Australia Skills Assessment: Process, Cost, PR Requirements & FAQs

The Australia skills assessment process follows roughly the same shape across every authority, While the format for a document checklist and specific timeline vary by authority, the Australia skills assessment process generally takes the same form in each authority. 

Before You Submit

1. Verify occupation & ANZSCO Code: This determination sets the stage for all other decisions, such as which authority to use to assess how to prepare your document list and even which visa may be granted to you. Look for a description that is most similar to your actual role and not necessarily your business card title, as assessors will make the comparison against the occupation description, not your business card title. If two occupations appear to fit, then choose the one that you feel you really do better in your daily work, as this is the most common reason for a negative outcome later. 

2. Gather your document:. Begin early as this will take longer than most anticipate. Academic transcripts and certificates of degree, reference letters detailing your specific role and dates of employment, a current CV which is identical to the reference letters, English language test results (where applicable as required by the author) and identity papers such as passport. If the document is not in English, it must be translated into English and this can take a few weeks depending on the language pair and availability of the translator. 

3.See the authority’s particular requirements:  Do not take it upon yourself to use a checklist that is from another authority. The formatting rules, acceptable evidence types, and limitation of file size differs from ACS, EA, VETASSESS and the rest. If you are about to scan anything, check your assessing authority’s document requirements page before you do, otherwise you’ll be wasting time reformatting documents later. 

After You Submit

4. Application and pay the fee: Nearly all government bodies are now accepting applications via their website. Before submitting, check each file uploaded as some portals will not allow documents to be replaced after the application has been submitted, just additional documents if later requested. 

5. Answer promptly any requests for additional information: When an application is marked as incomplete, the processing clock typically stops rather than resumes processing until the application is addressed. During this period, authorities typically set a time frame for the response—usually a few weeks—and it’s a good idea to follow up on your registered email frequently, rather than assuming nothing heard equals good news.

6. Receive your outcome: If it is positive, it is safe to proceed with your visa. If it’s negative, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a lost cause, most authorities will give you the chance to make a formal request for a reconsideration of the submission, or to apply again with more compelling evidence, depending on the circumstances. 

7. Use the outcome in your visa application:. If it is still valid when you submit your Expression of Interest, then it will be submitted as a positive assessment, and if it remains valid when you actually lodge your visa application, it will be included in the actual visa application. Make sure to have a copy of your outcome letter on hand for your visa process as you may need to refer to it multiple times.