1. How the Authority System Works
Australia's skilled migration system does not allow applicants to choose which body assesses their skills. Each occupation on the skilled occupation list is designated to exactly one assessing authority, determined by the ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) unit group code. The authority evaluates whether your qualifications and employment are comparable to Australian standards for the nominated occupation — a judgment that is specific to both the authority and the ANZSCO code.
This matters because the same job title can map to different ANZSCO codes depending on the specific duties involved. A "Data Analyst" working in a technical capacity may fall under ANZSCO 261311 (Systems Analyst) assessed by ACS, while a "Data Analyst" in a business intelligence role may fall under ANZSCO 224711 (Management Consultant) assessed by VETASSESS. The duties, not the title, determine the code — and the code determines the authority.
Applying to the wrong authority typically results in one of two outcomes: the authority rejects the application as outside its designated scope (often without refunding the fee), or the authority assesses the application and produces a negative outcome because the occupation does not match its designated list. Either way, the time and fees invested are lost, and the applicant must restart with the correct authority.
2. The Major Assessing Authorities
The following table maps the principal occupation categories to their designated assessing authorities as of March 2026:
| Assessing Authority | Occupation Categories | Representative ANZSCO Codes | Typical Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Computer Society (ACS) | IT and technology professionals | 261111–261399, 262111–263299, 135100 | ~$530 |
| Engineers Australia (EA) | Professional engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, etc.) | 233111–233999 | ~$880 |
| VETASSESS | Broad range: business, management, science, education, social science, and many others (200+ unit groups) | 200–299, 400–419 ranges, many others | $715–$1,000+ |
| Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) | Trade and technical workers | 321111–323499, 341111–342999, 351111–351311 | ~$400 |
| ANMAC | Registered nurses, enrolled nurses, midwives | 254111–254422 | ~$350 |
| AHPRA | Medical practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and other regulated health professions | 251111–252799 | Varies by profession ($400–$900) |
| CPA Australia / CAANZ / IPA | Accountants (multiple bodies, occupation-specific) | 221111–221399 | ~$500 |
| AACA | Architects | 232111 | Varies |
| AIQS | Quantity surveyors | 232211 | Varies |
| ACWA | Social workers | 272511 | ~$500 |
| Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR) | Medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals | 251211–251214 | Varies |
| Optometry Board / AHPRA | Optometrists | 251411 | Varies |
3. How to Find the Right Authority for Your Occupation
The correct process for identifying the right assessing authority is as follows:
Step 1: Identify Your ANZSCO Code
Use the ANZSCO search tool on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website or the skills occupation list search at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Search by your occupation title and review the unit group descriptions carefully — the correct code is determined by actual duties, not the title alone. Pay close attention to the "Tasks Include" section of each ANZSCO entry, which defines the duties that qualify for that classification.
Step 2: Check the Skilled Occupation Lists
Once you have identified your ANZSCO code, confirm it appears on one of the three skilled occupation lists maintained by DHA:
- MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List) — eligible for 189, 190, and 491
- STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List) — eligible for 190 and 491 in most states, and 482 TSS short-term stream
- ROL (Regional Occupation List) — eligible for 491 regional pathway only
Step 3: Confirm the Designated Assessing Authority
The skilled occupation list entries show the designated assessing authority for each ANZSCO code. Confirm the authority against the DHA list before making any payment. Do not rely on third-party websites for this confirmation — use the official DHA source as the definitive reference.
Dual-Eligible Occupations
A small number of occupations may technically match more than one ANZSCO code. In these cases, the applicant must select one code and apply to the corresponding authority. The selected code should be the most accurate description of the primary duties performed — not the one offering the easiest assessment pathway. Misrepresenting duties to obtain a different code is a character concern that can affect the visa application.
4. What Each Authority Requires
ACS (Australian Computer Society)
The ACS assesses IT professionals against a Skills Recognition Checklist that evaluates the ICT content of your qualifications and the relevance of your employment duties. A key distinction in ACS assessments is whether your highest qualification is a Bachelor or higher in ICT (which provides direct pathway assessment) versus a qualification in another field (which triggers the ICT Major/Minor stream with higher employment evidence requirements). The ACS RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) pathway is available for applicants without any formal ICT qualification — see the FAQ below.
Engineers Australia
Engineers Australia assesses under several streams: the Washington Accord stream (for degrees from Washington Accord signatory countries), the Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) stream (for all others), and a fast-track pathway for members of certain overseas professional engineering bodies. The CDR stream requires three career episodes (structured narratives of specific engineering projects) plus a summary statement — a document-intensive process that typically takes 4–8 weeks to prepare well.
VETASSESS
VETASSESS covers the broadest range of occupations of any single authority. Assessment is typically conducted on a two-part basis: qualification assessment (comparing overseas credentials to Australian qualification levels) and employment assessment (verifying that employment was at the required skill level and in the nominated occupation). VETASSESS assessments are known for a high rate of negative outcomes when employment evidence is ambiguous about duties or skill level — detailed, duties-specific reference letters are essential.
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)
TRA assessments use the Trade Recognition Skills Assessment (TRSA) process, which includes document submission plus a practical skills demonstration at a nominated Australian assessment centre (or offshore in some cases). Trade assessments are the most process-intensive of all pathways and typically require the applicant to travel to an assessment centre in person. Processing times average 12–20 weeks from lodgement.
ANMAC (Nursing and Midwifery)
ANMAC assesses nurses and midwives against the requirements of Ahpra registration and the Australian nursing competency standards. The assessment considers both educational program equivalence and clinical hours. A positive ANMAC assessment is a prerequisite for AHPRA registration for internationally qualified nurses — the two processes run sequentially, not concurrently.