Key Changes in Assessment Fees for Professional and General Occupations

VETASSESS has recently updated regarding changes in assessment fees for professional and general occupations. Starting from November 20, 2024, the assessment fee will increase for professional and general occupations in Australia. 

 

The purpose of the fee adjustment is to ensure the sustainability of the assessment process. It will also align with the inflation rate. This significant change is the first fee adjustment since July 2023 that highlights the need to keep up with economic changes.

 

“VETASSESS has reviewed these assessment fees in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to make sure they remain appropriate and sustain”.

 

Background of the Story

However, the current fee structure of the assessment of various occupations is different based on the type of occupation and the applicant’s residency status. Generally, professional occupations included on VETASSESS occupations list include the roles that require a higher level of education and specialized skills such as marketing professional, management consultant, health diagnostic and promotion professionals, judicial and other legal professionals, visual arts and crafts professionals and more.

 

On the other hand, general occupations usually include a wide variety of occupations or roles included on on VETASSESS occupations list that may not require extensive qualifications, such as building and engineering technicians, technical sales representative, hospitality, retail and service managers, and more.

 

Previous changes in the assessment fee structure were made in July 2023. These adjustments were made based on the economic conditions of that time while maintaining the fees’ sustainability and fairness for both applicants and assessment authorities equally. 

 

Details of Key Changes in Assessment Fees for Professional and General Occupations

According to the news updates on VETASSESS’s official website, a new fee structure has been introduced, with a significant increase in application fees for assessment for both professional and general occupations in Australia. 

 

For instance, the fee for a full skills assessment for professional occupations will increase for both onshore applicants who are residing within Australia and offshore applicants who are applying from outside Australia. Similarly, the assessment fees for general occupations will also see a proportional rise for all the applicants.

 

Here is a new fee structure for various professional and general Occupations:

 

Service Categories	Current Fees (AUD)	New Fees (AUD)
Full Skills Assessment – including Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) and Industry Labour Agreements (ILA)	$1033	$1070
Priority Processing – supplementary fee for applicable applications	$806	$806
Points Test Advice (non-VETASSESS occupations)	$293	$304
485 Assessment	$392	$406
Post-485 Assessment (under the same occupation)	$803	$832

 

Review of Assessment Outcome (within 90-day timeframe) (including DAMA and ILA) 

 

Service Categories	Current Fees (AUD)	New Fees (AUD)
Qualification only (Negative due to qualification)	$320	$332
Employment only (Negative due to any reason except qualification)	$575	$595
Both Qualification and Employment (Negative due to any reason including qualification)	$861	$892
Reassessment – Change of occupation	$702	$728
Appeal	$1020	$1057
Renewal of Skills Assessment	$446	$462

 

Note: The Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) is not included in this revised fees of assessment. Though, this new fee structure will be applied from November 20, 2024.

 Skills Assessment Support (SAS) 

 

Service Categories	Current Fees	New Fees
SAS Consultation Service for Migration Agents and Lawyers	$349	$362
SAS Consultation Service for Applicants	$247	$256
SAS Document Checking Service	$161	$167

 

Chinese Qualifications Verification (CQV) 

 

Service Categories	Current Fees	New Fees
Degree Certificate	$140	$145
Certificate of Graduation	$140	$145
Academic transcript or exam record	$172	$178

 

Complementary Health Therapies Assessment (CHT)

 

Service Categories	Current Fees	New Fees
CHT – Qualifications Assessment	$376	$389
CHT – Additional Modality	$215	$223

 

Psychotherapy and Counselling Qualifications Assessment (PACFA)

 

Service Categories	Current Fees	New Fees
PACFA – Qualification assessment against AQF	$269	$278
PACFA – Qualifications assessment against AQF and PACFA Training Standards	$376	$389

 

Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA

 

Service Categories	Current Fees	New Fees
Qualifications comparison to the AQF	$269	$278

 

Admin Fees – General 

 

Service Categories	Current Fees	New Fees
Reopening of closed application	$161	$167
Refund – non-Priority Processing application (for which more than $400 was paid)	$161	$167
Refund – Priority Processing application	$161	$167
Refund – CHT, PACFA, FASEA	$64	$67
SAS consultation refund	$43	$45
SAS document check refund	$32	$33
CQV or Points Test (non-VETASSESS) refund where total refundable amount is less than $200	$32	$33
CQV or Points Test (non-VETASSESS) refund where total refundable amount is between $200 and $299	$43	| $45
CQV or Points Test (non-VETASSESS) refund where total refundable amount is $300 or more	$64	$67
Reissue of outcome letter	$71	$73

 

 Others Service Categories

 

Service Categories	Current Fees	New Fees
AMI Credentials	$220	$228

Note: The Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) is not included in these revised assessment fees. This new fee structure will be applied from November 20, 2024.

 

What is a Skills Assessment?

A Skills Assessment is the process through which VETASSESS evaluates the applicants’ qualifications, skills, and work experience to determine whether they meet the standard requirements for the nominated occupation in Australia. This assessment is essential for individuals who intend to migrate to Australia under General Skilled Migration Programs.

 

What will the Impact of Fee Increase on the Stakeholders?

However, this fee increment is due to adjustments for inflation and the need to cover the rising Cost of administering the assessments. But, there will be some potential impacts on different stakeholders after this fee assessment takes effect from November 20, 2024. 

 

For instance, the high evaluation fee for professionals and general occupation workers may represent an additional financial burden. Though, this significant adjustment is necessary to maintain the quality and efficiency of the VETASSESS assessment process in Australia.

 

Benefits of Changes in Assessment Fees for Professional and General Occupations

However, with this sudden rise in assessment fees for Australian professional and general occupations, applicants might have to face some challenges and limitations. But, there are some potential benefits such as: 

1. Fast Processing Times

With the additional revenue, there will be fast and streamline processing time for assessment that will reduce the processing time it takes for application assessment or evaluation.

2. Improved Services

With more funds, assessment bodies or authorities like VETASSESS can invest in better resources, technology, and training for their staff, which can lead to higher quality and more reliable assessments for the applicants.

3. Sustainability

With regular fee adjustments, there will be more funds to ensure financial sustainability during the assessment process. It will allow these assessment bodies to continue delivering their assessment services without compromising the quality. 

4. Quality Assurance

This fee adjustment can also support rigorous quality assurance measures to guarantee that assessments are thorough and meet all the high standards of occupational assessment.

 

Conclusion

So, you have understood that these upcoming changes in assessment fees for professional and general occupations in Australia are necessary adjustments. That will align with inflation and guarantee the sustainability of the assessment process. Somehow this fee increase can pose some challenges for some applicants, but it is also expected to bring about various improvements in the quality of services and processing times as well.

 

Despite the changes in assessment fees for professional and general occupations, you are encouraged to submit your applications for your prior Australia visa before November 20. This will let you take advantage of the current fee structure.

 

For professional help regarding your application, get in touch with the expert migration agent at the Migration. Our expert team will guide you through the application process and provide expert opinion. So, don’t waste time and submit your application before the new fees take effect.

 

For more updates and further information continue follow our News and Blogs section at our website. Further, to talk with our expert migration agent, book an appointment now!

 

So, don’t waste your time; submit your application before the new fees take effect.