Skills Assessment — Australian skilled migration process guide

Skills Assessment — occupation assessment for skilled migration

This guide summarises the concept, process, assessing authorities, and required documents for the skills assessment — an essential preliminary step for Australian skilled migration (subclass 189/190/491, etc.).

What is a skills assessment?

A skills assessment is the process in which a government-appointed assessing authority (assessing authority) examines whether an applicant's qualifications, work experience, and credentials for their nominated occupation (nominated occupation) meet Australian standards. For most skilled migration visas (subclass 189/190/491, etc.), it is an essential preliminary step that you must complete before you apply for the visa, and you can only proceed to the next step once you have a positive (suitable) result.

positive/negative and provisional/full distinctions

Results are broadly divided into positive (suitable) and negative (unsuitable). Some authorities also have detailed types such as provisional and full, depending on the level of qualification recognition. The assessment method also varies — some look only at qualifications, some look at both qualifications and work experience, and some separately calculate the date on which your relevant work experience began. The detailed types and terminology differ by assessing authority, so check the official guidelines.

The 5-step application process

The process generally follows the order confirm the occupation → check the list and authority → prepare documents → apply and pay the fee → receive the result. The detailed requirements at each step vary by occupation and assessing authority, so it is best to read the latest guidance from the responsible authority before you start.

The relationship between ANZSCO codes, occupation lists, and the EOI

Australia classifies occupations by ANZSCO classification codes (the classification system may be revised, so confirm the latest version officially). Each occupation belongs to one of the skilled occupation lists such as MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL, and the types of visa you can apply for depend on which list it is on. Once you have a positive skills assessment, you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, and for points-tested visas you apply for the visa after receiving an invitation.

Check that your nominated occupation is actually on the occupation list for the visa you want
Check the responsible assessing authority for that occupation and the required documents and fees
Check the English requirement for the assessment and the English requirement for the visa separately

Occupation-to-assessing-authority mappings, occupation lists, and points requirements change frequently. Always check the latest information as of your application date on SkillSelect and the relevant assessing authority and Home Affairs official websites.

What to prepare and eligibility requirements

Required documents differ by authority, but in general you need documents that evidence your identity, qualifications, work experience, and English. Notarisation, certified translation, and similar steps may be required to verify authenticity, so check the format requirements carefully before you submit.

Proof of identity such as a passport, and evidence of any name change (marriage certificate, etc.)
Degree certificates and transcripts, and certified translations if required
Employment evidence (employer reference letters, payslips, tax records, etc.) and English test score reports

False or exaggerated documents can lead not only to the result being cancelled but also to problems at the visa stage under rules on false information (such as PIC 4020). Prepare only truthful documents in a verifiable form.

Types of major assessing authorities

The responsible assessing authority varies depending on your nominated occupation. The following are representative examples; check the exact occupation-to-authority mapping on the Home Affairs skilled occupation list.

ICT and computing occupations

ACS (Australian Computer Society) assesses the qualifications and work experience for ICT occupations such as software and networking.

Engineering

Engineers Australia handles engineering occupations, with qualification recognition pathways such as the Washington, Sydney, and Dublin Accords.

Many professional and general occupations

VETASSESS assesses a wide range of professional occupations such as management, science, and culture, as well as some trades.

Trades, accounting, health, and teaching

For trades there is TRA, for accounting CPA Australia, CA ANZ, and IPA, for nursing ANMAC, and for teaching AITSL — each occupation group has its own dedicated authority.

Step-by-step checklist

Checking the following in order before and after you apply can reduce rejections and delays.

Confirm a single nominated occupation and check that its ANZSCO code and job description match your work experience
Check the latest guidelines, fees, and processing times of the responsible assessing authority on its official website
Prepare your qualification, work experience, and English documents in the required format (including notarisation and certified translation)
For work experience, include only the period closely related to the nominated occupation, and set it out so that the employment period, duties, and working hours are clear
Plan the validity period of your positive result together with the timing of your EOI and visa application

Common mistakes and things to watch for

Below are problems that applicants often encounter. Knowing them in advance can save you time and money.

Choosing an occupation that is not on the visa's list, or nominating an occupation far removed from your qualifications
Preparing with outdated information and then having to redo documents because the list or requirements changed
Work experience not being recognised because the employment evidence is weak (duties, period, and working hours unclear)
Confusing the English requirement for the assessment with the English requirement for the visa
Proceeding down the wrong pathway by judging your personal circumstances on your own — if it is complex, consulting a MARA-registered migration agent is recommended

Useful official links

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all skilled migration visas require a skills assessment?▾

A valid positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation is required for most General Skilled Migration visas (GSM: subclass 189/190/491) and several employer-sponsored visas. However, requirements and exceptions differ by visa and occupation, so always check the latest requirements on the relevant visa page and SkillSelect.

Which assessing authority should I apply to?▾

The responsible assessing authority is assigned according to the ANZSCO code of your nominated occupation. For example, ICT occupations are handled by ACS, engineering by Engineers Australia, many professional occupations by VETASSESS, and trades by TRA. Check the exact occupation-to-authority mapping on the Home Affairs skilled occupation list.

How long does a skills assessment take?▾

Processing times range from a few weeks to several months depending on the assessing authority, the occupation, and how complete your documents are. For accurate expected times and fees, check the latest information published on each assessing authority's official website.

Do positive results have a validity period?▾

Skills assessment results often have a set validity period (for example, a certain period from the date of issue). The result must be valid at the time of your visa application, so check both the validity period stated by the issuing authority and the requirements of the relevant visa.

Is an English test score also required for the skills assessment?▾

Some occupations and authorities require an English test score (such as IELTS) at the skills assessment stage, and separately there is also an English requirement for the visa itself. The English requirement for the assessment and the English requirement for the visa may differ, so check each one.

What should I do if I receive a negative (unsuitable) result?▾

The outcome notice explains the reasons, and depending on the authority there may be a review/appeal or a re-application process. You can address the shortfall (recognition of your qualifications, years of experience, etc.) or consider a more suitable occupation. For your personal circumstances, it is safest to consult a MARA-registered migration agent.

Which matters more, qualifications or work experience?▾

It varies by authority and occupation. Usually your qualifications must be closely related to the nominated occupation, and it is common to make up any shortfall with a certain number of years of relevant work experience. Check the guidelines of the responsible assessing authority for the detailed recognition criteria.