Skills assessments
A positive skills assessment is the mandatory foundation of almost every skilled visa. We manage the evidence preparation for Australia’s assessing authorities so your qualifications and employment history are presented at full strength — before a mismatch triggers a refusal.
The assessing authorities
VETASSESS
Professional and trade occupations across Groups A–E. We manage complex qualification assessments and employment verification.
- • Group A–E occupations
- • Trade skills audits
- • Post-secondary qualifications
Indicative fee ~$1,070–$1,300
ACS
For ICT professionals — degree assessments and the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway.
- • Software engineering
- • Data & analytics
- • Cyber security
Indicative fee ~$1,050
Engineers Australia
Migration Skills Assessment for engineers, including drafting of Competency Demonstration Reports (CDRs).
- • Civil & structural
- • Mechanical & mining
- • Electrical
Package-based fees (indicative)
TRA
Trades Recognition Australia — the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) and Job Ready Program (JRP).
- • Construction trades
- • Automotive
- • Cookery & hospitality
Program-based fees (indicative)
Third-party assessing-authority fees are indicative only and change regularly — confirm current pricing with the relevant authority. Fees current as at 3 July 2026 (FY2026-27).
Alignment before lodgement
A mismatch between your employment references and the ANZSCO description for your occupation can result in an immediate negative assessment. We draft and audit every piece of evidence — payslips, tax records, position descriptions and references — so your case aligns with the legislative criteria before it reaches the authority.
Not sure where you stand?
A positive skills assessment is only the first requirement — see how your profile scores on the current points table.
Use points calculatorSkills assessments, answered
Do I need a skills assessment for every visa?
A positive skills assessment is mandatory for the general skilled migration visas (189, 190 and 491) and for most employer-sponsored nominations. The assessing authority and the type of assessment depend on your occupation and its ANZSCO code. We confirm which authority applies to you and what it will look for before you spend money on an application.
What is the difference between a qualifications and an employment assessment?
Most authorities assess your qualifications against the Australian standard for your occupation, and separately assess your employment history to confirm it is at the required skill level. Employment assessments are where cases most often come unstuck — references that do not match your duties, or gaps in payslips and tax records, can reduce the years counted or produce a negative outcome. We prepare both strands together.
What does a skills assessment cost in 2026-27?
Authority fees are indicative and change regularly: VETASSESS professional assessments are around $1,070–$1,300, ACS around $1,050, and Engineers Australia charges on a package basis that varies by pathway. Priority processing and onshore GST can add to these. Confirm current pricing with the relevant authority; our professional fees are quoted separately in your costs agreement.
Can I challenge a negative skills assessment?
Most authorities offer an internal review or reassessment process, and in some cases a fresh application with stronger evidence is the better course. Because a negative outcome can also affect a related visa decision at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), we advise on the right forum and rebuild the evidence rather than simply re-lodging the same material.
Get the foundation right
A skills assessment is the foundation your whole visa is built on. We act in assessment preparation, reassessment and review matters for skilled professionals Australia-wide.