[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":358},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-2026-06-26-skills-assessment-explained":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"author":6,"body":7,"coverImage":335,"dataMonth":336,"description":13,"extension":337,"faqs":338,"meta":344,"navigation":345,"path":346,"publishedAt":347,"seo":348,"stem":349,"summary":350,"tags":351,"__hash__":357},"blog\u002Fblog\u002F2026-06-26-skills-assessment-explained.md","Skills assessment for Australian visas: 2026 guide","Migrant Hub",{"type":8,"value":9,"toc":311},"minimark",[10,14,19,22,31,35,38,45,51,57,63,68,168,171,175,178,182,185,188,191,195,198,202,205,228,236,246,250,258,261,265,269,272,276,279,283,286,290,293,297,300,304],[11,12,13],"p",{},"A skills assessment is a formal evaluation by an approved Australian authority that confirms your qualifications and work experience are suitable for your nominated occupation. Without a positive assessment, you cannot lodge most skilled migration visas. Understanding which authority assesses your occupation — and what they require — is one of the first practical steps in any skilled visa application.",[15,16,18],"h2",{"id":17},"what-is-a-skills-assessment","What is a skills assessment?",[11,20,21],{},"A skills assessment is a document issued by a government-approved assessing authority that verifies your overseas (or Australian) qualifications and employment history are comparable to Australian standards for a specific occupation. The assessment is occupation-specific: it is not a general credential check. If you change your nominated occupation, you may need a separate assessment from a different authority.",[11,23,24,25,30],{},"The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) — covered in detail in ",[26,27,29],"a",{"href":28},"\u002Fblog\u002F2026-06-05-what-is-anzsco","What is ANZSCO and why does it matter for your Australian visa? (2026)"," — links each occupation code to its designated assessing authority. You do not choose which authority assesses you; the authority is determined by your ANZSCO occupation code.",[15,32,34],{"id":33},"how-does-a-skills-assessment-work","How does a skills assessment work?",[11,36,37],{},"The process differs between authorities, but the broad steps are consistent.",[11,39,40,44],{},[41,42,43],"strong",{},"Step 1 — Identify your authority."," Look up your ANZSCO occupation code on the Department of Home Affairs website. The code will tell you which body is responsible.",[11,46,47,50],{},[41,48,49],{},"Step 2 — Gather documents."," Most authorities require certified copies of academic transcripts, degree certificates, employment reference letters, and proof of identity. Some require statutory declarations or skills gap bridging.",[11,52,53,56],{},[41,54,55],{},"Step 3 — Submit and pay."," Each authority charges its own fee and operates its own portal. Assessment timeframes vary — some take weeks, others several months. Check the authority's current processing times before you lodge.",[11,58,59,62],{},[41,60,61],{},"Step 4 — Receive the outcome."," A positive assessment confirms your skills meet Australian standards for the nominated occupation. A negative assessment (or a partial or conditional one) may be reviewed or appealed, depending on the authority's rules.",[64,65,67],"h3",{"id":66},"key-assessing-authorities-by-field","Key assessing authorities by field",[69,70,71,87],"table",{},[72,73,74],"thead",{},[75,76,77,81,84],"tr",{},[78,79,80],"th",{},"Occupation field",[78,82,83],{},"Assessing authority",[78,85,86],{},"Common examples",[88,89,90,102,113,124,135,146,157],"tbody",{},[75,91,92,96,99],{},[93,94,95],"td",{},"ICT professionals",[93,97,98],{},"ACS (Australian Computer Society)",[93,100,101],{},"Software engineers, ICT business analysts",[75,103,104,107,110],{},[93,105,106],{},"Engineers",[93,108,109],{},"Engineers Australia (EA)",[93,111,112],{},"Civil, mechanical, electrical engineers",[75,114,115,118,121],{},[93,116,117],{},"Accountants",[93,119,120],{},"CPA Australia \u002F CAANZ \u002F IPA",[93,122,123],{},"Accountants, auditors",[75,125,126,129,132],{},[93,127,128],{},"Healthcare & science",[93,130,131],{},"VETASSESS \u002F AHPRA",[93,133,134],{},"Occupational therapists, pharmacists",[75,136,137,140,143],{},[93,138,139],{},"Trades & technical",[93,141,142],{},"TRA (Trades Recognition Australia)",[93,144,145],{},"Electricians, plumbers, chefs",[75,147,148,151,154],{},[93,149,150],{},"Teachers",[93,152,153],{},"AITSL",[93,155,156],{},"School teachers",[75,158,159,162,165],{},[93,160,161],{},"Many other professionals",[93,163,164],{},"VETASSESS",[93,166,167],{},"Wide range of professional occupations",[11,169,170],{},"This table covers the most common fields. A small number of occupations are assessed by more specialised bodies — always verify against the official Home Affairs list.",[64,172,174],{"id":173},"acs-ict-occupations","ACS — ICT occupations",[11,176,177],{},"The Australian Computer Society assesses ICT-related occupations. ACS requires academic qualifications plus employment experience. Applicants without a relevant degree may still qualify through a skills-based pathway if they have sufficient years of experience, but the bar is higher. ACS assessments are valid for three years.",[64,179,181],{"id":180},"engineers-australia","Engineers Australia",[11,183,184],{},"Engineers Australia (EA) assesses engineering professionals against the Washington, Sydney, or Dublin Accord frameworks depending on the engineering discipline and level of qualification. EA assessments are categorised by engineering pathway (professional engineer, engineering technologist, or engineering associate) and each has different requirements.",[64,186,164],{"id":187},"vetassess",[11,189,190],{},"VETASSESS covers a broad range of professional and technical occupations — from veterinarians and pharmacists to chefs and social workers. For professional occupations, VETASSESS requires a qualification comparable to Australian degree level, plus relevant post-qualification employment in the nominated occupation.",[64,192,194],{"id":193},"tra-trade-occupations","TRA — trade occupations",[11,196,197],{},"Trades Recognition Australia handles trade and some technical occupations. Tradespeople typically need to demonstrate their qualifications and experience against Australian competency standards. Some trade occupations also require a skills assessment before they can sit a practical trade test.",[15,199,201],{"id":200},"when-does-a-skills-assessment-apply","When does a skills assessment apply?",[11,203,204],{},"A skills assessment is required for most skilled visas, including the:",[206,207,208,212,215,218,221],"ul",{},[209,210,211],"li",{},"Subclass 189 (Skilled — Independent)",[209,213,214],{},"Subclass 190 (Skilled — Nominated)",[209,216,217],{},"Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional)",[209,219,220],{},"Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) in some streams",[209,222,223,227],{},[26,224,226],{"href":225},"\u002Fvisas\u002F482-skills-in-demand-sid-visa","Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482)"," — for certain stream or occupation combinations",[11,229,230,231,235],{},"For the points-tested visas (189, 190, 491), a positive skills assessment is required before you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. Your EOI sits in the pool while you wait for invitations — if you are not across how that process works, ",[26,232,234],{"href":233},"\u002Fblog\u002F2026-06-10-after-submitting-eoi","What happens after you submit an EOI in SkillSelect: 2026 guide"," walks through each stage.",[11,237,238,239,245],{},"You can track which occupations are receiving invitations and at what points thresholds via the ",[26,240,244],{"href":241,"rel":242},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.migranthub.com.au\u002Fdashboard\u002Foccupation-rankings",[243],"nofollow","Migrant Hub occupation rankings dashboard"," — useful for deciding whether to proceed with an assessment or hold off.",[64,247,249],{"id":248},"when-a-skills-assessment-is-not-required","When a skills assessment is NOT required",[11,251,252,253,257],{},"Not every Australian visa requires one. Student visas, visitor visas, partner visas, and working holiday visas (including the ",[26,254,256],{"href":255},"\u002Fvisas\u002F462-work-and-holiday","Work and Holiday Subclass 462",") generally do not. Employer-sponsored pathways may handle skills verification differently depending on the stream and occupation.",[11,259,260],{},"If your situation is complex — for instance, you hold