Whether you’re in the process of migrating to Australia or already living here and needing a skills assessment to stay on a specific visa, this is a critical step in your journey.
A skills assessment verifies that your qualifications and work experience align with Australian standards for your nominated occupation. This process is designed to ensure you meet the necessary criteria to contribute effectively to the Australian workforce. The process is designed to ensure that your qualifications and experience align with Australian standards for your nominated occupation. Gaining a full understanding of how to navigate this procedure is essential for a successful migration experience.
In this article, we’ll provide the key information needed so that you can achieve a positive skills assessment, giving you the knowledge on what a skills assessment is, which documentation is required, and how to submit your application.
What is a Skills Assessment?
A skills assessment is an evaluation conducted by an Australian assessing authority to determine whether your qualifications and professional experience align with the standards required for your occupation. It is a mandatory step for many skilled visa categories, including General Skilled Migration visas and Employer Sponsored visas.
However, not every Australian visa requires a skill assessment. For example the temporary skill shortage visa (Subclass 482), enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers. A skills assessment is not universally required; it depends on the occupation and the applicant’s nationality. For certain occupations and passport holders, a skills assessment is mandatory, while others may be exempt.
Identifying the Appropriate Assessing Authority
Each occupation listed on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List is associated with a specific assessing authority responsible for evaluating qualifications and experience in that field. For instance, VETASSESS is a prominent, well-used assessing authority for numerous professional and trade occupations. It’s important to identify and engage with the correct authority associated with your occupation to ensure a successful assessment.
Below is a more list of some but not all of the assessing authorities:
- VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services): Assesses a wide range of general professional occupations, including managers, administrators, and service providers.
- Engineers Australia: Responsible for assessing engineering professionals across various disciplines such as civil, mechanical, electrical, and electronics engineering.
- Australian Computer Society (ACS): Evaluates qualifications and experience for ICT professionals, including software engineers, systems analysts, and network administrators.
- Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC): Assesses the skills and qualifications of nurses and midwives seeking to migrate to Australia.
- Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL): Responsible for assessing school teachers, including primary and secondary educators.
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ): Evaluates qualifications for accountants and auditors.
- Australian Dental Council (ADC): Assesses dental practitioners, including dentists and dental specialists.
- Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC): Evaluates qualifications for physiotherapists.
- Australian Psychological Society (APS): Assesses psychologists’ qualifications and experience.
- Trades Recognition Australia (TRA): Responsible for assessing trade occupations, including electricians, plumbers, and carpenters.
- Community Work Australia: Assesses welfare and community workers.
- Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS): Evaluates qualifications for quantity surveyors.
- Australian Veterinary Association (AVA): Assesses veterinarians’ qualifications and experience.
- Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA): Responsible for assessing aeroplane and helicopter pilots.
- Dietitians Association of Australia: Evaluates qualifications for dietitians.
- Legal Admissions Authority of the relevant State or Territory: Assesses legal professionals, including solicitors and barristers.
- Medical Board of Australia (MedBA): Responsible for assessing medical practitioners, including general practitioners and specialists.
Preparing Your Documentation
Before applying, it’s important to note that each assessing authority has its own specific requirements. The documents needed for your skills assessment may vary depending on your occupation and the authority responsible for evaluating it. We recommend checking the official website of your assessing authority or contacting them directly to confirm their requirements.
The following is an indicative list of documents commonly required:
1. Personal Identification:
- Primary Identification: Provide a clear, color copy of your current passport, specifically the photo identification page. This serves as the primary document verifying your identity.
- Secondary Identification: In addition to your passport, supply two other forms of identification. Acceptable documents include:
- Birth certificate
- National identity card
- Driver’s licence
- Official photo-bearing documents such as a student ID, proof of age card, or working with children card.
- Name Change Documentation: If your current name differs from that on your primary identification, provide official evidence of the name change, such as a marriage certificate or legal name change document.
3. Educational Qualifications:
- Degree Certificates and Transcripts: Submit colour copies of your academic degrees, diplomas, or certificates, along with corresponding transcripts detailing the courses undertaken and grades achieved. Ensure these documents are from recognised institutions relevant to your nominated occupation.
