If you are a skilled migrant and planning to migrate to Australia, you might be asked to obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing body.
So, whether you’re an engineer, a healthcare professional, or in another skilled occupation, a skills assessment is essential to applying for the skilled migration program in Australia.
Therefore, you must understand the basics of skills assessment. Continue reading this blog to learn all about skills assessment. This blog provides a comprehensive overview of what a skills assessment is, the role of assessing authorities, and a list of these authorities to help you get started.
What is a Skills Assessment?
A skills assessment evaluates an employee’s proficiency, qualifications, experience, and skills required for a certain job or sector. The Australian Government requires you to have a positive skills assessment in order to apply for certain visas. These visas and streams include the following:
- General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas
- Employer-sponsored visas
- Temporary Skill Shortage visa (TSS).
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).
So, if you are planning to apply for these visas, you might be required to submit a skills assessment. Moreover, you should read all available information regarding the visa you want to apply for. This can help you establish whether you need to submit a skills assessment and when you should get it.
Important Note: A skills assessment is only effective until the expiry date mentioned on the assessment or three years from the date of issue, whichever occurs first.
What is a Skills Assessing Authority?
A skills assessment authority refers to an agency that ensures that your skills meet the requirements required to work in a relevant occupation.
The combined list of eligible skilled occupations includes all relevant occupations from four occupation listings. Most of the occupations on each list have their own skill assessment authority. The Department of Home Affairs only accepts a skills evaluation given by the appropriate assessment authority.
It is your responsibility to contact the appropriate assessing authority for your occupation and request a skills assessment, if necessary. Each assessing authority has its own assessment procedures, deadlines, and fees.
List of Skills Assessment Assessing Authorities in Australia
There are multiple skill assessment authorities in Australia depending on the occupation. Below is a list of these authorities with the full name and address. Have a look.
Name | Full Name | Address |
AACA | Architects Accreditation Council of Australia | http://www.aaca.org.au |
AASW | Australian Association of Social Workers Limited | http://www.aasw.asn.au |
ACECQA | Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality | https://www.acecqa.gov.au/ |
ACPSEM | Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine | http://www.acpsem.org.au |
ACS | Australian Computer Society Incorporated | http://www.acs.org.au |
ACS (Data Scientist only) | Australian Computer Society Incorporated. | http://www.acs.org.au |
ACWA | Australian Community Workers Association Inc. | http://www.acwa.org.au |
ADC | Australian Dental Council Limited | http://www.adc.org.au |
AIMS | Australian Institute of Medical Scientists | http://www.aims.org.au |
AIQS | The Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors | http://www.aiqs.com.au |
AITSL | Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Limited | http://www.aitsl.edu.au |
AMSA | Australian Maritime Safety Authority | http://www.amsa.gov.au |
ANMAC | Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council Limited | http://www.anmac.org.au |
ANZPAC | Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council Limited | https://iliadint.com/en/article/1205-Australian-and-New-Zealand-Podiatry-Accreditation-Council-ANZPAC |
ANZSNM | Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine | http://www.anzsnm.org.au |
AOAC | Australasian Osteopathic Accreditation Council Limited | http://www.osteopathiccouncil.org.au |
AOPA | Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association Limited | https://www.aopa.org.au |
APC | Australian Physiotherapy Council Limited | http://www.physiocouncil.com.au |
APharmC | Australian Pharmacy Council Limited | https://www.pharmacycouncil.org.au |
APS | Australian Psychological Society Limited | http://www.psychology.org.au |
ASMIRT | Australian Society of Medical Imagery and Radiation Therapy | http://www.asmirt.org |
AVBC | Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Incorporated | http://www.avbc.asn.au |
CAANZ | Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand | https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/ |
CASA | Civil Aviation Safety Authority | http://www.casa.gov.au |
CCEA | Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia Limited | http://www.ccea.com.au |
CMBA | Chinese Medicine Board of Australia | http://www.chinesemedicineboard.gov.au |
CPAA | CPA Australia Ltd | http://www.cpaaustralia.com.au |
DAA | Dietitians Association of Australia | http://daa.asn.au |
