RPL by assessing authority
Which authority assesses your occupation — and the RPL guide for it
For skilled migration, every occupation is assigned a skills assessing authority that evaluates whether your qualifications and experience meet the standard for that occupation. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a separate step: a VET RPL produces a nationally recognised qualification issued by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), which can in turn support a skills-assessment pathway for some occupations.
This page maps each authority to the occupations it assesses and links the relevant RPL occupation guides, so you can start from either direction — your occupation, or your authority. A VET RPL qualification and a migration skills assessment are not the same thing; each guide explains how they fit together for that field.
MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)
Assesses trade occupations for migration (offshore skills assessment and the Job Ready Program).
Australian Computer Society (ACS)
Assesses ICT occupations for migration.
VETASSESS
Assesses a broad range of professional and general (VET) occupations for migration.
Engineers Australia
Assesses engineering occupations for migration, primarily via the Competency Demonstration Report (CDR).
ANMAC
Assesses nursing and midwifery occupations for migration (registration is separate, via AHPRA/NMBA).
Australian Medical Council (AMC)
Assesses medical practitioners. Most clinical roles are AHPRA-registered and not available via RPL — but related support roles can be.
Not sure which authority — or whether RPL helps?
Start with a free RPL eligibility check, or book a consultation to confirm the correct assessing authority and whether RPL fits your visa goal.
Frequently asked questions
What is a skills assessing authority?
For skilled migration, each occupation is assigned an assessing authority that evaluates whether your qualifications and experience meet the standard for that occupation — for example Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) for many trades, ACS for ICT, VETASSESS for a broad range of occupations, Engineers Australia for engineers, ANMAC for nursing, and AITSL for teachers.
Is an RPL qualification the same as a skills assessment?
No. A VET RPL produces a nationally recognised qualification issued by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). A skills assessment is a separate migration assessment of your skills and qualifications, conducted by the relevant assessing authority. They are different processes with different criteria — though an RPL qualification can sometimes support a skills assessment pathway.
How do I know which authority assesses my occupation?
The assessing authority is set against each occupation on the relevant skilled occupation lists. The same occupation always maps to the same authority. WIDEN can confirm the correct authority and whether RPL is part of a viable pathway for your specific occupation and visa goal during a consultation.
Does WIDEN conduct RPL assessments or skills assessments?
No. WIDEN is a migration practice, not an RTO or an assessing authority. RPL assessments are conducted by RTOs and skills assessments by the relevant authority. WIDEN provides the migration advice and coordinates referrals where RPL is appropriate.
Related
- RPL services — migration pathway guidance
- Skills assessment authorities — overview
- Skills assessment by occupation & ANZSCO code
- How RPL works — the general guide
- Points calculator
General information only, not migration advice. Assessing authority requirements are set by each authority and RPL qualifications are issued by Registered Training Organisations — confirm requirements for your situation. Advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) after a paid consultation under a written service agreement.