Do I need a skills assessment for every visa?

A skills assessment is required for most points-tested skilled migration visas (189, 190, 491) and for most employer-sponsored visa applications (186, 482 Core Skills stream). Not all visa subclasses require a skills assessment — for example, the 482 Specialist Skills stream does not require one. The specific requirements depend on the visa and the occupation. Check the visa criteria on the Department of Home Affairs website or obtain advice from a registered migration agent.

How long does a skills assessment take?

Processing times vary significantly between assessing authorities and application types. Some pathways — such as ACS online assessments or straightforward ANMAC applications — may be processed in a few weeks. More complex applications, such as VETASSESS professional assessments or Engineers Australia applications involving competency demonstration, can take several months. Check the current processing time estimates on your authority's website before applying, and plan your timeline accordingly.

What happens if my skills assessment is negative?

A negative skills assessment means the authority has determined that your qualifications and/or experience do not meet the required Australian standard for the nominated occupation. You generally have options: you may be able to request a review or appeal the decision within a set period; you may be able to apply for reassessment after gaining additional qualifications or experience; or you may wish to explore alternative occupations with a different assessing authority. A registered migration agent can advise on the best course of action after a negative outcome.

Can I use my skills assessment for more than one visa application?

Generally, yes — a positive skills assessment can be used for any visa application for which it is valid. For example, the same positive ACS assessment can support an EOI for the 189 visa, a nomination for the 190 visa, and an employer-sponsored 482 or 186 nomination — as long as the assessment remains within its validity period. Once the validity period expires, you will generally need to obtain a new assessment before lodging a new application.

My assessment will expire before the visa is decided. What do I do?

If your skills assessment expires after you lodge a visa application but before a decision is made, the Department of Home Affairs will generally require a valid assessment at the time of decision. You should obtain a new assessment before your current one expires rather than waiting for it to lapse. Some authorities allow renewal applications; check with your authority well in advance. A registered migration agent can advise on the timing.

I have work experience but no formal qualifications. Can I still get a positive assessment?

Some assessing authorities offer pathways for applicants who have significant work experience but limited formal qualifications. Engineers Australia, for example, has an experienced engineer pathway; VETASSESS assesses some applicants on the basis of both qualifications and experience. The eligibility for experience-based pathways is authority-specific and occupation-specific. Seek advice from a registered migration agent before applying to understand whether an experience-based pathway is likely to result in a positive assessment for your circumstances.

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Skilled Migration · Skills Assessment

Skills Assessment
Explained

What a skills assessment is, who the designated assessing authorities are, and how the process generally works for Australian visa applications.

General information current as at July 2026. Requirements are subject to change — verify with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.

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Quick Answer

A skills assessment confirms your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards for your occupation, as Nanak Migration Group, a registered migration agent (MARN 2619467), explains. It is usually required before a points test EOI for Skilled Independent (subclass 189) and for many employer-sponsored visas, including Skills in Demand (subclass 482) and 186 skill requirements.

Reviewed by Navpreet Aulakh, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 2619467)

Last reviewed: July 2026

Required for most

Mandatory for most skilled and employer-sponsored visas

Some visa subclasses and occupations may have different requirements — check the specific visa criteria.

3 years (generally)

Assessments are generally valid for 3 years

Some authorities issue assessments with shorter or longer validity. Confirm with your assessing authority.

Authority-specific

Each occupation has a designated assessing authority

The Department of Home Affairs designates which body assesses each ANZSCO occupation. You cannot choose.

Before your EOI

Obtain the assessment before submitting your EOI

For skilled migration, a positive assessment is generally required before submitting an Expression of Interest.

Varies widely

Fees vary by authority and application type

Some authorities charge from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars. Check with the specific authority for current fees.

Assessing Bodies

Main Assessing Authorities

Each ANZSCO occupation is assigned to one designated assessing authority. The table below provides a general guide — always confirm your occupation's authority and requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website.

The authorities and occupations below are a general guide only. The authoritative list of occupations and their designated assessing bodies is published by the Department of Home Affairs and is subject to change. Confirm your occupation before lodging.

