Skills Assessment Requirements by Authority
Detailed requirements for skills assessment applications across all major assessing authorities in Australia. Compare document requirements, qualifications, work experience, and English language criteria.
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Skills Assessment Requirements by Authority
Understanding the specific requirements for your skills assessment is crucial for a successful application. This comprehensive guide breaks down the requirements for all major assessing authorities in Australia, helping you prepare a complete and compelling application.
ACS (Australian Computer Society) Requirements
For ICT Professionals
📚 Academic Requirements:
- ICT Major: Bachelor or higher in ICT - Requires 2 years relevant work experience
- ICT Minor: Bachelor with ICT minor - Requires 4 years relevant work experience
- Non-ICT Qualification: Bachelor in non-ICT field - Requires 6 years relevant work experience
- No Tertiary: Vendor certifications + 6 years experience may be considered
💼 Employment Evidence:
- Detailed employment references on company letterhead
- Must specify job title, dates, duties, and hours per week
- Supervisor name, title, and contact details required
- Payslips or employment contracts as supporting evidence
- Third-party statutory declarations if unable to obtain reference
🌍 English Requirements:
Not mandatory for assessment, but required for visa. Accepted tests:
- IELTS Academic: Minimum 6.0 in each component
- PTE Academic: Minimum 50 in each component
- Or completion of degree in English-speaking country
VETASSESS Requirements
For General Professional Occupations (350+ occupations)
VETASSESS categorizes occupations into skill levels with different requirements:
Skill Level 1 (Professional)
- Bachelor degree or higher qualification
- Minimum 1 year post-qualification relevant employment
- Employment must be at appropriate skill level
Skill Level 2 (Associate Professional)
- Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma
- Minimum 2 years relevant employment (1 year post-qualification)
- Or Bachelor + 2 years relevant experience
Skill Level 3 (Technician/Trade)
- AQF Certificate III or IV, or equivalent
- Minimum 3 years relevant employment
📄 Required Documents:
- Certified academic certificates and transcripts
- Detailed employment references (specific format required)
- Organizational charts showing your position
- Current resume/CV
- Passport bio-data page
- English test results (if claiming points)
Engineers Australia Requirements
For Engineering Professionals
🎓 Qualification Requirements:
- Accredited Qualification: Washington/Sydney/Dublin Accord - 4 years work experience recommended
- Non-Accredited: Must submit Competency Demonstration Report (CDR)
- Engineering degree must be relevant to nominated occupation
📝 CDR Components (for non-accredited):
- Career Episodes: 3 detailed narratives of engineering work (1000-2500 words each)
- Summary Statement: Cross-reference to competency elements
- CPD (Continuing Professional Development): Ongoing learning activities
- CV: Detailed career history
🌐 English Requirements:
Competent English required:
- IELTS Academic: Overall 6.0, no band less than 6.0
- PTE Academic: Overall 50, no component less than 50
- TOEFL iBT: Overall 60, Reading 13, Listening 12, Speaking 18, Writing 21
TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) Requirements
For Trade Occupations
TRA offers different assessment pathways:
1. Job Ready Program (JRP)
For international students with Australian qualifications:
- Completed Australian trade qualification (Certificate III or IV)
- Job Ready Employment (at least 12 months in nominated occupation)
- Job Ready Workplace Assessment by approved assessor
- Four stages: Provisional Skills Assessment, Employment, Workplace Assessment, Final Assessment
2. Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP)
For offshore applicants:
- Trade qualification comparable to Australian Certificate III/IV
- At least 3 years post-qualification work experience
- Employment must be in nominated occupation
- Detailed employment evidence required
3. Migration Skills Assessment (MSA)
For certain visa subclasses:
- Australian trade qualification
- Relevant work experience (varies by visa type)
- Suitable for 485, 186, 187 visa applicants
📋 Common Document Requirements:
- Trade certificates and academic transcripts
- Detailed employment references with specific duties
- Proof of apprenticeship completion (if applicable)
- Payslips and tax records
- Passport and identity documents
- English test results (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)
ANMAC Requirements
For Nursing and Midwifery
🏥 Qualification Requirements:
- Completion of nursing/midwifery program equivalent to Australian standard
- Program must include minimum 400 hours clinical placement
- For midwives: completion of midwifery-specific program
📜 Required Documents:
- Academic transcripts with course descriptions
