Understanding the Visa Application Process for Australia

How to Apply for a Skills Assessment for Your Occupation (Australian Visa Knowledge Base Guide)

Before reading about the step-by-step process, it’s important to know exactly what a skills assessment is and why it’s a crucial part of the Australian migration process. This guide will help you understand everything you need to know — from what’s involved, to selecting the right authority, costs, timelines, and frequently asked questions — so you can take the next step for your Australian visa journey with confidence.

What Is a Skills Assessment and Why Is It Important?

A skills assessment is a formal evaluation of your qualifications, education, and professional experience to determine if they meet Australian standards for a particular occupation.

Why Is It Required?

• Visa eligibility: For most skilled migration and employer-sponsored Australian Visa subclasses (such as the 189, 190, 491, and 186 visas), a positive skills assessment is mandatory.
• Job relevance: It confirms your skills and qualifications are suitable for the Australian labour market.
• Integrity: Maintains high standards for the Australian workforce and ensures only qualified migrants enter skilled occupations.

A positive skills assessment is often the first major step in your migration journey. Without it, visa applications in most skilled programs cannot proceed.

How Does a Skills Assessment Work in the Context of Australian Migration?

Step-by-Step Overview

1. Determine Your Occupation
   • Search the relevant Skilled Occupation List for your occupation code (ANZSCO) as per your proposed visa.
2. Find the Assessing Authority
   • Each occupation has an assigned skills assessing authority (e.g., Engineers Australia for engineers, ACS for ICT professionals, AITSL for teachers).
3. Review the Criteria
   • Each authority has its own standards and documentation requirements based on qualifications and work experience.
4. Collect Documentation
   • Examples: Degree certificates, transcripts, employment references, professional licenses.
5. Lodge Your Application
   • Submit online or via post, pay the required fee, and provide all necessary documents.
6. Wait for the Outcome
   • The authority will review your case and issue a skills assessment outcome letter — positive, negative, or sometimes "conditional".

Key Benefits & Features of Skills Assessments

• Transparency & Accountability: Formal and consistent checks for all applicants.
• International Recognition: Assessment aligns overseas qualifications with Australian benchmarks.
• Occupation-Specific: Assessment tailored to your profession’s regulatory needs.
• Foundational for Visa Pathways: Unlocks skilled independent, state-nominated, regional, employer-sponsored, and some temporary visa routes.

Who Typically Needs a Skills Assessment?

Skills assessments are generally required for:

• General Skilled Migration (GSM) applicants (subclasses 189, 190, 491)
• Some Employer Sponsored Visas (subclasses 186, 482, and 494)
• Some specified Temporary Graduate Visas (485 streams)
• Recognition of trade skills for licensing and employment

Common Professions & Assessing Authorities

Check your exact occupation on ausvisalibrary.com’s provider directory or the Department of Home Affairs occupation lists for the latest information.

What Documents Are Usually Needed?

• Passport (bio data page)
• Degree/diploma qualification certificates and full transcripts
• Evidence of professional registration or licensing (where applicable)
• Detailed employment references, on letterhead, confirming duties, position, and duration
• Payslips, tax statements, or contracts may be needed
• Curriculum vitae (CV)/resume

Note: Each assessing authority publishes a detailed document checklist on their website.

Application Procedure (Detailed)

1. Self-Assessment and Authority Selection

• Use the Australian Government’s occupation lists to cross-check your nominated occupation and corresponding authority.

2. Prepare Your Documents

• Certified copies are often required.
• Official English translations must be provided for any non-English documents.

3. Lodge the Application

• Most authorities provide online portals (e.g., ACS, Engineers Australia), but some accept paper or email applications.
• Pay required fees. (See below for typical costs.)

4. Await Processing

• Typical processing time: 8–12 weeks, but varies (see below).
• Some authorities offer express processing, but at an additional fee.

5. Receive Your Outcome Letter

• Positive: You can now proceed with your EOI or visa application.
• Negative or insufficient: Review, seek advice, or appeal if grounds exist.

Costs & Timelines