qualifications from multiple countries, have a mix of full-time and part-time experience, or your job title does not map neatly to a single ANZSCO code — the rules vary enough that you should consider speaking to a MARA-registered migration agent for your specific circumstances.",[15,262,264],{"id":263},"common-questions","Common questions",[64,266,268],{"id":267},"how-long-is-a-skills-assessment-valid-for","How long is a skills assessment valid for?",[11,270,271],{},"Validity periods differ by authority. ACS assessments are valid for three years. Engineers Australia and VETASSESS assessments also carry expiry dates, but the specific period varies. Check the issuing authority's current policy, because a lapsed assessment cannot be used to support a visa application or EOI.",[64,273,275],{"id":274},"can-i-submit-my-eoi-before-my-skills-assessment-is-complete","Can I submit my EOI before my skills assessment is complete?",[11,277,278],{},"No — for points-tested visas (subclasses 189, 190, and 491), you must hold a positive skills assessment before you can submit an EOI in SkillSelect. Submitting without one is not permitted under the current system.",[64,280,282],{"id":281},"what-happens-if-my-skills-assessment-is-negative","What happens if my skills assessment is negative?",[11,284,285],{},"Most authorities have a review or appeal process. The timeframe and grounds for review differ by authority. If the negative result stands, you may be able to apply for a different occupation that better matches your actual qualifications and experience, or explore employer-sponsored pathways that have different skills verification requirements.",[64,287,289],{"id":288},"do-i-need-a-new-skills-assessment-if-i-change-my-nominated-occupation","Do I need a new skills assessment if I change my nominated occupation?",[11,291,292],{},"Yes, in most cases. Skills assessments are occupation-specific. If you switch to a different ANZSCO code — even within the same broad field — you will typically need a fresh assessment from the authority responsible for the new occupation.",[64,294,296],{"id":295},"which-authority-assesses-accountants-for-australian-skilled-visas","Which authority assesses accountants for Australian skilled visas?",[11,298,299],{},"Accounting occupations are assessed by one of three bodies: CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), or the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA). Your existing professional membership or the type of accounting qualification you hold will usually determine which one you use. All three are approved assessing authorities for the relevant ANZSCO codes.",[15,301,303],{"id":302},"where-to-go-next","Where to go next",[11,305,306,307,310],{},"See how your occupation is tracking in current invitation rounds — including points cutoffs and demand trends — on the ",[26,308,244],{"href":241,"rel":309},[243],".",{"title":312,"searchDepth":313,"depth":313,"links":314},"",2,[315,316,324,327,334],{"id":17,"depth":313,"text":18},{"id":33,"depth":313,"text":34,"children":317},[318,320,321,322,323],{"id":66,"depth":319,"text":67},3,{"id":173,"depth":319,"text":174},{"id":180,"depth":319,"text":181},{"id":187,"depth":319,"text":164},{"id":193,"depth":319,"text":194},{"id":200,"depth":313,"text":201,"children":325},[326],{"id":248,"depth":319,"text":249},{"id":263,"depth":313,"text":264,"children":328},[329,330,331,332,333],{"id":267,"depth":319,"text":268},{"id":274,"depth":319,"text":275},{"id":281,"depth":319,"text":282},{"id":288,"depth":319,"text":289},{"id":295,"depth":319,"text":296},{"id":302,"depth":313,"text":303},"\u002Fblog\u002Fcovers\u002Fskills-assessment-explained.svg",null,"md",[339,340,341,342,343],{"question":268,"answer":271},{"question":275,"answer":278},{"question":282,"answer":285},{"question":289,"answer":292},{"question":296,"answer":299},{},true,"\u002Fblog\u002F2026-06-26-skills-assessment-explained","2026-06-26",{"title":5,"description":13},"blog\u002F2026-06-26-skills-assessment-explained","A skills assessment proves your qualifications and experience match your nominated occupation. Here's how the process works and which authority assesses your field.",[352,353,354,355,356],"skills-assessment","skilled-migration","189","190","491","UVZoEDvLcz_XvHpoog1ZoOnFQuPzlIgJ2YlVYazTcOo",1786354963717]