Skills Assessment for Migration
Before applying for a Skill Migration visa, you are required to have a positive skills assessment under your nominated occupation.
For many skilled migration visas (such as subclasses 189, 190, 491 and others), obtaining a positive skills assessment is a mandatory requirement. The Department of Home Affairs only accepts assessments from authorised assessing bodies. A skills assessment verifies that your qualifications, work experience, and competencies meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation. It’s not just a formality; it’s foundational to your visa application.
As your migration agency, we guide you through identifying the correct authority, preparing documentation, applying, and addressing any issues that may arise.
Which Assessing Body Applies to You?
Each occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation Lists is matched to a designated assessing authority. Some of the common ones include:
| Assessing Authority | Occupations / Fields Covered | Key Assessment Focus & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services) | Many professional, management, business and general occupations (e.g. accountants, marketing specialists, human resources, arts, general managers, etc.) | Combined assessment of qualifications and employment. VETASSESS is listed as the assessing authority for numerous occupations on the Skilled Occupation List. (Immigration and citizenship Website) |
| Engineers Australia (EA) | Engineering and related technical occupations | Focuses on competency demonstration; in many cases requires submission of a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) or equivalent to show you meet Australian professional engineering standards |
| ACS (Australian Computer Society) | ICT / computing / information systems roles | Assesses whether ICT qualifications and experience meet Australian standards for nominated ICT occupations |
| AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership) | Teachers / Education | Evaluates education credentials and professional teaching experience against Australian teacher standards |
| ANMAC (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council) | Nursing, midwifery, health professions | Assesses qualifications, registration status, and professional experience in nursing and midwifery |
| TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) | Trade, technical, and vocational occupations | Practical assessments, technical interviews or trade tests may be required to confirm competency in hands-on trades |
| CA ANZ (Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand) | Accountant (General, Chartered) | Recognised assessing authority for certain accounting roles, especially when an applicant is nominated under these accounting pathways (Immigration and citizenship Website) |
| CPA Australia | Accounting / finance roles | Another recognised assessing authority for accounting professions under relevant migration pathways (Immigration and citizenship Website) |
| IPA (Institute of Public Accountants) | Accounting / finance | Serves as assessing authority for certain accounting occupations under migration frameworks (Immigration and citizenship Website) |
| Other specialised boards / professional bodies | Medicine, health, architecture, surveying, etc. | For highly specialised professions, the recognised assessing authority may be the relevant national professional board or accreditation body for that field |
We guide you through every step of preparing your documents and lodging your skills assessment application, ensuring all requirements are thoroughly met. With our expert support, you have the best chance of achieving a successful outcome and advancing your migration goals with confidence.
Our Skills Assessment Service: What We Do?
Occupation Nomination & Matching
We assess your qualifications and experience, then help you nominate the ANZSCO occupation that best aligns, ensuring alignment with the assessing body’s criteria.
Document Audit & Gap Analysis
We perform a detailed review of your academic credentials, transcripts, employment records, reference letters, and other relevant documents. If there are gaps or weak points, we advise how to bridge them.
Application Preparation
We assist in preparing your application according to the specific assessing authority’s format and standards, from setting out job descriptions to matching tasks to ANZSCO criteria.
Submission & Tracking
We lodge (or help you lodge) the application and monitor its progress. We also respond to any requests for further evidence or clarification from the assessing body.
Review & Appeal Support
If your assessment is rejected or partially approved, we can help you request a review or appeal, or assist with resubmission strategies.
How to Get Started
Schedule a personalised consultation with us to begin your skills assessment journey. Our expert advisors will carefully review your education background, professional experience, and career objectives to identify the most suitable assessing authority and outline the exact criteria for your chosen occupation. We will clearly map out the required documents and guide you step-by-step through the entire assessment process. From comprehensive document review and application submission to ongoing status updates and reassessment if necessary, our team will support you at every stage. Let us simplify this essential process so you can pursue your Australian visa goals with clarity and confidence.
Book a personalised consultation with our expert counsellors to receive guidance and support throughout your migration process.
Our experienced counsellors are here to guide and support you through each stage of your migration journey. Reach out today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a skills assessment?
A skills assessment is an official evaluation of your qualifications and work experience to confirm they meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation. It’s usually conducted by an approved assessing authority and is a mandatory step for most skilled migration visas.
Why do I need a skills assessment?
A positive skills assessment demonstrates to the Department of Home Affairs that you are qualified and competent to work in your nominated occupation in Australia. Without it, you can’t apply for most skilled migration visas such as subclass 189, 190, or 491.
Who conducts the skills assessment?
Skills assessments are carried out by specific assessing authorities approved by the Department of Home Affairs. The authority depends on your nominated occupation — for example, VETASSESS for many professional roles, Engineers Australia for engineers, ACS for ICT occupations, and TRA for trades.
How do I find out which assessing authority applies to me?
Your assessing authority is linked to your ANZSCO occupation code, listed on the Skilled Occupation List on the Department of Home Affairs website
What documents do I need for my skills assessment?
Typically, you’ll need:
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Academic qualifications and transcripts
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Employment references or letters
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Detailed job descriptions
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Professional registration (if applicable)
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Identity documents
Each assessing authority has its own document requirements — our team will help you prepare the correct set for your occupation.
How long does the skills assessment take?
Processing times vary by assessing authority and occupation but generally range from 8 to 12 weeks. Some authorities offer priority processing for an additional fee.
How much does a skills assessment cost?
Fees depend on the assessing authority and whether you’re assessing both qualifications and work experience. For example, VETASSESS fees start at around AUD 1,100. We’ll advise you of the exact fee for your occupation during your consultation.
How long is a skills assessment valid for?
Most skills assessments are valid for three years from the issue date. However, some authorities may have shorter or longer validity periods — it’s important to check before applying for your visa.
What if my skills assessment is not successful?
If your assessment is unsuccessful, we can help you review the outcome, address identified gaps, or appeal or resubmit your application with stronger supporting evidence.
Can I apply for a skills assessment from outside Australia?
Yes. You can apply for a skills assessment whether you are in or outside Australia, as long as you can provide all the required documentation in the correct format.
How can Provisa help me with my skills assessment?
Our team helps you:
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Identify the right ANZSCO occupation and assessing authority
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Prepare and review documentation
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Submit your application correctly
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Track progress and respond to authority requests
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Handle reviews or re-assessments if needed
We simplify the process and ensure your submission meets all requirements the first time.
Skilled Migration Pathways
Skill Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
This visa allows nominated skilled workers to live and work in Australia as permanent residents.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
This visa allows invited skilled workers to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
This is a provisional visa. It is for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia
