How to get a Skills assessment for your occupation

But what exactly does a skills assessment involve, who conducts it, and how do you know what applies to your occupation? Let’s take a look at the general process and some of the most commonly used assessing authorities.

What Is a Skills Assessment?

A skills assessment is an official review carried out by an authorised assessing body that determines whether your qualifications, experience, and sometimes English language proficiency match Australian standards for your chosen occupation.

It’s a mandatory requirement for most skilled visa types including:

• Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent)
• Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated)
• Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional)
• Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand Visa)

Different occupations are assessed by different authorities, and each authority has its own criteria, documentation requirements, fees, and processing timelines.

Who Assesses My Occupation?

The authority that assesses your skills depends on your nominated occupation. Here are some of the most commonly used assessing bodies:

• VETASSESS – Covers a wide range of general professional occupations including management, HR, marketing, education and community services roles. Often requires both qualifications and employment evidence.
• TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) – Handles most trade-based occupations. If you don’t have formal qualifications, TRA may allow experience-based assessments.
• ACS (Australian Computer Society) – Responsible for IT-related occupations. ACS assessments often involve detailed work experience reports and may require qualifications in computing or a related field.
• AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) – Oversees registration for many healthcare occupations including nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals. May include a separate registration process.
• ANMAC (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council) – Performs skills assessments for internationally qualified nurses and midwives intending to apply for skilled migration.
• CPA Australia / CA ANZ / IPA – These bodies assess accountants, auditors, and finance professionals. Applicants are assessed based on academic transcripts, subjects studied, and possibly English language proficiency.
• Engineers Australia – Covers all engineering disciplines. Engineering qualifications may need to be mapped against Australian standards, and a "Competency Demonstration Report" (CDR) may be required in certain cases.

General Process (What You Can Expect)

While each assessing body has its own rules, the process generally includes:

1. Nominate Your Occupation: Check the relevant skilled occupation list to confirm which occupations are in demand and who the assessing authority is.
2. Gather Your Documents: This may include:
   • Academic transcripts and certificates
   • Work experience reference letters
   • Payslips and contracts
   • Resume or CV
   • English test results (if required)
3. Submit Your Application Online: Most assessing authorities accept digital applications through their own portals.
4. Await the Outcome: Processing times vary from a few weeks to several months, depending on the occupation and the authority.

Things to Keep in Mind

Each authority sets its own standards... What works for one occupation may not work for another. Not all experience counts: many assessing bodies deduct experience if your qualification doesn’t closely match your  occupation or if the employment took place before the qualification was obtained. Very important: an assessment outcome is NOT a visa. It’s a prerequisite, but you must still meet all other visa requirements including age, English, health, and character.

Last but not least, some pathways may require registration in Australia: Especially for health professionals, where skills assessment and registration are two separate steps.

Why Professional Guidance Helps

With over a dozen assessing authorities and hundreds of eligible occupations, determining the right approach for your skills assessment can be complex.

We help applicants navigate the exact requirements for their occupation, ensure their documents are appropriately prepared, and avoid common pitfalls that could delay or derail their application. Not sure where to begin? We’ll identify your correct occupation, the relevant assessing authority, and provide step-by-step guidance to get your skills assessment right the first time.

Get in touch with our team today for a personalised assessment and migration strategy.

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