What is VETASSESS?
VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services) is a private skills assessment authority accredited by the Department of Home Affairs to assess occupational qualifications for skilled migration purposes. As Australia's largest assessing authority by occupational scope, VETASSESS evaluates qualifications and experience across professional, trade, and paraprofessional sectors—covering roles not assessed by specialist bodies like Engineers Australia or Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
VETASSESS operates under the National Occupations List (NOL) framework and assesses against Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) standards. The organisation conducts face-to-face and remote assessments, evaluates overseas qualifications against Australian equivalents, and recognises informal work experience through its Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway.
The authority's breadth—from ICT professionals to trades, healthcare workers to business managers—makes it the primary assessment body for most skilled migration applicants whose occupations fall outside specialist regulatory frameworks. VETASSESS assessments are valid for three years for visa application purposes and are recognised across all skilled migration visa subclasses (189, 190, 491, 482, 186, 494).
Which visas require a VETASSESS skills assessment?
VETASSESS assessments are required for skilled migration applications across multiple visa pathways, including permanent and temporary skilled visa subclasses.
A positive VETASSESS assessment confirms your occupation matches the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) descriptor and that your qualifications and experience meet required thresholds. This assessment is a mandatory evidence document for all skilled visa applications; without it, your visa application will be rejected during initial processing.
How VETASSESS assessment works
The VETASSESS assessment process typically takes 12 weeks for standard processing or 6 weeks for priority assessment. The evaluation examines your qualifications, work experience, and occupational suitability against published assessment criteria.
- Check occupational eligibility and assessment requirements on the VETASSESS Website
- Gather certified copies of all educational qualifications, transcripts, and employment documentation
- Complete the online application form and upload required documents with applicable fees
- VETASSESS verifies documents with educational institutions and employers to confirm authenticity
- Assessment officer reviews your qualifications and experience against ASCO descriptor and AQF standards
- Receive formal assessment outcome letter confirming positive or negative result
- Download your assessment report from the secure online portal once available
Assessment pathways
VETASSESS offers three primary assessment pathways tailored to different qualification and experience profiles. Each pathway has different evidence requirements and processing considerations.
For applicants with university degrees, advanced diplomas, or equivalent overseas qualifications. This pathway assesses formal tertiary qualifications against Australian AQF standards. Suitable for occupations requiring degree-level qualifications (engineers, IT professionals, accountants, nurses, etc.). Standard fee: AUD 750–850.
For applicants with apprenticeships, trade certificates (Cert III/IV), or overseas vocational qualifications. This pathway evaluates trade qualifications and relevant work experience. Suitable for licensed trades and vocational occupations (electricians, plumbers, welders, mechanics, etc.). Standard fee: AUD 550–650.
For applicants with substantial work experience but limited formal qualifications, or where overseas qualifications cannot be formally verified. RPL uses detailed work history, references, and statutory declarations to assess occupational competency. Processing time: typically 16–20 weeks. Fee: AUD 750–900.
Documents required
Documents required vary by pathway but typically include:
- Certified copy of highest completed qualification (degree certificate, diploma, or trade certificate)
- Official transcripts from all educational institutions attended, issued directly to VETASSESS
- Employment reference letters on company letterhead from supervisors or HR, detailing job title, duties, and employment duration
- Statutory declaration(s) confirming work experience and key occupational duties if references unavailable
- Payslips, employment contracts, or tax returns as evidence of work experience and income
- Official skills assessment or professional registration from overseas authority if applicable
- Certified English translation of all documents in non-English languages (by NAATI translator)
- Character references or professional references from colleagues or mentors (for RPL pathway)
- Resume or CV detailing complete work history and occupational responsibilities
- Evidence of continuing professional development or relevant training (industry certifications, courses, etc.)
All overseas documents must be officially issued, certified as true copies, and—if in a language other than English—translated by a NAATI-accredited translator. Employment reference letters must be on company letterhead and include the assessor's full name, title, and direct contact details.
VETASSESS assessment fees
| Application type | Fee (AUD, approx.) |
|---|---|
| Professional Pathway (Standard) | AUD 750 |
| Trade Pathway (Standard) | AUD 600 |
| Priority Processing (Additional) | AUD 250 |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) | AUD 850 |
| Reassessment / Review | AUD 350 |
| Duplicate Assessment Report | AUD 75 |
Assessment outcomes
VETASSESS issues one of three outcomes:
A positive VETASSESS assessment confirms that your occupation matches the Australian Standard Classification and your qualifications and experience meet the required threshold. The assessment is valid for three years from the date of issue and can be used for all skilled migration visa applications (189, 190, 491, 482, 186, 494) within this period. Once issued, you receive a formal assessment letter and can download your report from the VETASSESS Website.
A negative assessment means your qualifications or experience do not meet the required standard for the assessed occupation. You may request a formal review (AUD 350) if you believe the assessment was incorrect, or you can reapply after gaining additional qualifications, work experience, or further education. You have 12 months from the assessment date to request a review.
If you disagree with your assessment outcome, you can lodge a formal review request within 12 months of the assessment decision. The review fee is AUD 350 and the process typically takes 8–10 weeks. A different assessor will reconsider your application and supporting evidence.
Occupations assessed by VETASSESS
VETASSESS is the nominated assessing authority for the following ANZSCO occupations. Click any occupation to see full visa pathway details.
| ANZSCO | Occupation | List |
|---|---|---|
| 261112 | ICT Systems Analyst | MLTSSL |
| 261311 | Analyst Programmer | MLTSSL |
| 263111 | Computer Network and Systems Administrator | MLTSSL |
| 271311 | Accountant | MLTSSL |
| 271112 | Financial Investment Adviser | STSOL |
| 312111 | Civil Engineer | MLTSSL |
| 312411 | Mechanical Engineer | MLTSSL |
| 323214 | Electrician (General) | MLTSSL |
| 323213 | Electrician (Special Class) | MLTSSL |
| 331111 | Plumber (General) | MLTSSL |
| 321212 | Carpenter | MLTSSL |
| 321311 | Welder (First Class) | MLTSSL |
| 241513 | Registered Nurse (General) | MLTSSL |
| 254413 | Motor Mechanic | MLTSSL |
| 511111 | Chef | MLTSSL |
| 134111 | Cafe or Restaurant Manager | STSOL |
| 122111 | General Manager | STSOL |
| 225111 | Contracts Manager | STSOL |
| 261212 | Software Engineer | MLTSSL |
| 231112 | Occupational Health and Safety Adviser | STSOL |