Visa file / Skilled and work visas
Skills assessment
How skills assessments work for skilled, employer and graduate visas.
In force
Who it is for
People applying for points-tested visas (189, 190, 491), the 494, the 186 Direct Entry stream, some 482 applicants and the vocational 485 stream.
Published eligibility
- Home Affairs only accepts an assessment from the authority listed against your occupation.
- Main authorities include the Australian Computer Society (ICT), Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, Trades Recognition Australia and ANMAC (nurses and midwives). Medical practitioners use registration with AHPRA.
- Points-tested visas: the assessment must be held when you are invited.
- Validity: 3 years from issue, or the shorter period shown on it.
- A provisional assessment issued for a 485 is not suitable for a points-tested visa, a 186 or a 494.
- Each authority sets its own procedures, timeframes and fees.
Where you apply from
Applied for with the assessing authority, from anywhere. It is not a visa.
From first enquiry to grant and after.
The usual steps, and where a registered migration agent can help at each one. Immi Worldwide gives general information and settlement support, never advice about your visa.
- 01
Find your occupation and authority
Match your duties to the right occupation code and its authority.
Where a registered migration agent can helpChecks that the code genuinely matches your duties, because a wrong code causes failure later.
- 02
Service agreement
Before any personal advice or preparation, you receive a written service agreement and the OMARA Consumer Guide.
Where a registered migration agent can helpSets out the work, the fee and the refund policy in writing. No money is taken for visa work before the agreement is signed.
- 03
Map your evidence
Qualifications, transcripts and employment evidence against the authority's criteria.
Where a registered migration agent can helpMaps evidence to the criteria.
- 04
Apply to the authority
Apply online with the authority and pay its fee.
Where a registered migration agent can helpChecks the outcome type suits your intended visa.
- 05
Outcome and timing
Use the assessment while it is valid.
Where a registered migration agent can helpTimes the assessment so it is valid at invitation or lodgement.
Charges and processing times.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Assessment fee | Set by each authority |
Skills assessment fees are set by each assessing authority, not by Home Affairs. Check the authority's website for its current fee. Source: Home Affairs Current visa pricing table, charges from 1 July 2026. Check the Visa Pricing Estimator before you rely on a figure.
Processing times: not published by Home Affairs for this visa. Global visa processing times.
Common refusal reasons
- Duties do not match the occupation.
- Qualification not comparable to the Australian level.
- Employment not evidenced in the required way.
- Assessment expired before invitation.
Drawn from the published criteria and general practice experience. They are not Departmental statistics.
Document checklist
Evidence
A general list. The Department's own document checklist for your application is the one that counts. Ticks stay on this page only.
What changed, and what people ask.
No recent changes are listed for this visa. Check the Home Affairs page for the latest information.
Sources
- Home Affairs: skills assessment
- Home Affairs: skilled occupation list
- Australian Computer Society
- Engineers Australia
- VETASSESS
- Trades Recognition Australia
- ANMAC
Information checked 22 October 2026. General information only, not advice about your circumstances.
How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.
Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.
The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.