For many students preparing to migrate to Australia, one common term that often comes up during consultation is Skills Assessment. So, what exactly is a skills assessment? Why is it considered the very first step in a migration application? Let’s break it down in detail.

What is a Skills Assessment?

A skills assessment is one of the mandatory requirements set by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. It is conducted by relevant assessing authorities to determine whether the applicant’s qualifications and work experience match the nominated occupation. In simple terms, it is proof that you are competent to work in your chosen profession.

Why Do You Need a Skills Assessment?

• A compulsory requirement for Skilled Migration visas (subclass 189 / 190 / 491)
• A prerequisite for Employer-Sponsored, State-Sponsored, or Regional visas
• Some study programs also require a skills assessment upon graduation to gain extra migration points or access to migration pathways

Key Factors in a Skills Assessment

• Qualification Requirement
  • Must be relevant to the nominated occupation
  • Must meet Australian standards (usually Bachelor/Master’s degree or specific certificates)
• 2. Work Experience
  • Must be full-time, paid employment
  • Must be directly related to the nominated occupation
  • The required number of years must meet the authority’s threshold
• 3. English Proficiency
  • Some occupations require additional English test results (e.g., IELTS, PTE)

Common Assessing Authorities

• ACSACS (Australian Computer Society): IT-related professions
• Engineers AustraliaEngineers Australia: Engineering fields
• CPA / CAANZ / IPA: Accounting professions
• Nursing and midwifery professionsA major assessing authority covering management, education, marketing, scientific research, etc.
• Nursing and midwifery professionsNursing and midwifery professions
• Example: VETASSESS (Most Common Authority)School teaching professions

Example: VETASSESS (Most Common Authority) 

VETASSESS classifies occupations into Groups A–F, each with different requirements for qualifications and work experience.

Group A

• Qualification: Bachelor’s degree or higher, highly relevant to the nominated occupation
• Work: At least 1 year of post-qualification work experience in the last 5 years (pre-graduation work not accepted)

Group B

• Bachelor’s degree or higher + highly relevant: 1 year post-qualification work experience in the last 5 years
• Bachelor’s degree or higher + Associate Degree highly relevant: 2 years post-qualification experience
• Bachelor’s degree or higher but not highly relevant: 3 years post-qualification experience in the last 5 years

Group C

• Associate Degree or higher + highly relevant: 1 year post-qualification work experience in the last 5 years
• Associate Degree or higher + non-relevant but with AQF Certificate IV in a related field: 1 year post-qualification work experience
• Associate Degree or higher + non-relevant: 2 years post-qualification experience

Group D

• AQF Certificate IV equivalent + highly relevant: 1 year post-qualification experience
• AQF Certificate IV equivalent + non-relevant: 2 years post-qualification experience
• AQF Certificate III equivalent + highly relevant: 3 years post-qualification experience

Group E

• Diploma (Associate Degree equivalent), highly relevant: 1 year post-qualification experience in the last 5 years (pre-graduation experience not accepted)

Group F

• AQF Certificate II equivalent, highly relevant: 1 year post-qualification experience in the last 5 years
• AQF Certificate II equivalent, non-relevant: 2 years post-qualification experience in the last 5 years

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

• Q: I only have a graduation certificate but no degree certificate. Does it count as a Bachelor’s?

     A: No, only a graduation certificate without a degree certificate does not count as a Bachelor’s.

• Q: I don’t have social insurance or tax records, and my salary was paid in cash. Can I still apply?

A: It depends on the case. Consult directly for assessment.

• Q: Can work experience be counted without deductions? How many years are deducted?

A: VETASSESS will always deduct at least 1 year.

• Q: Do work reference letters need an official company stamp?

A: No, a supervisor’s signature is sufficient.

• Q: What if I don’t want my colleagues to know?

A: You are not required to use a current colleague as a referee.

• Q: My degree and my work are in different fields. Can I still pass?

A: Not every occupation requires a directly matched degree.

• Q: Can I have multiple skills assessments?

A: Yes, you can.

• Q: I heard VETASSESS phone checks are strict. Is this true?

A: Not always. Phone checks are rare if documents are genuine and reasonable. Suspicious cases are more likely to be checked.

• Q: Are phone checks in English or Chinese?

    A: In English, usually via phone or email.

• Q: Do you provide interview coaching for phone checks?

A: Yes, coaching is available.

• Q: I am an Australian graduate with no work experience. Can I apply?

A: You can apply for a 485 skills assessment, but not a full skills assessment.

• Q: Can PhD research work count as work experience?

A: Generally no, because scholarships and stipends are not considered “paid employment.” Only official, paid employment during a PhD counts.

Quick Reference Table

Processing Time

• Standard: 8–12 weeks Priority processing: Faster with extra fee

Impact of Skills Assessment Results

• Pass ✅: You can proceed to the visa application stage
• Fail ❌: Likely due to qualification or experience mismatch; may require additional study or experience

Case Studies

• Mr. Yang – Hotel Manager
  Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management in China + 2 years as Front Office Manager in a 5-star hotel. Submitted detailed job descriptions and reference letters. Successfully passed VETASSESS and received a 190 state nomination.
• Ms. Zhao – Massage Therapist
  Completed a Diploma of Remedial Massage in Australia + 1 year of full-time work in a rehabilitation clinic. With both qualification and experience aligned, she passed VETASSESS and applied through the 491 regional pathway.
• Mr. Wang – Food Technologist
  Bachelor’s in Food Science + 3 years of work in quality testing and R&D at a large food company. Provided lab records, employer references, and contracts. Successfully passed skills assessment and received an invitation under subclass 189.

Conclusion

A skills assessment is the gateway to skilled migration and employer sponsorship in Australia. By understanding which authority assesses your occupation, the requirements, and preparing the right documents in advance, you can save significant time and costs.

👉 Want to know if your qualifications and work experience can pass the skills assessment? Send us a private message with “Skills Assessment” for a free pre-assessment to minimize your risks!