Are you thinking of applying for a skilled visa in Australia? That’s awesome! Australia is a great place to live and work, with lots of opportunities and benefits. But before you can apply for a skilled visa, you need to do one important thing: get your Skills Assessment done.
In this blog post, I’m going to tell you what a Skills Assessment is, why it’s important, who does it, and how to prepare for it.
What is Skills Assessment?
Skills Assessment is the Aussie version of checking if your skills are a good fit for the job you want. Think of it like a sports tryout or a theatre audition. You may be a player or an actor, but you still have to prove to the coach or director that you can deliver in the role.
A Skills Assessment evaluates your skills, qualifications, and work experience against the standards the government has imposed on specific occupations. It may involve sending documents such as transcripts, certificates, employment references, payment evidence and CVs. In some cases, even taking exams or interviews could be required. The authority will then give you a letter saying whether your skills are suitable or not for your chosen occupation.
Is Skills Assessment important?
Yes. Generally, if you want to work and live in Australia long-term with a skilled visa, you need a positive Skills Assessment. Some of the visas that require it include:
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494)
A Skills Assessment can also help you get more points for your visa application. Depending on how qualified you are and your work experience, you may claim additional points for a Skilled Visa. It may also make getting a job easier as it proves to your employer that you’re properly qualified to work in Australia.
If you’re a tradesperson like a plumber or an electrician, you also need a Skills Assessment to get an Australian licence.
Who does the Skills Assessment?
- Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services (VETASSESS): This is the biggest authority in Australia and it assesses over 300 occupations in general professional and trade fields.
- Australian Computer Society (ACS): This is the authority for ICT professionals.
- Engineers Australia (EA): This is the authority for engineering professionals.
- Trades Recognition Australia (TRA): This is the authority for trade occupations.
How do I complete a Skills Assessment?
How your skills are assessed is based on your occupation. Most professional occupations are assessed based on documents that you submit. For trade, it may include an interview and/or a practical demonstration.
To complete your Skills Assessment, you need to:
- Check the requirements. You need to check the assessing authority’s website or contact them directly to find out what documents you need to send, what fees you need to pay, and what tests or interviews you may need to take.
- Gather your documents. These may include transcripts, certificates, employment references, CVs, and portfolios. In some cases you may need to demonstrate English competency as well. Make sure that your documents are clear, complete, and up-to-date. If your documents are not in English, you need to have them translated by a certified translator.
- Apply online. Most authorities let you apply online for your Skills Assessment. You need to create an account on their website and fill out an online application form. You also need to upload or send your documents electronically or by post.
The time it takes for Skills Assessment varies depending on the authority and the occupation. It can take from a few weeks to several months. You can check the status of your application online or by contacting the authority. Once your Skills Assessment is done, you will get an outcome letter saying whether your skills are suitable or not for your chosen occupation.
If you need more help in preparing for your Skills Assessment, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are a team with over 17 years of combined experience in helping people achieve their Australian dream. We can help you with your Skills Assessment, visa application and more. Contact us today to book a consultation.
Disclaimer: This information is general in nature, subject to change at any time and not intended to provide any sort of migration advice.