The Importance of Skill Assessment in Australian Immigration

The Importance of Skill Assessment in Australian Immigration

General Skilled Migration (GSM) is a popular way for individuals with particular skills to migrate to Australia permanently. This program is designed to attract skilled workers to the country to fill gaps in the Australian labor market. As part of the application process applicants must undergo a skills assessment to ensure they meet the necessary requirements for their nominated occupation.

What is a skill assessment?

A skill assessment is a process that evaluates an individual’s qualifications, skills and work experience to determine if they meet the standards required for their nominated occupation in Australia. It is a check conducted by a third party body that’s tied to immigration. It is the job of the skill assessment authority to confirm (with evidence) that you are you say you are, and that you have the right skills, qualifications and experience in your role so that you are equivalent to an Australian worker in the same occupation.

The skills assessment process is a crucial part of the GSM application process as it helps to ensure that only qualified individuals are granted permanent residency in Australia. Different assessing authorities are responsible for conducting skills assessments for different occupations because the skill assessment authorities in Australia are usually industry bodies.

Why is a skill assessment necessary?

The skills assessment process is necessary to ensure that the individual possesses the required skills, qualifications and experience to work in their nominated occupation in Australia. This process helps to protect the interests of Australian employers and ensures that they only hire qualified individuals who can meet their workforce needs. A skill assessment helps to maintain the integrity of the Australian migration system by ensuring that only qualified individuals are granted permanent residency.

Who conducts the skill assessment?

Skills assessments are conducted by designated assessing authorities for each occupation. These authorities are responsible for assessing the qualifications, skills and experience of the applicants to determine if they meet the standards required for their nominated occupation in Australia.

How does the skills assessment process work?

The skills assessment process varies depending on the occupation and the assessing authority. However, the general steps involved in the skills assessment process are as follows:

Step 1: Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI) and SkillSelect

The first step in the GSM application process is to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the SkillSelect system. This system is an online service that allows individuals to indicate their interest in migrating to Australia and provide details about their qualifications, skills and work experience. Applicants must also specify their nominated occupation, which will determine the relevant assessing authority.

Step 2: Assessment of qualifications and documents

Once an applicant has submitted an EOI, the assessing authority will evaluate their qualifications and documents to determine if they meet the standards required for their nominated occupation. This step typically involves verifying educational qualifications, work experience, language proficiency and any other relevant information provided by the applicant.

Step 3: Technical interview

In some cases, the assessing authority may require the applicant to participate in a technical interview to assess their practical skills and knowledge. This interview may be conducted in person, via video conference or over the phone, depending on the assessing authority’s requirements.

Step 4: Skills assessment outcome

After completing the skills assessment process, the assessing authority will provide the applicant with an outcome letter. This letter will indicate whether the applicant’s qualifications and skills meet the requirements for their nominated occupation in Australia. If the outcome is positive, the applicant can proceed to the next step of the GSM application process. If the outcome is negative, the applicant may be able to apply for a review of the assessment decision or consider other options for migration to Australia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the skills assessment process is a critical component of the General Skilled Migration program in Australia. It helps to ensure that only qualified individuals are granted permanent residency and that Australian employers have access to the skilled

List of all Skill Assessment Authorities in Australia

Engineers Australia

Website: https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/
Contact: National Office – 03 9321 1700 or email to migrate@engineersaustralia.org.au

Australian Computer Society (ACS)

Website: https://www.acs.org.au/
Contact: Member Services – 02 9299 3666 or email to assessment@acs.org.au

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)

Website: https://www.tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au/
Contact: 1300 360 992 or email to traenquiries@education.gov.au

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)

Website: https://www.anmac.org.au/
Contact: 03 9285 7800 or email to apply@anmac.org.au

Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)

Website: https://www.pharmacycouncil.org.au/
Contact: 02 6188 4288 or email to assessment@pharmacycouncil.org.au

Australian Institute of Management (AIM)

Website: https://www.aim.com.au/
Contact: 1300 658 337 or email to info@aim.com.au

Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)

Website: https://www.publicaccountants.org.au/
Contact: 03 8665 3100 or email to migration@publicaccountants.org.au

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)

Website: https://www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/
Contact: 1300 137 322 or email to migration@charteredaccountantsanz.com

Australian Dental Council (ADC)

Website: https://www.adc.org.au/
Contact: 08 8212 7399 or email to adc@adc.org.au

Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL)

Website: https://www.aitsl.edu.au/
Contact: 03 9944 2200 or email to overseasqualifications@aistl.edu.au

Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC)

Website: https://www.physiocouncil.com.au/
Contact: 03 9415 1513 or email to admin@physiocouncil.com.au

Australian Institute of Building (AIB)

Website: https://aib.org.au/
Contact: 1800 664 715 or email to membership@aib.org.au

Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)

Website: https://www.aiqs.com.au/
Contact: 02 8234 4000 or email to assess@aiqs.com.au

Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA)

Website: https://www.acwa.org.au/
Contact: 03 9654 3550 or email to assessment@acwa.org.au

Australian Council on Chiropractic Education (ACCE)

Website: https://www.acce.edu.au/
Contact: 07 3839 4566 or email to admin@acce.edu.au

Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA)

Website: https://www.aila.org.au/
Contact: 02 6248 9970 or email to admin@aila.org.au

Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ)

Website: https://www.ocanz.org/
Contact: 03 9650 3366 or email to admin@ocanz.org

