Skills Assessment for PR
If you are looking to migrate to Australia, skills assessments are an important part of the migration journey, especially for general skilled migration visas and employer sponsored visas. If you are looking for information on skills assessment, then this blog is for you. This blog will answer most of your questions regarding skills assessments like:
- What is a skills assessment?
- How to check your skills assessing body for your skills assessment?
- What are the visas that you need a skills assessment for?
- Who conducts the skills assessment?
- What are the documents that you need for a skills assessment?
- FAQs
What is a Skills Assessment?
A skills assessment is a formal evaluation conducted by a relevant skills assessing body to assess your qualifications and experience. If you have a positive outcome, it will mean that your qualifications and experience meets the Australian standards and if you have a negative outcome it would mean that you will have to rectify certain shortcomings to meet the Australian standards.
How to check your skills assessing body for your skills assessment?
In Australia there are different skills assessing bodies for assessing different skills. It’s important that you do your skills assessment through the correct skills assessing body. Because doing your skills assessment through the wrong skills assessing body will waste your valuable time and money. You can check for the relevant skills assessing body by accessing the skilled occupation list in the Department of Home Affairs webpage. It has the list of the eligible occupations and also the relevant skills assessing body for your occupation. You can watch the video here to find your skills assessing body.
What are the visas that you need a skills assessment for?
A skills assessment is usually necessary for PR visas and visas that would lead you to PR. The types of visa categories that usually require you to have a skills assessment are:
1.General Skilled Migration visas
-
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) — Points tested stream
-
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
-
Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 491)
-
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
A skills assessment is mandatory for this visa if you are applying through the Direct Entry Stream. But if you are applying through the Temporary Residence Transition stream or the Labour Agreement stream then a skills assessment is not mandatory. However the case officer who is making the decision on your visa can request you to provide a skills assessment on his discretion.
-
Skilled Employer sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (SC 494)
This visa requires you to have a mandatory skills assessment conducted through the relevant skills assessing body. You will be exempted from having to do a skills assessment in the following circumstances:
-
If you hold a SC 457 or a SC 482 visa and in order to be granted that visa, you were required to do a skills assessment.
-
If you are nominated as an academic (University Lecturer or Faculty Head at academic Level A, B, C, D or E) by an Australian university.
-
You have held a Special Category visa (subclass 444) or New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461) visa for the last 3 years immediately before you apply and have worked for the employer who nominated you, in the nominated occupation, for at least 2 years during that time.
-
Skills in Demand visa
-
A skills assessment for SC 482 visa is not mandatory. However some applicants will have to undergo a skills assessment as a part of the visa application process. The government has listed 25 occupations that require a skills assessment depending on from where your passports are from.
Occupation
ANZSCO
Assessing body
class of persons who require a skills assessment
automotive electrician
321111
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
baker
351111
TRA
who hold a passport issued by China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
cabinetmaker
394111
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Brazil, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
carpenter
331212
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Brazil, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
carpenter and joiner
331211
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Brazil, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
chef
351311
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
cook
351411
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
diesel motor mechanic
321212
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation
electrician (general)
341111
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa or Vietnam; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
electrician (special class)
341112
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa or Vietnam; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
fitter (general)
323211
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation
fitter and turner
323212
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
fitter‑welder
323213
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
joiner
331213
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Brazil, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
metal fabricator
322311
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
metal fitters and machinists (nec)
323299
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
metal machinist (first class)
323214
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
motor mechanic (general)
321211
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
panelbeater
324111
TRA
who hold a passport issued by China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
pastrycook
351112
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
program or project administrator
511112
VETASSESS
All persons other than exempt applicants for the occupation.
sheetmetal trades worker
322211
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
specialist managers (nec) except:
(a) ambassador; or
(b) archbishop; or
(c) bishop
139999
VETASSESS
All persons other than exempt applicants for the occupation.
toolmaker
323412
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
welder (first class)
322313
TRA
who hold a passport issued by Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Macau, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam or Zimbabwe; and who are not exempt applicants for the occupation.
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Temporary Graduate visa (SC 485)
If you are an international student who completed your studies with an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification and are intending to apply to the post study work visa then the eligible visa stream for you will be the Post- Vocational Education Work Stream of the SC 485 visa. This stream requires you to have an occupation in the MLTSSL which closely relates to your studies and its mandatory to be assessed by the relevant skills assessing body. The other streams of the SC 485 visa doesn’t require applicants to have a skills assessment.
Who conducts the skills assessments?
