Before you can lodge a skilled migration Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, you must have a positive skills assessment from the relevant Australian assessing authority for your occupation. This is one of the first and most critical steps in your migration journey; choose the wrong body, and your assessment will be rejected.
What is a Skills Assessment?
A skills assessment is an evaluation of your qualifications, work experience, and professional history conducted by an Australian government-recognised body. A positive result confirms that your skills are comparable to those of an Australian trained professional in that occupation, and is mandatory for most skilled visas (189, 190, 491, 482 Direct Entry, 186 Direct Entry).
Major Skills Assessing Bodies by Industry
Industry | Assessing Body | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|
IT / ICT ACS (Australian Computer Society) 8–12 weeks Engineering Engineers Australia / IPENZ 12–24 weeks Nursing / Medicine AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) 4–12 weeks Trades (electrical, plumbing, etc.) TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) 16–28 weeks Accounting CPA / ICAA / IPA 8–16 weeks Architecture AACA 12–20 weeks General (non-listed above) VETASSESS 12–20 weeks Teaching AITSL 10–16 weeks Medical Lab Science AIMS 8–16 weeks | IT / ICT ACS (Australian Computer Society) 8–12 weeks Engineering Engineers Australia / IPENZ 12–24 weeks Nursing / Medicine AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) 4–12 weeks Trades (electrical, plumbing, etc.) TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) 16–28 weeks Accounting CPA / ICAA / IPA 8–16 weeks Architecture AACA 12–20 weeks General (non-listed above) VETASSESS 12–20 weeks Teaching AITSL 10–16 weeks Medical Lab Science AIMS 8–16 weeks | IT / ICT ACS (Australian Computer Society) 8–12 weeks Engineering Engineers Australia / IPENZ 12–24 weeks Nursing / Medicine AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) 4–12 weeks Trades (electrical, plumbing, etc.) TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) 16–28 weeks Accounting CPA / ICAA / IPA 8–16 weeks Architecture AACA 12–20 weeks General (non-listed above) VETASSESS 12–20 weeks Teaching AITSL 10–16 weeks Medical Lab Science AIMS 8–16 weeks |
Common Reasons Skills Assessments Are Refused
• Work experience does not closely match the nominated ANZSCO occupation
• Qualifications are not recognised as equivalent to an Australian degree
• Insufficient years of post-qualification experience
• Gaps in employment not adequately explained
• References or employer letters do not meet the assessing body's standards
Gemini's Skills Assessment Support
Gemini reviews your qualifications and work history before you apply to the assessing body, identifying gaps and strengthening your documentation to maximise the probability of a positive outcome. A refused skills assessment adds 3–6 months to your migration timeline and often costs as much as the initial assessment.
Next step
Start your Australia journey with GEMINI Education