Do I Need a Skills Assessment for My Work Visa? Here's How to Check

One key requirement for a work visa is that you meet the skills and work experience requirements for the nominated role you choose. This leads to the common question, "Do I need a skills assessment?" The answer depends on the type of visa you are planning to apply for, your nominated occupation, and your individual circumstances.

What is a Skills Assessment?

A skills assessment is an official evaluation conducted by Australia's approved and qualified assessing authority. The assessment includes verifying that your qualifications, skills and work experience meet the standard of the nominated occupation. You must acquire a positive skills assessment to meet the work visa eligibility.

When is Skills Assessment Required?

Under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) points-based program, acquiring a positive skills assessment is mandatory for most skilled migration visas, such as the Skilled—Independent Visa (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), and Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491). Obtaining a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation will allow you to claim the required points.
Employer-sponsored visas, such as the Skills in Demand (SID) visa (Subclass 482), require a positive skills assessment for certain visa applicants. The type of nominated occupation and the applicant’s nationality determine the need for a skills assessment.
The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa – Direct Entry stream is a mandatory requirement to acquire a skills assessment.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494) and Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) - Post-Vocational Education Work stream usually require a skills assessment for nominated occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) to demonstrate your qualifications and capabilities.

You can refer to the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) occupation list on the specific assessing body for each occupation. Have a valid and positive skills assessment is required to meet the visa requirement as evidence of your ability to perform your nominated occupation.

How Can Agape Henry Crux Help

For any skilled migration-related concerns or questions, speak with an immigration lawyer for advice and guidance tailored to your specific situation to meet your visa objective. At Agape Henry Crux, our team of immigration lawyers works with our Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law who specialise in handling highly complex matters. You can schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.

We speak fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese. We can also help you arrange an interpreter if this isn't your language.

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.

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