A valid skills assessment is the gateway to most Australian skilled visas. Here's what it is, why it matters, and how to get it right the first time.
What a skills assessment is
A skills assessment is an independent evaluation that confirms your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation. It's a mandatory prerequisite for almost every skilled and employer-sponsored visa.
The assessing authority depends on your occupation — engineers are assessed by Engineers Australia, accountants by CPA/CA ANZ/IPA, IT professionals by the ACS, and so on. Choosing the right authority is the first step.
Why it comes first
You cannot claim points for qualifications or experience, and you cannot lodge most skilled visa applications, without a positive skills assessment in hand. It effectively sets the clock on your entire application timeline.
Starting the assessment early — often before you sit an English test — means the longest-lead item is underway while you prepare everything else.
What you'll need
Most authorities require certified copies of your qualifications, detailed syllabus or course transcripts, employment references covering the relevant years, and a current CV. Some require an interview, a technical report, or a practical assessment.
The most common pitfall is under-documented employment: references that don't map cleanly to the nominated occupation's duties. We help you prepare references and evidence that will satisfy the authority on the first review.
Getting it right the first time
Assessments can take weeks to months, and a negative outcome means resubmitting and starting the clock again. We review your evidence against the authority's published criteria before you lodge, so your assessment supports the strongest possible visa claim.
