Occupation
Select the closest genuine match
Titles alone are not enough; duties, qualifications and employment context can be important.
← All migration pathways
Skills assessments
Choose the right occupation, authority and evidence from the beginning.
A skills assessment can be central to skilled migration, but the correct process depends on your nominated occupation and intended visa.
Start with the occupation
A skills assessment is pathway-specific.
Home Affairs assigns assessing authorities to eligible skilled occupations. Each authority sets its own criteria, documents, fees, timeframes and review processes.
Your nominated occupation should align with your qualifications and actual work duties. A positive assessment is important for relevant visas, but it is not a visa grant or invitation.
Core assessment decisions
What must line up before lodging?
The occupation, authority, assessment type and visa purpose should be checked as one connected plan.
Authority
Use the designated assessor
The correct authority is listed against the occupation for the relevant migration purpose.
Assessment type
Choose the relevant pathway
Some authorities offer multiple assessment types with different criteria and outcomes.
Visa strategy
Check how the result will be used
Validity, dates and requirements must align with the intended visa or EOI.
Prepare a decision-ready file
Make employment claims independently verifiable.
- ✓Map qualifications and duties against the authority’s current criteria.
- ✓Use detailed references supported by reliable employment records.
- ✓Explain gaps, self-employment or unusual evidence clearly.
Avoid preventable errors
The wrong assessment can delay the whole strategy.
- ×Do not choose an occupation only because its title sounds similar.
- ×Do not assume a positive assessment guarantees visa eligibility.
- ×Do not submit altered, generic or unsupported employment evidence.
Preparing your evidence
Follow the authority’s checklist precisely.
Exact requirements vary, but identity, qualification and employment evidence commonly form the core record.
- 01 Identity and name-change records
- 02 Degree, diploma or trade certificates
- 03 Academic transcripts
- 04 Detailed employer references
- 05 Payslips, tax or social insurance records
- 06 Contracts and position descriptions
- 07 Self-employment evidence where relevant
- 08 Certified translations where required
Application journey
From first check to a decision.
-
01
Identify the occupation
Compare actual qualifications and duties with eligible occupation descriptions.
-
02
Confirm the authority
Check the Home Affairs list and the authority’s current assessment type.
-
03
Build the evidence
Prepare documents in the required form and resolve gaps before lodging.
-
04
Use the outcome
Check result details and validity against the intended visa or EOI.
Costs and timing
Check current information before you act.
Assessing authorities set their own fees and processing estimates. Translation, certification, tests, priority services or review costs may also apply.
Common complications
Small inconsistencies can create large questions.
- • Job titles differ from actual duties
- • Employer references cannot be obtained
- • Qualifications are not closely related
- • Assessment dates do not support claimed skilled employment
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers to common starting questions.
Who decides whether my skills are suitable? +
The assessing authority designated for the nominated occupation decides the assessment under its own published criteria.
Does a positive skills assessment guarantee a visa? +
No. It addresses one part of relevant visa eligibility. Points, English, age, nomination, invitation and other criteria may still apply.
Can I use any assessing authority? +
No. You must identify the authority and assessment type applicable to the nominated occupation and migration purpose.
How long is a skills assessment valid? +
Validity depends on the authority’s outcome and the requirements of the visa process. Both should be checked before relying on it.
Authoritative sources
Check the official rules.
The following official pages were used to prepare this guide.
Sources last checked: 24 July 2026.
Your next step
Would you like clarity before you apply?
Tell us about your circumstances. We can help you identify the questions and evidence that deserve attention.
General information only: This page does not provide personal migration advice or guarantee eligibility, processing time or an outcome. Requirements and government information can change. Check current official information and consider professional advice for your circumstances.