Skills Assessment of Australia

A Skills Assessment is a mandatory prerequisite for Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas (e.g., Subclasses 189, 190, and 491). Its purpose is to verify that your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation.

Below is the step-by-step process to complete an Australian Skills Assessment:

Step 1: Identify Your ANZSCO Occupation & Assessing Authority

1. Search the Skilled Occupation List (SOL): Visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs website to find an occupation matching your qualification and work experience. Note the 6-digit ANZSCO code.

2. Find the Assigned Assessing Authority: Each ANZSCO occupation is evaluated by a specific body. Common authorities include:

   • VETASSESS: Professional occupations (Marketing, Consultants) & trades.

   • ACS (Australian Computer Society): IT & Cyber Security roles.

   • Engineers Australia (EA): Engineering disciplines.

   • TRA (Trades Recognition Australia): Skilled manual trades.

   • CPA / CA / IPA: Finance & Accounting professionals.

Step 2: Review Specific Assessment Guidelines

Each authority maintains its own eligibility criteria, documentation rules, and processing fees.

• Check whether your occupation requires a relevant degree, a minimum number of years of post-qualification work experience, or an English language test (e.g., IELTS/PTE) prior to submission.

• Review the ANZSCO job description duties to ensure your work experience closely aligns with Australian benchmarks.

Step 3: Gather & Prepare Document Proofs

Collect high-resolution, color-scanned copies of all required original documents:

• Personal Identification: Valid Passport bio-data page and national photo ID.

• Academic Credentials: Degree certificates, official completion letters, and full semester transcripts.

• Work Experience Evidence:

  • Formal Employment Reference Letters on company letterhead (detailing job title, employment dates, weekly hours, salary, and list of main duties signed by a supervisor/HR).

  • Financial Evidence: Payslips, bank statements showing salary credits, tax returns, or government pension/social security records.

• English Proficiency (if required): PTE Academic or IELTS scorecard.

• CV/Resume: Up-to-date document reflecting your complete chronological work history.

Step 4: Create an Account & Lodge the Application

1. Register an account on the online portal of your designated assessing authority (e.g., VETASSESS online, ACS portal).

2. Fill out the application form carefully, selecting the correct assessment pathway (e.g., General Migration, Post-Graduate, RPL).

3. Upload all supporting documents in the requested file formats (usually PDF).

4. Pay the assessment fee using a credit card or PayPal (fees range between AUD $500 and AUD $1,500 depending on the authority).

Step 5: Assessment Processing & Verification

• Processing Period: Processing usually takes 4 to 12 weeks (though fast-track/priority processing is available with bodies like VETASSESS for an additional fee).

• Third-Party Verification: The assessing authority may contact your past employers, university, or tax authority to verify the authenticity of your documents.

• Additional Information (COAR): If any document is unclear or missing, the assessor will send a request for additional evidence via the portal.

Step 6: Receive the Assessment Outcome Letter

• Positive Result: You will receive a formal Positive Skills Assessment Outcome Letter. This document is valid for 3 years from the date of issue (or the expiry date explicitly printed on it). You use this reference number to lodge your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.

• Negative Result: If unsuccessful, you will receive an explanation. Most authorities provide a window (usually 60–90 days) to submit a Review or Appeal with additional evidence.