Feature	Typical occupations covered	Generally assesses	General validity
VETASSESS	Broad range of professional and trade occupations not covered by other bodies — accountants, HR professionals, librarians, chefs, many others	Qualifications against Australian equivalent level; employment history at the skill level	Generally 3 years
Engineers Australia (EA)	Engineers, engineering technologists, engineering associates, surveyors, spatial scientists	Academic qualifications, competency demonstration, and English for some pathways	Generally 3 years
ACS (Australian Computer Society)	ICT professionals — software engineers, analysts, database administrators, network engineers, ICT managers	Qualifications and employment history against ANZSCO skill level; may require a skills interview	Generally 3 years
TRA (Trades Recognition Australia)	Trade occupations — electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, refrigeration mechanics and other trades	Trade skills through the TRA pathway; may involve a skills assessment or recognition of overseas qualifications	Generally 3 years
AITSL	Teachers — early childhood, primary, secondary (all subjects)	Qualifications, professional standards, and teaching experience against Australian curriculum standards	Generally 5 years
CPA Australia / CAANZ	Accountants, auditors, finance professionals (shared with VETASSESS for some roles)	Accounting qualifications against the CPA or CA ANZ professional standards and equivalent Australian level	Generally 3 years
ANMAC	Registered nurses, enrolled nurses, midwives	Nursing or midwifery qualifications, registration, and practice hours against Australian standards	Generally 2 years (confirm with ANMAC)

Validity periods are indicative — confirm current validity with each authority before applying.

Step by Step

The Assessment Process

The steps below represent a general guide to the skills assessment process. Specific steps, documents, and timelines vary by assessing authority — confirm requirements on the relevant authority's website.

Identify your assessing authority

Look up your nominated ANZSCO occupation on the Home Affairs website.

Each ANZSCO unit group lists the designated assessing authority — you cannot choose a different one.

Confirm your occupation appears on the relevant skilled occupation list for your intended visa.

Gather documents

Academic transcripts (certified copies), degree certificates, and official translations where required.

Employment references — typically on employer letterhead, signed, dated, with your job title and duties.

IELTS, PTE, or other English test results if required by the authority.

Identity documents (passport, name change documents if applicable).

Submit the application

Complete the authority's own application form — most accept online applications.

Pay the application fee (varies by authority — confirm current fees on their website).

Certify documents as required — some authorities require Australian notarisation or apostille.

Processing

Processing times vary: from a few weeks (some ACS or ANMAC pathways) to several months (some EA or VETASSESS applications).

The authority may request additional information — respond promptly to avoid delays.

Avoid contacting the authority for status updates within the published processing window.

Outcome

A positive assessment confirms your qualifications and experience are at the required ANZSCO skill level.

A negative assessment does not prevent you from reapplying, but you should seek advice from a registered migration agent before doing so.

Some authorities offer a review or appeal pathway for adverse decisions.

Submit your EOI

Once you have a positive assessment, you can submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect (for skilled migration) or use it to support an employer nomination (for 186 or 482).

Keep track of your assessment expiry date — you may need to renew before a visa decision is made.

What to Watch

Common Pitfalls

These errors frequently lead to delays, requests for further information, or adverse decisions. Most can be avoided with careful preparation.

Submitting uncertified or unofficial documents

Most assessing authorities require certified copies — not scans of originals. Documents in a language other than English generally require an official NAATI-certified translation. Submitting uncertified copies or unofficial translations is a common cause of delays and adverse decisions.

Employment references that don't meet the authority's format

Many authorities (VETASSESS, ACS, EA) require employment references in a specific format — employer letterhead, supervisor name, dates of employment, and a description of duties matching the ANZSCO unit group. Generic HR letters without duty descriptions are frequently rejected.

Claiming employment that doesn't match the assessed occupation

Employment must be in the nominated ANZSCO occupation or a closely related occupation at the same skill level. Earlier career roles, junior positions, or work in a related-but-different occupation may not count. Over-counting employment years is a common and serious error.

