Graphic Designer Skills Assessment

MARN 1576536 · Verifiable at mara.gov.au

Graphic Designers (ANZSCO 232411) plan, design and prepare information for publication and reproduction using text, images, colour and layout to meet commercial and communication needs. VETASSESS is the assessing authority and treats this as a Group B occupation requiring degree-level qualifications. A design portfolio is a mandatory part of the assessment.

The skills assessment & RPL pathway for Graphic Designer

VETASSESS assesses your qualifications, employment and a design portfolio for Graphic Designer. As a Group B occupation, it requires a qualification assessed as comparable to an AQF Bachelor degree or higher in a highly relevant field. You also need at least one year of highly relevant post-qualification employment at an appropriate skill level in the last five years; if employment is not post-qualification, additional years of relevant employment are required. You must submit a portfolio of design samples (with size limits per sample) so VETASSESS can verify the nature of your work.

Be realistic about RPL for this occupation. An RTO can issue a vocational graphic or web design qualification through Recognition of Prior Learning, but because Graphic Designer requires degree-level study, an RPL diploma is generally not enough to meet the VETASSESS qualification standard. The VETASSESS skills assessment is a separate migration process distinct from any RTO award. If you do not hold a relevant bachelor degree, seek advice before lodging, as the qualification limb is unlikely to be satisfied by RPL alone.

Evidence typically required

• Bachelor degree or higher award and full academic transcripts in a highly relevant field such as graphic design or visual communication
• A portfolio of design work demonstrating your skills, submitted within VETASSESS size limits per sample
• Detailed employment references describing design duties such as layout, branding, typography and preparing artwork for reproduction
• Payslips, tax records or superannuation statements covering claimed employment periods
• Contracts or appointment letters confirming your role and dates of employment
• Evidence that your work was professional design rather than purely production or administrative tasks

Looking at the whole journey rather than just the assessment? See the full pathway guide: Migrate to Australia as a Graphic Designer →

Which skilled visa uses this occupation?

Once Graphic Designer is positively assessed, the assessment supports a points-tested or employer-sponsored skilled visa. The right one depends on your points, age, state nomination and whether an employer will sponsor you.

• Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent (points-tested, no sponsor)
• Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated (state nomination)
• Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (regional nomination)
• Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand (employer sponsorship)
• 482 → 186 permanent residency pathway
• Check your points for 189/190/491

Speak with WIDEN

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General information only, not migration advice. ANZSCO codes and assessing-authority arrangements change (ANZSCO is transitioning to OSCA) and skilled occupation lists are updated periodically — confirm the current code, authority and requirements for your situation. Skills assessments are conducted by the relevant assessing authority and RPL qualifications are issued by Registered Training Organisations, not by WIDEN. No qualification or assessment guarantees a visa. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid consultation under a written service agreement.