186DE Skill assessment advice

Hi all, I am hoping someone can share any experience with regards to engineers Australia skill assessment. I completed my bachelor degree in 2021, which required further learning to Washington accord accreditation to masters which I did in 2025. Both degrees done in my own time, I have 18 years experience as mechanical engineer.

I have been doing some research and have came across a worrying detail that the engineers Australia skill assessment will state that I was only qualified from 2025, meaning the three year post qual experience requirement can’t be met if I try to lodge the visa. I was hoping that my experience post bachelor could be used to meet the three year rule. I have tones of documented evidence I have been working at a professional level since my bachelor degree, but scared to lodge incase I lose the visa processing fees.

Does anyone out there have any experience with this? Am I screwed? TY