Missing the English requirement for the authority

Some assessing authorities (ANMAC, some ACS pathways, EA) require English test results as part of the skills assessment — separate from the visa's own English requirement. Check whether your authority requires English test results before submitting.

Applying to the wrong assessing authority

If your ANZSCO occupation has a designated assessing authority, you must use that authority. VETASSESS, for example, does not assess engineers — Engineers Australia does. A positive assessment from the wrong authority is not accepted by the Department of Home Affairs.

Document Checklist

Evidence Generally Required

The documents below cover most skills assessment applications. Requirements vary by authority — always check the authority's own checklist before lodging.

Current passport (all pages, certified copy)

Previous passports if relevant to employment or study dates

Name change documents (marriage certificate, deed poll) if applicable

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Have your skills assessment
reviewed before lodging

Navpreet Aulakh (MARN 2619467) can review your qualifications and employment history against the requirements of your assessing authority, identify gaps before they result in an adverse outcome, and advise on the right occupation and visa pathway for your circumstances.

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MARA-registered · MARN 2619467 · General information only

General information only — not immigration advice

About this information

This information is general in nature and does not constitute immigration assistance or legal advice for any individual situation. Requirements including occupation lists, fees and processing criteria change without notice.

No outcome representation

Nanak Migration Group Pty Ltd makes no representation that information on this site is complete, current or applicable to your circumstances. Nothing here guarantees, implies or represents any visa outcome, approval likelihood or processing time.

Get personal advice

Obtain advice tailored to your situation from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner. Navpreet Aulakh, MARN 2619467, is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

About this page

Assessing authority requirements, fees, processing times, and occupation lists are subject to change. This page does not constitute advice from an assessing authority. Confirm all requirements directly with the relevant assessing body and obtain advice from a registered migration agent before applying.

Information current as at July 2026. Verify all requirements with the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before lodging any application.

Skills Assessment
Explained

What a skills assessment is, who the designated assessing authorities are, and how the process generally works for Australian visa applications.

General information current as at July 2026. Requirements are subject to change — verify with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.

Feature

Typical occupations covered

Generally assesses

General validity

VETASSESS

Broad range of professional and trade occupations not covered by other bodies — accountants, HR professionals, librarians, chefs, many others

Qualifications against Australian equivalent level; employment history at the skill level

Generally 3 years

Engineers Australia (EA)

Engineers, engineering technologists, engineering associates, surveyors, spatial scientists

Academic qualifications, competency demonstration, and English for some pathways

Generally 3 years

ACS (Australian Computer Society)

ICT professionals — software engineers, analysts, database administrators, network engineers, ICT managers

Qualifications and employment history against ANZSCO skill level; may require a skills interview

Generally 3 years

TRA (Trades Recognition Australia)

Trade occupations — electricians, plumbers, carpenters, welders, refrigeration mechanics and other trades

Trade skills through the TRA pathway; may involve a skills assessment or recognition of overseas qualifications

Generally 3 years

AITSL

Teachers — early childhood, primary, secondary (all subjects)

Qualifications, professional standards, and teaching experience against Australian curriculum standards

Generally 5 years

CPA Australia / CAANZ

Accountants, auditors, finance professionals (shared with VETASSESS for some roles)

Accounting qualifications against the CPA or CA ANZ professional standards and equivalent Australian level

Generally 3 years

ANMAC

Registered nurses, enrolled nurses, midwives

Nursing or midwifery qualifications, registration, and practice hours against Australian standards

Generally 2 years (confirm with ANMAC)

Have your skills assessment
reviewed before lodging

Consultations in HindiConsultations in PunjabiConsultations in English

Main Assessing Authorities

The Assessment Process

Common Pitfalls

Evidence Generally Required

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Pages

Have your skills assessmentreviewed before lodging

Main Assessing Authorities

The Assessment Process

Common Pitfalls

Evidence Generally Required

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Pages

Have your skills assessmentreviewed before lodging

Have your skills assessment
reviewed before lodging

Have your skills assessment
reviewed before lodging