Skill assessments are essential for supporting claims of qualifications and experience across various Australian visa subclasses. For certain visa types, a positive skill assessment is mandatory for the occupation selected for the client’s visa application.
Some of the visas that require a skills assessment include:
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)
- Employer Nominated Visa (Subclass 186)
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
- Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)
Relevant Assessing Authorities
The Department has specified which skill assessment authorities are qualified to evaluate particular occupations. Some of the most commonly used authorities include Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, ACS (for IT and computer-related professionals), and others, such as for Accountants, where multiple authorities may be approved to conduct assessments.
There are many occupations and assessing bodies, each with its own process, criteria, and timeframe. Processing times can vary depending on the occupation.
Requirements for Skill Assessment Applications
Most assessing bodies evaluate a candidate’s qualifications, professional licenses (if applicable), and work experience for the nominated occupation. Commonly, as a minimum, required documents for these applications include:
- Degree or Award Certificates and transcripts
- Employment references
- Project details report (if applying for Recognition of Prior Learning – RPL)
- Detailed curriculum vitae
- Personal identification documents (e.g., birth certificate, passport, ID card)
In some cases, applicants may need to provide a summary of each subject completed during their degree to demonstrate its relevance to the nominated occupation. It is crucial that all submitted documents are well-described, translated if necessary, and certified copies are provided. This ensures no significant experience is overlooked due to missing or incomplete documentation.
If you need assistance with skill assessments, we are here to help guide your clients through the process.
Timing of Skills Assessment
Most occupations have a designated assessing authority, and only skill assessments from the relevant authority are accepted by the Department. Therefore, it is important to ensure that clients arrange for their skill assessment well before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect or a visa application. Skill assessments obtained after receiving an invitation to apply cannot be used.
ANZSCO Code Requirements
The assessing body evaluates your qualifications and work experience against the ANZSCO (Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) code requirements. ANZSCO is a system used by the Department to define the qualifications and experience necessary for specific occupations in visa, settlement, and citizenship programs.
ANZSCO outlines the required skills, qualifications, and tasks associated with various occupations. For skilled migration visas, case officers will assess the applicant’s qualifications and work experience to ensure they meet the standards outlined in the relevant ANZSCO code for the occupation.
For more information on how ANZSCO applies to your client’s visa process, we are available to provide expert guidance and advice.