Skills Assessment for Australian Migration

Skills Assessment Authorities

A positive skills assessment from the correct designated authority is required for most skilled migration visa pathways in Australia. The assessing authority is determined by your OSCA occupation code. Select your authority below to view assessment requirements, fees, and processing times.

Speak with a Migration Lawyer View All Authorities

How skills assessment works

A skills assessment evaluates whether your overseas qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation. The Department of Home Affairs designates a specific assessing authority for each CSOL occupation. You must use the correct authority, as applying to the wrong body results in a rejection and loss of fees.

A positive skills assessment is typically required for: points-tested skilled migration (189, 190, 491 visas), the Direct Entry stream of the 186 Employer Nominated Scheme, and some employer-sponsored visa applications. The 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream does not require a separate skills assessment from an assessing body.

A positive assessment is valid for three years from the date of issue and can be used to support an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect or an employer nomination.

Step 1 - Confirm your occupation

Confirm your correct OSCA occupation code and the designated assessing authority. Multiple authorities may be available for some occupations, so choosing the right one matters.

Step 2 - Prepare your documents

Gather certified copies of all academic transcripts, official English translations, and detailed employment references from each employer confirming your duties, dates, and hours.

Step 3 - Lodge your application

Submit your application directly to the assessing authority's online portal with the required fee. Processing times vary by authority and application volume.

Step 4 - Receive your outcome

A positive outcome is valid for three years. You can then lodge an EOI in SkillSelect or use the assessment to support an employer nomination or 186 Direct Entry application.

Designated authorities

456

CSOL occupations

3 years

Assessment validity

8-16 wks

Typical processing time

All designated assessing authorities

Click any authority to view its specific assessment requirements, fees, processing times, and the full list of occupations it assesses. Use Ctrl+F to search this table.

Authority	Full Name	Key Occupations
AACA	Architects Accreditation Council of Australia	Architect, Landscape Architect
ACECQA	Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority	Early Childhood Teacher
ACPSEM	Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine	Medical Physicist
Australian Computer Society (ACS)	Australian Computer Society	Software Engineer, Cyber Security, ICT professionals
Australian Dental Council (ADC)	Australian Dental Council	Dentist, Dental Specialist
AIQS	Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors	Quantity Surveyor
AITSL	Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership	Primary, Secondary, Special Needs Teachers
ANMAC	Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council	Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Midwife
ANZSNM	Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine	Nuclear Medicine Technologist
AOPA	Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association	Orthotist or Prosthetist
Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)	Australian Pharmacy Council	Hospital, Retail, and Industrial Pharmacists
ASMIRT	Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy	Medical Radiographer, Radiation Therapist
AVBC	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council	Veterinarian
CA ANZ	Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand	Accountant (General), Management Accountant, Taxation Accountant
CASA	Civil Aviation Safety Authority	Aeroplane Pilot, Helicopter Pilot, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
CPA Australia	CPA Australia	Accountant (General), Management Accountant, Taxation Accountant
Engineers Australia	Engineers Australia	Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Structural Engineers
Governance Institute of Australia	Governance Institute of Australia	Company Secretary
IML	Institute of Managers and Leaders Australia and New Zealand	Chief Executive, Corporate General Manager, senior management
IPA	Institute of Public Accountants	Accountant (General), Management Accountant, Taxation Accountant
NAATI	National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters	Translator
OCANZ	Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand	Optometrist
Speech Pathology Australia	Speech Pathology Australia	Speech Pathologist
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)	Trades Recognition Australia	Electrician, Plumber, Carpenter, Bricklayer, Motor Mechanic and other trades
VETASSESS	Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services	Over 360 professional occupations including management, business, science, law, design

Source: Department of Home Affairs assessing authorities list. Always verify your designated authority on the DoHA skilled occupation list before applying.

Why instruct Visa Plan before your skills assessment?

Correct authority confirmed

We confirm the designated assessing authority for your specific OSCA occupation before you apply, preventing the cost of an application to the wrong body.

Application preparation

We advise on document requirements, employment reference content, and how to present your qualifications and experience to maximise the chances of a positive outcome.

Full migration strategy

A positive assessment is a prerequisite, not a visa. We build your complete migration strategy from the assessment through to visa grant or permanent residence.

Assessing authority information sourced from the Department of Home Affairs. Assessment fees and processing times are approximate and subject to change. Always verify directly with the relevant authority before applying. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.