What Is a Skills Assessment — And Do You Need One for an Australian Visa?

If you’re applying for a skilled visa to live and work in Australia, you’ve probably heard the term “skills assessment” — but what does it actually mean? And more importantly, do you need one?

At Morgan Clifford Legal Services in Brisbane, we assist individuals and families with skilled migration matters. One of the most important steps in many visa applications is the skills assessment.

What Is a Skills Assessment?

A skills assessment is an official evaluation of your qualifications, work experience, and/or trade skills to determine if they meet Australian standards for a particular occupation.

Think of it as a way for the Australian Government to ensure that the people migrating for work are genuinely qualified to do the jobs they are applying under. It’s a mandatory requirement for most skilled visa subclasses, including:

• Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa
• Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa
• Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
• Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (in some cases)
• Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme Visa

The skills assessment is carried out by a designated assessing authority that specialises in your nominated occupation. For example:

• Engineers Australia – for engineering occupations
• Trades Recognition Australia – for trade roles
• VETASSESS – for many general professional roles
• AHPRA – for registered health practitioners
• ACS – for ICT professionals

Each assessing authority has its own specific criteria, including what qualifications are accepted, how work experience is calculated, and whether English testing is required.

Do You Need a Skills Assessment?

In most cases, yes — if you’re applying for a skilled migration visa, a positive skills assessment is mandatory. Without it, your application cannot proceed.

Here’s how to determine if you need one:

 You DO need a skills assessment if:

• You are applying for a visa based on a skilled occupation on one of Australia’s skilled occupation lists (e.g., MLTSSL or STSOL).
• Your visa requires you to nominate an occupation.
• You are claiming points for qualifications or work experience in your field.
• The Department of Home Affairs specifically lists it as a requirement for your visa subclass.

 You may NOT need a skills assessment if:

• You are being sponsored by an employer and your occupation is exempt under the subclass 482 visa rules.
• You are applying for certain graduate or training visas.
• You are applying for a partner, family, or humanitarian visa.

At Morgan Clifford, we review your unique circumstances and visa goals to confirm if a skills assessment is required — and which authority you’ll need to apply through.

What’s Involved in the Skills Assessment Process?

While the process differs depending on your occupation and the relevant authority, here are the general steps involved:

1) Choose Your Nominated Occupation
This must be on a relevant skilled occupation list and match your qualifications and experience.

2) Prepare Your Documents
You’ll need to provide evidence of:

• Qualifications (degrees, diplomas, certificates)
• Employment history (reference letters, payslips, contracts)
• English language proficiency (in some cases)
• Identity documents

3) Lodge Your Application
Submit your skills assessment application online to the correct authority, pay the fee, and upload your documents.

4) Await Assessment Outcome
Processing times vary by authority — typically between 6 to 12 weeks. You will receive either a positive or negative result.

Why It’s Important to Get It Right

A positive skills assessment is valid for between 2–3 years, depending on the assessing body. If you get it wrong or apply under the wrong occupation, it can lead to:

• A visa refusal
  
• Loss of application fees
• Delays of months or even years
• Ineligibility to apply for permanent residency

Our experienced migration lawyers at Morgan Clifford ensure that:

• You apply under the right occupation
• Your documentation is accurate and complete
• You understand the criteria for your assessing authority
• You’re not claiming work experience that doesn’t meet Australian standards

We’ve seen many clients come to us after having attempted the process alone or with unqualified advisors, only to face rejection.

A proper legal assessment early on can save you time, money, and heartache.

Can We Help You with a Skills Assessment?

Absolutely. At Morgan Clifford Legal Services, we offer:

• Initial migration consultations to confirm your eligibility
• Help choosing the most appropriate occupation
• Full guidance through the skills assessment process
• Assistance preparing and submitting documents to the assessing authority
• Follow-up and appeals support (if needed)

Whether you’re just starting your skilled migration journey or you’ve already received an invitation to apply, we’re here to help you succeed.

What Is a Skills Assessment

A skills assessment is a crucial part of many Australian skilled visa applications. It proves that your qualifications and experience meet the Australian standards for your nominated occupation.

While it can seem complex, having professional legal help makes the process faster, clearer, and far more likely to succeed.

If you’re unsure whether you need one — or how to apply — contact our Brisbane-based team at Morgan Clifford Legal Services for tailored advice and reliable support.

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