Skills assessments by occupation: Which body assesses your profession

Before you can apply for any skilled migration visa (Subclass 482, 186, 189, 190, 491), you must obtain a positive skills assessment from your occupation’s official assessing body. Each occupation has a designated authority responsible for verifying that your qualifications and experience meet the Australian standard. Understanding which body assesses your profession, what they require, and how long assessment takes is critical to your migration timeline.

What is a skills assessment?

A skills assessment is a formal evaluation by an Australian professional body confirming that your qualifications, experience, and competency meet the standard required for your occupation in Australia. The assessment determines:

• Whether your foreign qualification is equivalent to an Australian qualification.
• Whether your work experience is relevant and sufficient.
• Whether you meet the professional standards for your occupation in Australia.

Without a positive skills assessment, you cannot apply for any skilled migration visa. It is the first gate-keeper step.

The major assessing bodies

VETASSESS

Occupation: Most general professional, managerial, and trade occupations.

VETASSESS covers the broadest range of occupations. If your occupation is not covered by a specialist body (like ACS for IT or EA for engineering), VETASSESS will assess you.

Common VETASSESS-assessed occupations:

• Accountant (along with CPA Australia, CA ANZ, IPA — see below).
• Business or management consultant.
• Human resources professional.
• Marketing manager.
• Sales manager.
• Chef.
• Hospitality manager.
• Electrician.
• Plumber.
• Motor mechanic.
• Construction manager.

ACS (Australian Computer Society)

Occupation: IT and computing occupations.

ACS is the primary body for IT roles. If you studied Computer Science, IT, Software Engineering, or related fields, or if you work in IT occupations, ACS will assess you.

Common ACS-assessed occupations:

• Software engineer.
• Systems analyst.
• IT security specialist.
• Database administrator.
• Network professional.
• IT support officer.
• Business analyst (with IT focus).
• Solutions architect.

Engineers Australia (EA)

Occupation: Engineering occupations.

Engineers Australia assesses all engineering fields. If you studied engineering or work as an engineer, EA will assess you.

Common EA-assessed occupations:

• Civil engineer.
• Mechanical engineer.
• Electrical engineer.
• Chemical engineer.
• Mining engineer.
• Structural engineer.
• Environmental engineer.
• Geotechnical engineer.

ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council)

Occupation: Nursing and midwifery.

ANMAC is the sole body for nursing and midwifery. Nurses must also register with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority) to practice in Australia.

Common ANMAC-assessed occupations:

• Registered nurse.
• Enrolled nurse.
• Midwife.

CPA Australia, CA ANZ, and IPA (Accounting bodies)

Occupation: Accounting occupations.

There are three major accounting bodies in Australia, any of which can assess your skills:

Common details:

Which accounting body to choose?

• If you are working toward or hold a CPA qualification, apply to CPA Australia.
• If you are working toward or hold a CA qualification, apply to CA ANZ.
• If you are a sole practitioner or work in a smaller firm, IPA may be appropriate.

If unsure, CPA Australia is the largest and most commonly used for skilled migration.

AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership)

Occupation: Teaching occupations.

AITSL assesses teachers. Teachers must also register with their state’s teaching authority (e.g., NSW Education Standards Authority, Victorian Institute of Teaching) to teach in schools.

Common AITSL-assessed occupations:

• Primary school teacher.
• Secondary school teacher (any subject).
• Special education teacher.

Medical and Allied Health Professions

Several bodies assess health professions:

These professions have complex assessment pathways, often involving registration with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority) as the first step. Processing times are typically 3–6 months.

Architects

Other occupations

For occupations not covered above, check the Department of Home Affairs occupation list or contact relevant professional bodies.

How to choose the right assessing body

Step 1: Confirm your occupation

Identify the specific occupation you plan to nominate for skilled migration. This is not always obvious — for example:

• A Management graduate might nominate as a “Management Consultant” (VETASSESS) or “Business Analyst” (ACS if IT-focused).
• A Science graduate might nominate as a “Scientist” (generally no specific body — may require VETASSESS) or pursue further study to become a teacher (AITSL).

Step 2: Check the occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

Go to the CSOL and search for your proposed occupation. The list shows:

• Which occupations are available for skilled migration.
• Which assessing body is responsible for each.

Example: Search “Software Engineer” → Result: CSOL includes “Software Engineer (261313)” → Assessing body: ACS (Australian Computer Society).

Step 3: Contact the assessing body

Once you know which body assesses your occupation, visit their website and review:

• Specific requirements for your occupation.
• Documentation required (qualifications, work references, etc.).
• Assessment process and timeline.
• Fees.
• Application process.

