Don’t let paperwork stand between you and your visa.
Skills assessments are the backbone of most skilled migration applications but too many applicants stumble on avoidable mistakes.
Why Skills Assessments Matter
For most skilled visa pathways including the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa, Subclass 190 State Nomination Visa, Subclass 491 Skilled Regional Visa, and even some employer-sponsored options a positive skills assessment is your ticket to apply.
It confirms that your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards, ensuring you’re eligible for the visa you want.
The 5 Most Common Mistakes
- Submitting incomplete employment references
References missing duties, company details, or proper verification often lead to rejections. - Not aligning duties with ANZSCO codes
If your role description doesn’t match the official occupation tasks, your application may fail. - Providing unverified or informal qualifications
Only recognised qualifications are accepted, informal or unverified training won’t pass. - Miscalculating post-qualification work experience years
Many applicants over-claim years of work experience, which can be discounted or refused. - Failing to update documents when policies change
Skills assessing authorities update requirements regularly, outdated documents risk rejection.
How to Avoid Them
- Use detailed, ANZSCO-aligned references from your employers.
- Cross-check your documents against the criteria of your assessing authority (TRA, VETASSESS, Engineers Australia, etc.).
- Stay up-to-date with policy changes before submission.
- Consider professional guidance to maximise your chances.
The Payoff of Doing It Right
- A smoother approval process.
- Stronger points claim for GSM visas.
- Avoiding wasted time, costs, and reapplications.
Final Word
A strong skills assessment means a strong visa application. Getting it right the first time saves you time, money, and stress.
That’s why working with an experienced agency like Australian Shores is so pivotal — we ensure every detail of your application, especially the skills assessment, meets the latest requirements. With professional guidance, you can avoid costly mistakes and move confidently toward your Australian future.
