AustraliaDrafted from the official pages listed under Sources, last read on 25 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change: check the official page before you act. This is not legal advice and does not guarantee any outcome.
Overview
VETASSESS says it assesses skills, qualifications and experience for skilled migration and for people already in Australia. Overseas applicants can have their skills recognised so they can continue skilled employment in Australia.
Its professional-occupations page says an assessment determines whether you have the skills and knowledge required to work in your occupation in Australia.
Which occupations
VETASSESS lists professional and other non-trade occupations in groups: Science, Health & Agriculture; Arts & Education; Business & Finance; Construction & Manufacturing; Hospitality & Retail. Trade occupations are assessed separately.
The skills assessing authority for an occupation depends on the occupation, so search the occupation online to confirm VETASSESS is the correct body.
How it works
Professional occupations follow four steps on the VETASSESS site.
Qualifications are compared with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Employment is assessed for relevance and skill level.
- Nominate an occupation and check its qualification and employment requirements.
- Check the occupation description and list to see whether your experience matches.
- Prepare your application materials. Optional Skills Assessment Support and Priority Processing are available.
- Apply online.
Trade occupations
The VETASSESS home page lists these steps for trade occupations: check eligibility, understand the assessment process, confirm the evidence you may need, find the up-front cost, and apply. The fee page lists staged assessment pathways.
What to check on the official page
VETASSESS says it cannot tell you which visa is best, or whether you will meet visa requirements. You must meet both the VETASSESS requirements and the visa requirements.
The Home Affairs page on skills assessing authorities could not be retrieved, so confirm the authority for your occupation there.
What changes often
The professional-occupations page says application fees will rise from September 9, 2026, in line with inflation. The fee table fetched may or may not show the new amounts, so re-check the fee page. Processing times and occupation lists also change.
Fees as published (checked 25 October 2026)
- Full Skills Assessment, professional occupations (in Australia, incl. GST): AUD 1,260.60
- Full Skills Assessment, professional occupations (non-tax-resident, excl. GST): AUD 1,146.00
- Priority Processing, added to Full Assessment (in Australia, incl. GST): AUD 949.30
- Priority Processing, added to Full Assessment (non-tax-resident, excl. GST): AUD 863.00
- Points Test Advice, qualifications only (in Australia, incl. GST): AUD 357.50
- Points Test Advice, qualifications only (non-tax-resident, excl. GST): AUD 325.00
- Reassessment within 12 months (in Australia, incl. GST): AUD 856.90
- Reassessment within 12 months (non-tax-resident, excl. GST): AUD 779.00
- Renewal within 3 years (in Australia, incl. GST): AUD 544.50
- Renewal within 3 years (non-tax-resident, excl. GST): AUD 495.00
- Trade occupations Pathway 1, Stage 1 Documentary Evidence Assessment: AUD 1,120.00
- Trade occupations Pathway 1, Stage 2 Technical Assessment: AUD 2,000.00
- Trade occupations Pathway 1, Stage 3 Practical Assessment: AUD 2,200.00
- Trade occupations Pathway 2, Stage 1 Documentary Evidence Assessment: AUD 1,120.00
- Trade occupations Pathway 2, Stage 2 Technical Interview: AUD 900.00