What is VETASSESS?
VETASSESS is Australia's leading skills assessment authority, established to assess occupational qualifications for skilled migration purposes. It operates under a delegate authority arrangement with the Department of Home Affairs, assessing qualifications and experience against Australian industry standards and competency frameworks.
VETASSESS covers the broadest range of occupations of any assessing authority, including professional roles (accountants, engineers, healthcare professionals), skilled trades (electricians, plumbers, carpenters), technical specialists, and other occupational categories. This breadth makes it the primary assessment body for applicants whose occupations are not covered by specialist authorities like Engineers Australia or CPA Australia.
The authority assesses against the ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) framework, evaluating whether applicants' qualifications, experience, and demonstrated competencies meet or exceed Australian industry standards for their claimed occupation. Assessment outcomes directly influence skilled visa eligibility and occupation list placement.
Which visas require a VETASSESS skills assessment?
VETASSESS assessments are required or accepted for skilled visa applications across multiple visa subclasses, depending on the occupational category and visa type.
A VETASSESS assessment provides evidence that your qualifications and experience meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation. This assessment is a mandatory requirement for most skilled visa applications and is used by the Department of Home Affairs to confirm occupation eligibility, points assessment, and visa pathway suitability.
How VETASSESS assessment works
The VETASSESS assessment process is straightforward but requires careful documentation. Most assessments follow a standard pathway based on formal qualifications, though alternative pathways exist for experienced applicants without formal credentials.
- Create an online account at the VETASSESS portal and select your nominated occupation
- Complete the application form and provide personal identification (passport, birth certificate)
- Submit certified copies of all educational qualifications (degrees, diplomas, certificates with official transcripts)
- Provide employment references on company letterhead detailing your roles, responsibilities, and relevant experience
- VETASSESS reviews your documentation and may request additional evidence or conduct a technical interview
- Receive assessment outcome and, if positive, your assessment certificate is issued and can be included in your visa application
Assessment pathways
VETASSESS offers multiple assessment pathways to accommodate different applicant profiles, including those with formal qualifications and those with extensive work experience.
For applicants with relevant formal qualifications (degree, diploma, or advanced certificate) in their nominated occupation or a closely related field. VETASSESS assesses whether your qualification meets Australian industry standards. This is the most common pathway and typically takes 7 weeks.
For applicants with substantial work experience (typically 5+ years) in their occupation but without formal qualifications or with qualifications from non-English-speaking countries. VETASSESS evaluates demonstrated competency through employment history, references, and practical knowledge. This pathway takes approximately 8-10 weeks.
For applicants with both relevant qualifications and significant work experience. VETASSESS considers both elements in assessing whether you meet Australian standards for your occupation. This pathway can strengthen your assessment if your qualifications alone might be borderline.
Documents required
Documents required vary by pathway but typically include:
- Certified copy of your highest relevant educational qualification (bachelor's degree, diploma, advanced certificate)
- Official academic transcripts from all tertiary institutions attended, directly from the issuing institution
- Birth certificate or certified extract
- Passport or national identity document (photo page)
- Police clearance certificate (if required by VETASSESS for your occupation)
- Employment reference letters on official company letterhead detailing your job title, responsibilities, duration of employment, and relevant competencies
- Curriculum vitae detailing your complete work history and key achievements
- Statutory declaration (if you cannot obtain official documents or to provide additional context about your experience)
- If qualifications are from a non-English-speaking country, certified English translations of all documents
- Evidence of any professional registrations or licenses relevant to your occupation
All documents must be certified copies, which means they have been signed by a qualified person (magistrate, lawyer, notary public) as being true copies of the originals. If any documents are not in English, you must provide certified English translations alongside the originals.
VETASSESS assessment fees
| Application type | Fee (AUD, approx.) |
|---|---|
| Standard Assessment (Qualification-based) | AUD 575 |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) | AUD 750 |
| Supplementary Assessment / Reassessment | AUD 330 |
| Priority Processing (Standard) | AUD 200 |
| Priority Processing (RPL) | AUD 250 |
Assessment outcomes
VETASSESS issues one of three outcomes:
A positive skills assessment confirms that your qualifications and/or experience meet Australian industry standards for your nominated occupation. The assessment certificate is valid indefinitely and can be used immediately in visa applications. Your positive assessment enables you to claim occupation points in your visa application and satisfies the skills assessment requirement for all skilled visa subclasses.
A negative assessment means VETASSESS determined your qualifications or experience do not currently meet Australian standards for your claimed occupation. You have the right to request a reassessment or review if you believe the decision is incorrect. Some applicants pursue further qualifications or gain additional experience before reapplying.
If you receive a negative outcome, you may request a formal review of the decision within 12 months. The review is conducted by a different assessor and costs AUD 330. Alternatively, you can gain additional qualifications or experience and reapply as a new application.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 231111 | Accountant (General) | MLTSSL |
| 211112 | Electrical Engineer | MLTSSL |
| 211411 | Chemical Engineer | MLTSSL |
| 211512 | Civil Engineer | MLTSSL |
| 261111 | ICT Business Analyst | MLTSSL |
| 251511 | Nurse (Registered) | MLTSSL |
| 322112 | Electrician (General) | STSOL |
| 321111 | Plumber (General) | STSOL |
| 341111 | Carpenter and Joiner (General) | STSOL |
| 323213 | Diesel Engine Mechanic | STSOL |
| 323214 | Petrol Engine Mechanic | STSOL |
| 394111 | Chef | STSOL |
| 311111 | Landscaper | ROL |
| 321212 | Gas Fitter | STSOL |
| 341214 | Bricklayer | STSOL |