Australian Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)

Website: https://www.imanet.org/
Contact: +61 2 8076 3010 or email to aus.nz@imanet.org

Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)

Website: https://www.aims.gov.au/
Contact: +61 7 4753 4444 or email to aims@aims.gov.au

Australian Medical Council (AMC)

Website: https://www.amc.org.au/
Contact: +61 2 6270 9700 or email to amc@amc.org.au

Australian Veterinary Association (AVA)

Website: https://www.ava.com.au/
Contact: 1300 137 309 or email to vetboard@ava.com.au

Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA)

Website: https://www.ccea.com.au/
Contact: +61 3 9899 7066 or email to admin@ccea.com.au

Institution of Surveyors New South Wales (ISNSW)

Website: https://www.isnsw.org.au/
Contact: +61 2 9436 0222 or email to admin@isnsw.org.au

National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI)

Website: https://www.naati.com.au/
Contact: +61 2 6274 9400 or email to support@naati.com.au

Pharmacy Board of Australia (PBA)

Website: https://www.pharmacyboard.gov.au/
Contact: 1300 419 495 or email to customerservice@ahpra.gov.au

Physical Education Teachers Registration Board (PETRB)

Website: https://www.petrb.sa.edu.au/
Contact: +61 8 8226 2666 or email to petrb@sa.gov.au

Australian Institute of Architects (AIA)

Website: https://www.architecture.com.au/
Contact: 02 6120 2800 or email to national@architecture.com.au

Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (AIOH)

Website: https://www.aioh.org.au/
Contact: 03 9899 4411 or email to office@aioh.org.au

Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

Website: https://www.aasw.asn.au/
Contact: 1800 630 124 or email to overseas.quals@aasw.asn.au

Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)

Website: https://www.aiqs.com.au/
Contact: 02 8234 4000 or email to assess@aiqs.com.au

Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA)

Website: https://www.anzca.edu.au/
Contact: 1800 806 654 or email to assessments@anzca.edu.au

Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT)

Website: https://www.asmirt.org/
Contact: 03 9419 3336 or email to info@asmirt.org

Speech Pathology Australia (SPA)

Website: https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/
Contact: 1300 368 835 or email to spa@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD)

Website: https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/
Contact: 02 8741 4100 or email to education@dermcoll.edu.au

Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR)

Website: https://www.air.asn.au/
Contact: 02 9268 9777 or email to info@air.asn.au

Australian Institute of Management Accountants (AIMA)

Website: https://www.aima.org.au/
Contact: 1300 885 339 or email to info@aima.org.au

Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA)

Website: https://bdaa.com.au/
Contact: 03 9419 8888 or email to info@bdaa.com.au

The Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB)

Website: https://www.icb.org.au/
Contact: 1300 856 181 or email to info@icb.org.au

Australian Property Institute (API)

Website: https://www.api.org.au/
Contact: 1800 111 630 or email to api@api.org.au

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)

Website: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/
Contact: 1300 419 495 or email to overseaspractitioners@ahpra.gov.au

Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR)

Website: https://www.air.asn.au/
Contact: 03 9419 3336 or email to assessment@air.asn.au

Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

Website: https://www.aasw.asn.au/
Contact: 1800 630 124 or email to membership@aasw.asn.au

Australian and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council (ANZPAC)

Website: https://www.anzpac.org.au/
Contact: 02 9265 7766 or email to info@anzpac.org.au

Australian Osteopathic Accreditation Council (AOAC)

Website: https://www.osteopathy.org.au/
Contact: 02 9410 0099 or email to accreditation@osteopathy.org.au

Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)

Website: https://www.psychologycouncil.org.au/
Contact: 03 9905 0348 or email to apac@psychologycouncil.org.au

The Global Visa Bureau

Website: https://visabureau.co

Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA)

Website: https://www.ccea.com.au/
Contact: 03 7019 8653 or email to admin@ccea.com.au

Vetassess Skill Assessment

VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services) is a skill assessment authority in Australia responsible for assessing qualifications and skills for a range of trade and non-trade occupations.

Website: https://www.vetassess.com.au/
Contact: +61 3 9655 4801 or email to vetassess@vetassess.com.au
VETASSESS assesses qualifications for a range of occupations, including trades, engineering, ICT, healthcare, hospitality, and more. VETASSESS also offers English language proficiency testing for those seeking migration to Australia.

VETASSESS OTSR

A Vetassess OTSR (Offshore Skills Assessment Program for Trades Recognition Australia) is an assessment program designed to assess the skills and qualifications of applicants who have obtained their trade qualifications outside of Australia.

The assessment is conducted to determine if an applicant’s overseas qualifications and work experience are equivalent to the Australian standard for the particular trade occupation they are seeking to work in. The assessment takes into account a range of factors including the applicant’s qualifications and industry training. The OTSR is primarily aimed at tradies who are seeking to immigrate to Australia and work in their trade occupation.

Teachers skill assessment authority

The skills assessment authority for teachers in Australia is the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL). AITSL is responsible for assessing the skills and qualifications of teachers who want to migrate to Australia or apply for teacher registration in Australia.

Website: https://www.aitsl.edu.au/
Contact: 03 9944 2200 or email to overseasqualifications@aitsl.edu.au

AITSL assesses the skills and qualifications of teachers based on the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in all sectors, including early childhood, primary and secondary education. AITSL also provides advice and resources to help teachers improve their skills and meet the professional standards required for teaching in Australia.