- Certificate of registration (from country of qualification)
- Evidence of clinical practice hours
- Passport and identity documents
- English test results (higher requirements than other professions)
🗣️ English Requirements (Higher Level):
For AHPRA registration pathway:
- IELTS Academic: Overall 7.0, no band less than 7.0
- PTE Academic: Overall 65, no component less than 65
- OET: Grade B in all four components
- TOEFL iBT: Overall 94, Listening 24, Reading 24, Speaking 23, Writing 27
CPA Australia / CAANZ Requirements
For Accounting Professionals
💰 Qualification Requirements:
- Bachelor degree or higher in accounting or related field
- Completion of 12 core subject areas (equivalent to Australian standard)
- Professional membership with CPA/CAANZ may be required
📊 Core Subject Areas (12 required):
- Accounting Systems & Processes
- Financial Accounting & Reporting
- Management Accounting
- Finance & Financial Management
- Business Law
- Economics
- Quantitative Methods
- Audit & Assurance
- Taxation Law
- Company Law
- Ethics & Professional Standards
- Information Systems Design
💼 Work Experience:
- Minimum 1 year post-qualification relevant experience
- Work must be at graduate level or above
- Detailed employment references required
Employment Reference Requirements - Critical Details
⚠️ Employment references are the most scrutinized documents. They must include:
✅ Essential Information:
- Your full name and date of birth
- Company name, address, phone number
- Your exact job title
- Employment start date and end date (or "ongoing")
- Full-time or part-time (with hours per week)
- Detailed list of duties and responsibilities (not generic)
- Supervisor/referee name, position, and contact details
- Signature and date of reference
📝 Format Requirements:
- Must be on official company letterhead
- Signed by HR manager, supervisor, or director
- Recent date (within last 12 months preferred)
- Addressed "To Whom It May Concern" or to the assessing authority
- Written in English (or certified translation provided)
❌ Common Mistakes:
- Generic job descriptions copied from internet
- Missing employment dates or hours worked
- No supervisor contact information
- References from colleagues instead of managers
- Unsigned or undated references
- Not on company letterhead
Document Certification Requirements
How to Get Documents Certified
Most assessing authorities require certified copies, not originals. A certified copy is a photocopy stamped and signed by an authorized person who confirms it's a true copy of the original.
Who Can Certify Documents:
- In Australia: Justice of Peace (JP), notary public, registered migration agent, lawyer, accountant, police officer, Australia Post employee
- Outside Australia: Notary public, embassy/consulate officials, lawyer, JP equivalent
Certification Must Include:
- Statement: "This is a true copy of the original document"
- Certifier's signature and stamp/seal
- Certifier's name, qualification, and registration number
- Date of certification
- Each page of multi-page documents should be certified
English Language Test Requirements
| Authority | IELTS | PTE Academic | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACS | 6.0 each band | 50 each component | Not mandatory for assessment |
| Engineers Australia | Overall 6.0, min 6.0 each | Overall 50, min 50 each | Mandatory for assessment |
| VETASSESS | 6.0 each band | 50 each component | Optional for points claim |
| TRA | 6.0 each band | 50 each component | Required for JRP and OSAP |
| ANMAC | 7.0 each band | 65 each component | Higher requirement for registration |
| CPA/CAANZ | 7.0 each band | 65 each component | Required for migration assessment |
Get Expert Assessment Assistance
Skills assessment requirements are complex and vary significantly by occupation and authority. Don't risk refusal due to incomplete or incorrect documentation.
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Important Notice: Skills assessment requirements are subject to change by assessing authorities. This guide provides general information current as of 2025. Always verify specific requirements with your assessing authority before applying. Processing times, fees, and requirements may vary.
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Common Occupations Assessed
This assessing authority commonly evaluates the following occupations:
Assessment Costs
Current fees for skill assessment services:
| Assessment Type | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Document Certification | AUD $50-$150 | Per document by JP/Notary |
| NAATI Translation | AUD $80-$150 | Per page |
| English Test (IELTS) | AUD $385-$410 | Academic or General |
| English Test (PTE Academic) | AUD $385-$550 | Computer-based test |
| Police Clearance (AFP) | AUD $42-$99 | If required |
| Statutory Declaration | Free - AUD $50 | JP or lawyer fees |
Fees are current as of the last update and may change. Please verify with the assessing authority.
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