Skill Assessment

When you apply for a skilled visa, you must nominate a skilled occupation from a list of eligible occupations specifically applicable to the visa class which you are applying for. In some cases, you will be required to have your skills assessed as a requirement to apply.

A Skills Assessment is an independent review of your skills, qualifications and employment experience confirming whether you are suitable for your nominated occupation and which must be carried out by a specified assessing authority.

Each assessing authority will specify its own requirements as to what it deems as being suitably qualified to carry out the occupation at the required skill level. This assessment is primary based on your qualifications and employment experience. Some skills authorities will also require you to complete written narratives on certain topics related to your occupation or to complete a test. English language requirements may also differ to Immigration requirements, in which case you will need to attain the specified minimum results that apply to the skills assessment if these are at a higher level than what is required for the visa.

The skills assessment will also expire after a certain period, being either 3 years from the date of issue, or on a date earlier if specified in the skills assessment.

If you are applying for a Skilled (Independent), a Skilled (Nominated) visa or a Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (i.e. a subclass 189, 190 or 489 visa), a positive skills assessment will need to have been issued on or before the date when you receive an invitation to apply for the visa.

Note also that for some occupations, registration or licensing to practice in Australia may be specified as being a suitable skills assessment for visa application purposes. For example, a legal practicing certificate for a solicitor/barrister, or a medical registration as a doctor.