VETASSESS Skills Assessment

VETASSESS is the assessing authority for most professional, general, and many trade-related occupations not covered by a specialist body. It assesses both qualification comparability and post-qualification employment relevance.

MARN 1576536

WIDEN does not assist with the VETASSESS skills assessment in any way. VETASSESS handles the application, evidence review, and decision. WIDEN's role is the migration side — visa subclass, points test, EOI strategy, occupation list, and the Points Test Advice interpretation for the migration application — separate from the VETASSESS assessment itself.

Pathways

Professional / General Occupation skills assessment — qualification + employment review against the ANZSCO requirements for your nominated occupation.
Points Test Advice (PTA) — optional follow-on advice on how many years of pre- and post-qualification employment can be claimed for points purposes.
Trades pathway — for several trade occupations, including a Technical Interview and Practical Assessment (or equivalent).
Job Ready Program (JRP) — four-step program for graduates of Australian trade training, used for the Subclass 485 pathway.

What VETASSESS looks for

VETASSESS groups occupations into categories (commonly referred to as Groups A through E) with different qualification and employment requirements. Group A occupations generally require an AQF Bachelor or higher in a highly relevant field plus at least one year of highly relevant post-qualification employment in the five years before lodgement. Other groups have different combinations. Confirm the requirements for your specific occupation on VETASSESS's website before assuming a pathway.

Evidence checklist

Identity documents (passport bio page)
Qualifications — degree certificate(s), academic transcript(s), and (where relevant) study load evidence
Employment evidence — references on letterhead with dates, hours, location, salary, and detailed duties (mapped to ANZSCO)
Where references are not obtainable: alternative employment evidence (statutory declarations, payslips, tax records, contracts)
For Trades pathway: practical work experience evidence, photos, work samples

Frequently asked questions

What occupations does VETASSESS assess?

VETASSESS is the assessing authority for most professional, general, and many trade-related occupations not covered by a specialist authority. This includes business roles (marketing specialist, HR adviser, management consultant), finance (financial investment adviser), social and behavioural science professionals, scientists, designers, and many others. The Department's list of assessing authorities maps each ANZSCO code to the right authority — verify yours is VETASSESS before lodging.

What is the VETASSESS skill assessment criteria?

VETASSESS assesses two things: qualification (whether your highest qualification is comparable to an Australian qualification at the level required by your nominated occupation, and whether it is in a 'highly relevant' field) and employment (whether your post-qualification employment is at the right skill level and in a highly relevant occupation). Both must be positive for an overall positive outcome on a points-test pathway. The required AQF level and field of qualification vary by occupational group (A through E, plus E for trades).

What is the Points Test Advice service?

After a positive standard skills assessment, VETASSESS offers an optional 'Points Test Advice' service that provides a written advice on how many years of pre- and post-qualification employment can be claimed for points purposes. Some applicants find this helpful — it provides an authoritative third-party view on claimable years that the Department considers when assessing the EOI.

What about VETASSESS Trades?

VETASSESS also runs a Trades skills assessment for several trade occupations. This is a different process from the general professional assessment — it involves a Technical Interview and Practical Assessment (or alternative pathways depending on occupation). The Job Ready Program (JRP) for graduates of Australian trade training is a separate four-step pathway for the Subclass 485 graduate visa cohort. Confirm which trades pathway applies before lodging.

How much does VETASSESS cost?

VETASSESS publishes current fees on its website. Standard professional skills assessment is typically in the high-hundreds AUD; Points Test Advice is a separate fee; trades pathways carry their own fee schedules. Priority processing is available for an additional fee. Verify current fees before paying.

How long does it take?

VETASSESS publishes current processing times. Standard professional assessments often take several weeks; trade assessments and JRP timeframes are typically longer due to the technical interview and practical components. Priority processing may shorten the queue.

Common reasons for a negative VETASSESS outcome

Common reasons include: the qualification not being at the required AQF level for the occupation, the qualification not being in a highly relevant field, employment not being in a highly relevant occupation, employment being below the skill level required by ANZSCO, insufficient detail in employment references about actual duties performed, or claimed employment overlapping with full-time study. Carefully matching evidence to VETASSESS's published criteria before lodging is critical.

Speak with WIDEN

Discuss your migration pathway with WIDEN

Fields marked * are required. WIDEN does not assist with the VETASSESS skills assessment in any way — the application, evidence preparation, and outcome are entirely VETASSESS's domain. WIDEN provides migration advice (visa subclass strategy, points test, EOI, occupation list) — separate from the skills assessment process.

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Your nominated occupation

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General information only. Fees, processing times, and eligibility criteria for VETASSESS change. Verify current details at www.vetassess.com.au before relying on this page.

This page does not constitute migration advice (s 23, Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2022). WIDEN does not issue skills assessments — VETASSESS does. Migration advice is provided by Keshab Chapagain (MARN 1576536) only after a paid initial consultation under section 43 of the Code, with a written service agreement issued before further work commences (section 42). The OMARA Consumer Guide is provided to all clients before the consultation begins. Outcomes cannot be guaranteed by any registered migration agent (s 15). PI insurance held under the Migration Agents Regulations 1998. Complaints via our Complaints Policy or directly to OMARA.