Skills assessment requirements and costs

General requirements across all bodies

Most assessing bodies require:

1. Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in your field or a related discipline.
2. Work experience: Typically 2–5 years, depending on occupation. Some bodies (e.g., ACS) may waive experience if your degree is recent and directly relevant.
3. English language proficiency: Usually functional English (IELTS 5.5) at minimum; some bodies require higher (e.g., nursing requires IELTS 7.0+).
4. Professional references: Letters from current / past employers attesting to your skills and experience.
5. Completed application form: Provided by the assessing body.

Costs (2025–26 estimates)

Additional costs:

• English language test (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE): AUD $250–$400.
• Translations of foreign documents: AUD $100–$300.
• Certified copies of documents: AUD $50–$100.

Total cost for skills assessment: AUD $1,000–$3,500 (including English test and document preparation).

Timeline for skills assessment

Typical timeline from application to positive assessment:

1. Prepare documents (1–2 weeks): Gather qualifications, work letters, references, English test results.
2. Submit application (1 week): Lodge application and pay fee.
3. Initial review (1–2 weeks): Assessing body reviews documents for completeness.
4. Assessment (2–8 weeks): Body reviews qualifications, experience, and may request additional information.
5. Decision (1 week): Body issues positive or negative outcome.

Total: 6–12 weeks is typical. Some fast-track pathways exist (especially for occupations in critical shortage), but assume 8–10 weeks as standard.

What if your assessment is negative?

If the assessing body determines your qualifications or experience do not meet the Australian standard, your assessment will be negative. This means:

• You are ineligible for skilled migration via that occupation.
• You cannot apply for 482, 186, 189, 190, or 491 unless you obtain a positive assessment.

Options if your assessment is negative:

1. Appeal or reapply: Some bodies allow appeals or reassessment if you obtain additional qualifications or experience.
2. Further study: Complete an Australian Master’s degree or professional qualification in your field to strengthen your assessment.
3. Change occupation: If eligible, nominate a different occupation with a positive assessment.
4. Temporary visa: Explore non-skilled pathways (e.g., working holiday, temporary visa) to stay in Australia while building credentials.

When to obtain your skills assessment

Optimal timing:

1. Before 485 application: Not required, but helpful to know early whether you will be eligible for skilled migration.
2. During 485 period (first 1–2 years): Obtain your skills assessment while on your 485 visa. This gives you clarity on your migration options and takes 6–12 weeks.
3. Before 482 sponsorship: Required. Obtain the assessment before your employer begins the 482 sponsorship process. Many employers ask for this upfront.
4. Before SkillSelect EOI (for 189/190/491): Required. You cannot lodge a SkillSelect EOI without evidence of a positive skills assessment.

Plan ahead: If you are applying for 482 sponsorship in 6 months, start your skills assessment process now.

Key points to remember

• Skills assessment is mandatory: No skilled migration visa without a positive assessment.
• Each occupation has a designated body: Check the CSOL to confirm which body assesses your occupation.
• VETASSESS is the largest: Covers 500+ occupations; if unsure, VETASSESS will assess you.
• ACS for IT, EA for engineering, ANMAC for nursing: These are primary bodies for their fields.
• Processing takes 6–12 weeks: Plan accordingly; don’t apply at the last minute.
• Cost is AUD $700–$1,500: Plus English test and document preparation (~AUD $1,000–$3,500 total).
• Requirements vary: Check your assessing body’s website for specific requirements for your occupation.
• Experience matters: Many occupations require 2–5 years of work experience.
• Obtain early: Do not wait until you are applying for 482 or SkillSelect; start the process early in your 485 period.

FAQ

Q: Can I apply for a skills assessment before I finish my degree? A: Generally no. Most assessing bodies require a completed degree (graduation confirmation) before assessing. Some may allow provisional assessments, but you need final certification.

Q: What if the assessing body disagrees with my work experience? A: You can appeal or reapply with additional evidence (e.g., updated employment letters, tax records, additional references). Some bodies allow reassessment after 12 months if you obtain more experience.

Q: Can I change assessing bodies if one gives a negative assessment? A: No. Each occupation has a designated body. You cannot “shop around” for a different assessor. However, you can appeal the negative decision or reapply after obtaining more experience or qualifications.

Q: Do I need to maintain my skills assessment during my 485 visa? A: No. A skills assessment is valid indefinitely (unless the occupation or assessment standards change). Once you have a positive assessment, you keep it. You do not need to renew it annually.

Q: How long is a skills assessment valid? A: Indefinitely, unless the assessing body changes assessment standards. However, migration applications typically require assessment dates within 3–5 years of application, so if yours is very old, you may need to reapply.

Sources

• VETASSESS
• ACS (Australian Computer Society)
• Engineers Australia
• ANMAC
• CPA Australia
• Core Skills Occupation List
• Department of Home Affairs — Skills assessment overview

Last reviewed: April 2026. Migration rules and occupation lists change frequently — always verify on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au and the relevant assessing body before acting.