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How to Get a Skills Assessment for Australian PR

Skills Assessment

How to Get a Skills Assessment for Australian PR

A positive skills assessment is the foundation of most skilled migration applications. This guide explains which assessing body you need, what documentation to submit, and how long the process takes.

Skills Assessment8 min readActive Study Australia

A positive skills assessment is the foundation of most Australian skilled migration applications. Without it, you cannot submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect. Yet the skills assessment process is one of the most misunderstood parts of the migration journey.

What Is a Skills Assessment?

A skills assessment is a formal evaluation conducted by a government-approved assessing authority. It determines whether your qualifications and work experience are comparable to the Australian standard for your nominated occupation.

Who Are the Assessing Bodies?

  • ACS (Australian Computer Society) - ICT occupations
  • Engineers Australia - engineering occupations
  • VETASSESS - broad range of professional and trade occupations
  • CPA Australia / CA ANZ - accountants
  • AHPRA - regulated health professions including nursing, medicine, and allied health
  • AITSL - teachers
  • TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) - trade occupations

What Documentation Is Typically Required?

  • Degree certificate and academic transcripts - certified copies translated into English if not originally in English
  • Employment evidence - employer reference letters on company letterhead, signed by a supervisor
  • English test results - most assessing bodies require a minimum English score
  • Identity documents - passport, birth certificate
  • Position descriptions - detailed descriptions of your duties in each role

Not sure which visa pathway is right for you?

Our MARA-registered agents review your assessment documentation before you submit.

The ACS Assessment Process (ICT)

  • A Bachelor's degree in ICT typically leads to a positive assessment for a range of ANZSCO codes
  • Non-ICT degrees can qualify if accompanied by at least 4 years of relevant ICT work experience
  • RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) assessments are available for those without formal qualifications
  • Processing time: typically 4-8 weeks

The Engineers Australia Assessment Process

  • A Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from a Washington Accord-accredited institution is the most straightforward pathway
  • Three to five years of post-graduation work experience is required for most positive assessments
  • You must prepare a detailed Career Episode Report demonstrating your engineering competencies
  • Processing time: 6-16 weeks

VETASSESS Assessments

VETASSESS covers more than 350 occupations in business, education, social work, science, and trades. Assessment criteria vary significantly by occupation - always verify the specific requirements for your nominated occupation before applying.

We review your skills assessment documents before you submit - avoiding costly mistakes.

Book a free consultation and we'll check your documentation before it goes in.

What If Your Assessment Is Negative?

  • Internal review: Most assessing bodies allow you to request a review of the decision, usually within 90 days
  • Additional documentation: If the assessment was negative due to insufficient evidence, you may be able to reapply with stronger documentation
  • Bridging qualification: If your qualification genuinely does not meet the standard, completing an additional Australian qualification can address the gap
  • Change your nominated occupation: Sometimes a related occupation has a lower assessment bar that your existing qualifications can meet

When Should You Apply?

Apply for your skills assessment as early as possible - ideally as soon as you have completed your degree. The process takes time, and you cannot submit your EOI in SkillSelect until you have a positive outcome. Waiting until your 485 is about to expire to start this process is one of the most common and costly mistakes we see.

Our MARA-registered agents can review your documentation before you submit, identify any gaps, and advise on which occupation and assessing body gives you the best chance of a positive outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to start your journey to Australian PR?

Book a free consultation with our MARA-registered migration agents and get a personalised study and PR pathway mapped for you.

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You can find more information about migration agents at the Migration Agent Registration Authority www.mara.gov.au