Engineers Australia | The Institution of Engineers Australia | http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au |
IML | Institute of Managers and Leaders National | https://managersandleaders.com.au/ |
IPA | Institute of Public Accountants Ltd | http://www.publicaccountants.org.au |
Legal admissions authority of a state or territory | Legal admissions authority of a state or territory | New South Wales
Email: ag_lpab@agd.nsw.gov.au Queensland Email: admissions@qls.com.au South Australia Email: email@lawsocietysa.asn.au Tasmania Email: info@lst.org.au Victoria Email: lawadmissions@justice.vic.gov.au Western Australia Email: general@lpbwa.com Northern Territory Email: dwnsupcrtreg.doj@nt.gov.au |
MedBA | Medical Board of Australia | http://www.ahpra.gov.au |
NAATI | National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd. | http://www.naati.com.au |
OCANZ | Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand Limited | http://www.ocanz.org |
OTC | Occupational Therapy Council of Australia Limited | http://www.otcouncil.com.au |
PodBA | Podiatry Board of Australia | https://www.podiatryboard.gov.au/ |
SPA | The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited | http://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au |
SSSI | Surveying and Spatial Sciences
Institute Limited |
https://sssi.org.au |
TRA | Trades Recognition Australia | http://tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au |
TRA (trades) | Trades Recognition Australia | http://tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au |
VETASSESS | Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services | https://www.vetassess.com.au |
VETASSESS (non-trades) | Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services | https://www.vetassess.com.au/ |
How to Get a Skills Assessment?
First of all, you must do your own research to find out the relevant assessing body for your occupation. It is advisable to take professional help in this regard. You can also contact our migration agent, Nasir Nawaz, at The Migration. Once you have found the relevant body, follow these steps to get a skills assessment:
Step 1: Contact the relevant assessing authority.
Contact the appropriate assessment authority for your occupation. Check to see which skills assessing authority is appropriate for your specified occupation, and plan your skills assessment well in advance of applying for the visa.
Each evaluating authority has its own procedures, timetables, and fees. The assessment of your qualifications and experience by the assessing authority can take some time.
Step 2: Receive your assessment.
Prepare and submit all necessary documents, such as your academic qualifications, work experience, and any other relevant information. After submitting the documents, pay the skills assessment fee and wait for the outcome.
Once you receive your skills assessment, submit a scanned, verified copy of the appropriate skills assessment with your visa application. If you do not receive a positive assessment result, you are unable to apply for a skilled migration visa.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, obtaining a positive skills assessment is a critical step for skilled migrants planning to move to Australia. It evaluates your qualifications and experience and makes sure that you meet the standards required for your occupation.
By following the outlined steps and contacting the appropriate assessing authority, you can navigate this process effectively. Remember, a successful skills assessment can significantly enhance your chances of securing the desired visa and starting your new life in Australia.
How Can The Migration Help You?
The Migration is a registered company that provides authentic visa and education consultation services. We have a MARA-certified agent, Nasir Nawaz, in our team who has a wide range of experience in the Australian immigration field. So, if you want to get help to obtain a positive skills assessment, feel free to contact us.
FAQs
Which types of visas and streams require a skills assessment for applicants?
You may need a skills assessment if you apply for the following visas and streams in Australia.
- General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas
- Employer-sponsored visas
- Temporary Skill Shortage visa (TSS).
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).
What is the best skill assessment authority in Australia?
VETASSES is Australia’s primary trade assessment body, with the ability to assess 27 different trade occupations.
Can I apply for a 482 visa without a skill assessment?
Under certain circumstances, you can apply for a 482 visa without a skills assessment. But mostly it depends on your occupation and nationality. Certain occupations and passport holders are required to provide a skills assessment. Always check the specific requirements for your situation.
I, Samavia Shahid, am a researcher and content writer at The Migration. I create easy-to-understand and informative content for people who want to move to Australia. My goal is to make the migration process simpler and less stressful for everyone.