If you are interested in applying for most Australian Permanent Work visas (e.g. all GSM visas, Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) via the Direct Entry stream) you should hold a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing body.

 

Some temporary Australian work visas will also require applicants to hold a positive skills assessment (depending on the occupation and nationality of the visa applicant) as part of the eligibility criteria.

 

If you apply for these visas without a positive skills assessment, your application will be refused.

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Here are the main assessment bodies which are authorised to conduct skills assessment:

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Australian Computer Society (ACS)

ACS is the authorised assessing authority that undertakes skills assessment for skilled migration. ACS assess the skills and qualifications of ICT professionals who are considering migration to Australia to work in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. 

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ACS Assessment time:

A complete assessment will take 10-12 weeks. All applications are processed as soon as possible. The processing time will depend on the quality of the documentation and information provided. 

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Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services (Vetassess)

Vetassess is the authorised body chosen by the Department of Home Affairs to assess a wide variety of Professional Occupations as well as Trade Occupations for different visa types like point test advice, Chinese qualifications verifications, training plans and more.

 

Vetassess Assessment time:

The approximate time for a full Skills Assessment is 12-14 weeks unless choosing to apply via the Priority Processing pathway, which reduces the processing time to 10 business days. For priority processing, there is an extra cost of $660.

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Engineers Australia (EA)

Engineers Australia is the authorised assessing authority who provides skills assessment services for engineers who wish to migrate to Australia.

 

EA Assessment time:

• Non-accredited qualifications: 9 weeks before the application is assigned to a case officer.

• Accredited Australian and Accord qualifications: 7 weeks before the application is assigned to a case officer.

• Applicants can reduce this turnaround time and have your application assigned to a case officer in 20 working days with the fast track service. Fast track fees are $335.50.

 

 

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)

TRA is a skills assessment service provider specialising in assessments for people with trade skills gained overseas or in Australia, for migration and skills recognition. TRA offers several different skills assessment programs based on occupation, country of passport, location of the study and the type of visa seeking.

 

TRA Assessment time:

MPA applications are generally are finalised within 120 days from your online submission.

 

 

Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA)

AACA is the authorised assessing authority which underpins all assessment processes, including the accreditation of Architecture programs leading to registration as an Architect in Australia.

 

AACA Assessment time:

Generally, it takes a maximum of 12 weeks to process applications once complete applications are received.

 

 

Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL)

AITSL provides skills assessment services to Teachers who wish to migrate to Australia. A skills assessment determines suitability for School Teacher occupations for Australia's skilled migration program.

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AITSL Assessment time:

The standard assessment time is 10 weeks from the date of AITSL's initial notification email.

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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

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For some occupations, there is an option to get accredited based on years of experience in the profession with lower to none formal qualification requirements. The process often requires an extensive set of evidence and in some cases requires a technical test and even a demonstration of the skills.

 

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How do I know which skills assessment body to use?

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There are many different professions listed in the Migration Regulation. Each occupation has a unique set of tasks which defines that occupation. Each occupation has one assessment body which is authorised to provide the skills assessment to that specific occupation.

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Don't risk your skills assessment

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There are strict requirements to be granted a positive skills assessment. There is high significance to the employment experience, type of qualification, certifications and their origin, and the content of the reference letters. These requirements are specific to each profession and often will vary between assessment bodies.

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When applying for a skills assessment, you want the assurance that the person who is guiding you is experienced with dealing with the relevant assessing body and preferably already got positive results for the same profession. 

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We have many years of experience supporting our clients in applying for their skills assessment and receiving favourable outcomes. We've dealt with all of the above assessment bodies and familiar with their unique requirements. 

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If you need to apply to an assessment body not mentioned above, we are happy to review the application process and requirements and help you submit your application.

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If you have any questions about the skills assessment process, you are welcome to contact us.

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The LifeinAus Team

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