ethical Practice Learning Component.
This includes four hours of self-paced learning and a live online workshop. The self-paced learning must be completed before attending the workshop.
Complete this pathway as part of the Emerging Engineers Leadership Program
Build the skills you need to practice independently, apply for more senior roles and prepare for Chartered status through the Emerging Engineers Leadership Program.
If you have existing skills, knowledge and experience in practice, but would like input on preparing your assessment submission, the advisory pathway is for you. Completed 100% online, it includes:
- an advisory session with an education specialist
- access to our EngLearn platform to lodge your submission
- assessment of your submission by our qualified assessors
- a digital badge upon successful completion
If you are an experienced practitioner and are seeking recognition of your skills, knowledge and capabilities, the assessment pathway is for you. Completed 100% online, it includes:
- access to our EngLearn platform to lodge your assessment submission
- assessment of your submission by our qualified assessors
- a digital badge upon successful completion
EA members get 15% off on selected workshops and training. Not a member? Sign up now
*1% credit card surcharge applies.
Any questions?
Contact us
15 - 17 hours*
6 months to complete
*All learning may contribute to Engineers Australia’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours
This pathway begins with a short course including 4-hours self-paced learning; and a workshop on:
Next session TBC. Submit an enquiry to be notified.
The self-paced learning must be completed before attending the workshop.
Closes 3 business days beforehand
EA members get 15% off on selected workshops and training. Not a member? Sign up now
*1% credit card surcharge applies.
Any questions?
Contact us
7 - 9 hours*
3 months to complete
*All learning may contribute to Engineers Australia’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours
1 January - 31 December
You'll receive an email with instructions on how to book your advisory session.
And access to the EngLearn platform to submit your assessment.
EA members get 15% off on selected workshops and training. Not a member? Sign up now
*1% credit card surcharge applies.
Any questions?
Contact us
6 - 8 hours*
3 months to complete
*All learning may contribute to Engineers Australia’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours
1 January - 31 December
You'll receive an email with instructions on how to access the EngLearn platform to submit your assessment.
We can tailor group packages for teams to align with your business objectives or L&D needs.
For more information, submit an enquiry or call us on +61 3 9321 1700.
For Individuals
Learning pathway
15 - 17 hours*
6 months to complete
*All learning may contribute to Engineers Australia’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours
This pathway begins with a short course including 4-hours self-paced learning; and a workshop on:
Next session TBC. Submit an enquiry to be notified.
The self-paced learning must be completed before attending the workshop.
Closes 3 business days beforehand
Advisory pathway
7 - 9 hours*
3 months to complete
*All learning may contribute to Engineers Australia’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours
1 January - 31 December
You'll receive an email with instructions on how to book your advisory session.
And access to the EngLearn platform to submit your assessment.
Assessment pathway
6 - 8 hours*
3 months to complete
*All learning may contribute to Engineers Australia’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours
1 January - 31 December
You'll receive an email with instructions on how to access the EngLearn platform to submit your assessment.
*1% credit card surcharge applies.
EA members get 15% off on selected workshops and training. Not a member? Sign up now
Any questions? Contact us
For Business
Tailored Training
We can tailor group packages for teams to align with your business objectives or L&D needs.
For more information, submit an enquiry or call us on +61 3 9321 1700.
To gain this micro-credential, you will need to demonstrate that you do the following in the workplace:
- Make ethical decisions that influence projects, teams and stakeholders.
- Apply the Engineers Australia Code of Ethics, along with business policies and procedures to monitor and supervise ethical practices.
- Guide colleagues to apply ethical practices.
- Analyse, examine and take appropriate action in a conflict-of-interest situation.
For full details of the criteria, view the participant guide.
This micro-credential is assessed to the same level as Engineers Australia’s Chartered status (element 1)*.
To earn this micro-credential, you will need to show that you meet the criteria in practice. To do this, you will prepare an assessment submission consisting of:
- at least two workplace examples from the last two years
- evidence to support demonstration of the workplace examples, addressing each criterion
- a written explanation of how the workplace evidence relates to each criterion
- a video interview where you answer questions about your workplace examples
A workplace example is an occasion where you’ve applied the skills and knowledge of the micro-credential. For this micro-credential, suitable examples may include:
- identifying workplace ethical dilemmas
- making complex ethical decisions
- applying an ethical decision-making framework
- implementing an ethical decision-making framework
- reviewing policy documents
- resolving a workplace ethical dilemma
There are many different examples that could be used to show your ability in practice. The same example could be used on two separate occasions, or two different examples could be used on two separate occasions.
If you’re not sure, choose the learning or advisory pathway for guidance.
Evidence is anything that supports your workplace examples. Evidence can be submitted in a range of forms, including (but not limited to):
- ethical decision-making frameworks
- decision framework reviews
- policy review documents
- contract management documents
- project reports relating to ethical issues
- correspondence
- images
- supervisor or peer testimonials
Is this micro-credential for you?
This micro-credential suits engineers at all career stages. This micro-credential allows you to showcase your ability to understand and apply ethical principles, in line with Engineers Australia’s Code of Ethics.
Complete this Micro-credential as part of the Emerging Engineers Leadership Program
Build the skills you need to practice independently, apply for more senior roles and prepare for Chartered status through the Emerging Engineers Leadership Program.
Chartered aligned
This micro-credential is aligned to the following element of competency* for Chartered status:
1. Deal with ethical issues
When you apply for Chartered status, you can use this micro-credential as evidence for the element of competency above.
*Gaining this micro-credential does not automatically guarantee you a Chartered element of competency.
Elements are to be completed in sequence, and we recommend allowing the following time to complete each:
- Learning component – allow eight hours to complete your learning; includes four hours of self-paced learning and a four hour live-online workshop. The self-paced learning must be completed before attending the workshop.
- Advisory session – allow 20 - 30 minutes for the session.
- Assessment submission – allow six - eight hours to collate, prepare and submit your assessment submission.
- Video interview – allow 25 minutes.
You have six months from registration to complete all elements of the learning pathway and finish your assessment submission.
Elements are to be completed in sequence, and we recommend allowing the following time to complete each:
- Advisory session – allow 20 - 30 minutes for the session.
- Assessment submission – allow six - eight hours to collate, prepare and submit your assessment submission.
- Video interview – allow 25 minutes.
You have three months from registration to complete all elements of the advisory pathway and finish your assessment submission.
We recommend allowing the following time to complete each element:
- Assessment submission – allow six - eight hours to collate, prepare and submit your assessment submission.
- Video interview – allow 25 minutes.
You have three months from registration to complete all elements of the assessment pathway and finish your assessment submission.
- Familiarise yourself with the micro-credential’s criteria within the participant guide.
- Note down any questions you have about your assessment submission or the process.
- Think about the examples you are planning to use in your assessment submission, and be ready to talk about them.
You will be provided with the opportunity to resubmit if your original submission isn’t deemed satisfactory. Your assessor will provide you with detailed feedback on areas and evidence to improve.
To appeal, apply in writing to [email protected]. When we receive your request, a second assessor will review and assess your portfolio of work and the feedback provided by your original assessor.
Where the outcome of the second assessment agrees with the original assessment, the result stands. Where the assessment outcome is inconsistent, we will engage a moderator to assess the submission, and the outcome of the moderator’s assessment will be final.
Award-winning learning
Engineers Australia's Micro-credentials have been recognised for excellence in education, receiving two LearnX Platinum Awards in 2024 for Industry Specific Learning and Development, and Best Talented Learning and Development Team.