4. Professional Experience:
- Employment References: Provide detailed reference letters from your employers on official company letterhead. Each letter should include:
- Your official job title
- Detailed description of duties and responsibilities
- Employment duration (start and end dates)
- Hours worked per week
- Employer’s contact information
- Payslips and Tax Documents: Include copies of payslips, tax returns, or other official documents that substantiate your employment history and income.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Prepare a current CV outlining your professional history, including job titles, responsibilities, and durations of employment.
5. English Language Proficiency:
- Test Results: Depending on the requirements of the assessing authority, provide results from an approved English language proficiency test, such as:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
- Validity: Ensure that your test results are current and meet the minimum score requirements specified by the relevant assessing authority.
6. Professional Certifications and Licenses:
- Document Certification and Translation:
- Certification: Copies of all documents must be certified by an authorised official, confirming that they are true copies of the originals. Acceptable certifiers vary by country but often include notaries public, justices of the peace, or other authorised officials.
- Translation: Documents not originally in English must be translated by accredited translators. Both the original and translated documents should be submitted, ensuring clarity and accuracy.
- Certification Documents: If applicable, provide copies of professional certifications, licenses, or registrations pertinent to your occupation.
- Issuing Authority Details: Include information about the issuing authority, such as contact details and the date of issuance.
7. Additional Considerations:
- Assessing Authority Requirements: It’s important to consult the official guidelines of the relevant authority to ensure all criteria are met.
- Application Completeness: Incomplete or improperly prepared applications can lead to processing delays or refusals.
- Submission of fraudulent or misleading information: This can lead to application refusal and potential bans on future applications.
Detailed and well-organised documentation facilitates a smoother assessment process.
Submitting Your Application
Once your documentation is in order, you can submit your application to the designated assessing authority. Many authorities, including the likes of VETASSESS, offer an online application portal to streamline the submission process. To avoid any delays or complications, it’s essential to follow the specific guidelines the authority provides and submit any relevant documentation before the deadline.
Awaiting the Outcome
After submission, the assessing authority will review your application to determine if your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards. Processing times can vary, so it’s advisable to consult the authority’s official website for the most current information. Patience during this period is crucial, as the assessment outcome is a pivotal component of your migration application.
Understanding the Validity of Your Skills Assessment
How long is a skill assessment valid for? A positive skills assessment has a validity period. For example, assessments conducted by CPA Australia are typically valid for three years from the date you receive the initial assessment outcome, after which a new assessment may be required.
Understanding the validity period of your assessment ensures that your migration plans remain on track and compliant with Australian immigration requirements.
Navigating the Path Ahead
Securing a positive skills assessment is a significant milestone in your migration journey. It not only validates your qualifications and experience but also enhances your eligibility for various skilled visa options. Given the complexities involved, seeking professional guidance can be beneficial. Engaging with a migration agent in Melbourne can provide personalised assistance tailored to your circumstances, ensuring that you meet all necessary requirements and increase your chances of a successful migration outcome.
Partnering with Australian Migration Experts
Navigating the complexities of the common question we hear our clients ask: ‘How to do a skills assessment?’, along with the broader migration process, can be overwhelming, even for the best of us. At Ebra Partners, we specialise in expert legal and consulting support to help you confidently achieve your migration goals.
Our deep understanding of Australian immigration regulations, combined with our tailored approach, ensures that cultural, regulatory, and technical barriers don’t stand in your way.
What sets Ebra Partners apart is our unwavering commitment to client success. We believe in fostering lasting prosperity not just for our clients but also for the communities we serve. Our unique approach ensures that cultural, regulatory, and technical barriers don’t hinder your progress. Whether you’re looking for assistance with how to do a skills assessment, or expert advice on a general skilled visa application, Ebra Partners is your go-to source.
With inclusivity, integrity, and expertise at our core, we provide more than just migration services—we offer a partnership built on trust.
Let Ebra Partners be your strategic partner in building a successful future in your new home – Australia. We’ll turn your aspirations into reality with confidence and clarity.