An Australia skills assessment checks skills against the standards of the relevant assessing authority. It is separate from the visa decision. Before ordering transcripts or requesting letters, identify the occupation that matches the work you perform. A preparation file built around an unsuitable occupation can create avoidable cost and confusion.
Research checked: 12 October 2026. Check current official requirements before applying.
Home Affairs identifies occupation lists and the corresponding assessing authorities. Each authority has its own procedures, charges and timeframes. Home Affairs accepts assessments from the relevant authority, and points-tested 189, 190 and 491 routes require a suitable assessment. Read the subclass-specific timing and validity rules with the authority’s instructions.
Write a factual summary of your work: tasks, tools, projects and level of responsibility. Compare the proposed occupation against those duties. Titles such as engineer, executive or consultant can describe very different jobs at different employers. If you are deciding between occupations, document the differences and seek appropriate advice; do not rewrite evidence to imply work you did not perform.
This is a preparation list, not a universal set of required documents. Follow the selected authority’s current instructions for the final submission.
Keep employment dates and education dates separate. Flag overlapping jobs, unpaid periods, promotions and changes between employment and self-employment. Check the authority’s rules for those situations rather than assuming every month will be recognised identically. If your degree was completed during a job, describe both timelines truthfully and let the authority assess the evidence.
Create an index linking every claim to a file. Open the scans on another screen and check that signatures, stamps and dates are readable. Make sure the file you intend to upload is the signed version, not an earlier draft. Keep request emails and dispatch records if an institution must send evidence directly. Avoid treating another applicant’s document bundle as your authority’s checklist.
When the result arrives, confirm its occupation, outcome, relevant dates and limitations before claiming immigration points. The result does not guarantee a nomination or visa. Save the final letter, application reference and receipts; record any validity information. Resolve discrepancies with the authority or an appropriate adviser before lodging the visa application.
Use the relevant assessing authority identified by official Home Affairs guidance.
No. Assessment, selection and visa decision are separate stages.
Featured photograph: Henrique Felix on Unsplash. Destination photograph for illustration.