The relevant skills assessing authority/body will be conducting the skills assessment. The skills assessing authorities are the organisations that assess whether the skills that you possess meet the Australian standards to work in the relevant occupation. There are 43 skills assessing authorities that assess diverse occupations in Australia they are:
Name
Full name
Occupations
Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality
Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher-241111
Child Care Centre Manager- 134111
Child Care Worker (Group Leaders only)-421111
Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine
Medical Physicist- 23914
(not in the SOL)
Australian Computer Society Incorporated
ICT managers - 1351
ICT Trainers- 2232
ICT Business and System Analyst- 2611
Multimedia Specialist and Web Developer - 2612
Software and application programmers- 2613
Database and Systems Administrators- 2621
ICT security- 2621
Computer Network Professionals- 2631
ICT support and Test Engineers- 2632
ICT Support Technicians- 3131
Australian Community Workers Association Inc.
Aged or Disabled Carer-423111
Welfare Centre Manager- 134214
Welfare Worker -272613
Community Worker- 411711
Disabilities Services Officer -411712
Family Support Worker- 411713
Residential Care Officer-O 411715
Youth Worker- 411716
Australian Dental Council Limited
Dentist- 252312
Dental specialist- 252311
Dental therapist- 411214
Dental hygienist- 411211
Dental prosthetist- 411212
Australian Institute of Medical Scientists
Medical Laboratory Scientist- 234611 Medical Laboratory Technician- 311213.
Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership Limited
Primary School Teacher- 241213
Middle School Teacher-241311
Secondary School Teacher- 241411
Special Needs Teacher- 241511
Teacher of the Hearing Impaired- 241512
Teacher of the Sight Impaired-241513
Special Education Teachers (nec) - 241599
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Ship’s Master- 231213
Ship’s Engineer- 231212
Ship’s Officer and Marine Surveyor- 231215
Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council Limited
Enrolled Nurse- 411411
Nurse Educator- 254211
Nurse Manager- 254311
Nurse Practitioner- 254411
Nurse Researcher- 254212
Registered Nurse( Aged Care)- 254412
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)- 254413
Registered Nurse (Community Health)- 254414
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)- 254415
Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) - 254416
Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)- 254417
Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)- 254421
Registered Nurse (Medical)- 254418
Registered Nurse (Mental Health)- 254422
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)- 254425
Registered Nurse (Perioperative)- 254423
Registered Nurse (Surgical)- 254424
Registered Nurses nec- 254499
Australian Society of Medical Imagery and Radiation Therapy
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer- 251211
Radiation Therapist- 251212
Sonographer- 251214
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
Accountant (General) – 221111
Management Accountant – 221112
Taxation Accountant – 221113
Corporate Treasurer - 221212
External Auditor – 221213
Finance Manager – 132211
Chinese Medicine Board of Australia
Acupuncturist- 252211
Chinese medicine practitioner- 252214
CPA Australia Ltd
Accountant (general) – 221111
Corporate treasurer – 221212
External auditor – 221213
Finance manager – 132211
Management accountant – 221112
Taxation accountant – 22111
The Institution of Engineers Australia
Professional engineer
Engineering technologist
Engineering associate
Engineering manager.
Institute of Managers and Leaders National
Chief Executive or Managing Director [111111]
Corporate General Manager [111211]
Sales and Marketing Manager [131112]
Advertising Manager [131113]
Public Relations Manager [131114]
Human Resource Manager [132311]
Engineering Manager [133211]
Supply and Distribution Manager [133611]
Procurement Manager [133612]
Institute of Public Accountants Ltd
Accountant (General)- 221111
External Auditor-221213
Management Accountant- 221112
Taxation Accountant- 221113
Finance Manager- 132211
Corporate Treasurer- 221212
Legal admissions authority of a state or territory
Legal admissions authority of a state or territory
Barrister- 271111
Solicitor- 271311
Medical Board of Australia
General practitioners- 253111
Cardiologist-253312
Dermatologist-253911
Emergency Medicine Specialist- 253912
National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd
Translator- 272413
Interpreter- 272412
Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services
Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services
What are the documents that you need for a skills assessment?
You will typically need to submit the following documents:
- Identity documents: This can be your passport, Birth certificate, driving license, name change documents etc
- Educational qualifications: You can submit certified copies of your degree or diploma. You may also have to submit certified copies of your transcript and course completion letter.
- Work experience documents: You can include refence letters from your past and present employers detailing the job title you held, employment dates and your duties. You may also have to include your pay slips, employment contract and organisational charts if necessary
- Skills and licenses: This can be your professional certifications, evidence of membership with professional bodies, proof of licensing and registrations for regulated occupations
- English language proficiency: Some skills assessing bodies require you to have proof of your English language proficiency and you may submit your IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or any other valid test result. At times you can also request for an exemption if you have studied for a certain amount of time in Australia.
Some assessing authorities have specific requirements:
Engineers Australia requires a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR)
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) may involve practical assessments or a Job-Ready Program(JRP).
Australian Computer Society (ACS) may require RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) documentation for non-IT degree holders.
FAQs
A skills assessment is typically valid for 3 years unless otherwise specified by the relevant skills assessing body.
Not necessarily, it would depend on the relevant skills assessing body
Usually yes, most of the skills assessing authorities have an appeal or review process.
Costs vary depending on the assessing authority and your nominated occupation
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