Frequently asked questions
Answers to commonly asked questions about the new assessment process for Generalist Occupations.
1. What are the current requirements for a VETASESS Skills Assessment if I nominate a general occupation for migration purposes?
2. Am I eligible?
3. What is the SOL (Skilled Occupation List)?
4. How does the new SOL affect me?
5. What is ANZSCO?
6. What is ANZSCO Skill Level and how does that affect VETASSESS applicants?
7. Will DIAC accept my VETASSESS Skills Assessment if it was issued in ASCO?
8. Which Skilled Occupation List (SOL) applies to me?
- I held a 485 visa or had a pending 485 application with DIAC on 8 February, 2010
- I held a student visa (subclass 572/573/574) on 8 February, 2010, and will be applying for a Skilled Graduate (Temporary) visa (Subclass 485)
- I am a current student, but did not hold a student visa on 8 February, 2010, and will be applying for a Skilled Graduate (Temporary) visa (Subclass 485)
- I am an independent GSM applicant
- I am sponsored by my employer
- I am applying for State or Territory Sponsorship
9. I need to change my nominated occupation. Do I need a reassessment?
10. What if the skill level has changed?
11. What if VETASSESS is no longer the Assessment Authority for my occupation?
12. How often will the list change?
New ANZSCO SOL effective from the 1st of July 2010
Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485)
13. I am applying for a 485 visa – what SOL is applicable?
14. I am currently on a 485 visa after receiving a VETASSESS assessment for that purpose, and wish to apply for permanent residency. Do I require to be reassessed by VETASSESS
15. I need to apply for a 485 visa. Do I need to get my employment assessed by VETASSESS?
Pre-2010 Applicants/Completed Assessment
16. I obtained a successful assessment under the VETASSESS pre-2010 assessment criteria for the general professional occupations. Will this still be accepted by DIAC?
17. I have already sent my permanent residency visa application to DIAC together with a VETASSESS Skills Assessment. DIAC has advised me that my application is in the queue and will probably not be assessed until 2012. When DIAC processes my application, will I need another Skills Assessment from VETASSESS under the revised VETASSESS assessment process?
Recent Australian Qualifications
18. Will all applicants need to have their qualifications and employment assessed?
Occupation Information
19. What are the requirements for groups A, B, C, D?
20. How can I find out more about my nominated occupation?
Education
21. What is a highly related field of study?
22. What is 'study at the required educational level'?
23. What if I don't meet the requirements for my nominated occupation?
24. What if my qualification is not in a field highly relevant to my nominated occupation?
Employment
25. What if my employment has not been in a highly relevant field?
26. I have been studying and am only allowed to work for up to 20 hours a week; will this be enough for the full skills assessment?
27. What if my employment was more than 5 years ago?
28. What if I worked from 2004 to the start of 2005?
29. Do I need to provide documents relating to my employment, such as references or examples of my work?
30. I am currently studying and working for 20 hrs a week. Can this count as relevant employment for the VETASSESS assessment?
General
31. How long will the assessment take?
32. How much will it cost?
33. What will I get at the end of a successful assessment?
34. What will I receive if I am not successful in the assessment?
35. What is the expiry date for Skills Assessments under the new process?
36. If my Skills Assessment under the new VETASSESS assessment process expires after I have submitted my application for a permanent residency visa to DIAC, will I need to apply for a new skills assessment from VETASSESS?
37. Will the assessment require English language skills?
38. What documents will I need to submit with my application?
39. Do I need to submit original or certified documents as part of my evidence?
40. Why are original documents preferred for employment?
41. Will VETASSESS conduct technical interviews?
1. What are the current requirements for a VETASSESS Skills Assessment if I nominate a general occupation for migration purposes?
Applicants who need a Skills Assessment to support an application for permanent residency, require the following for a positive Skills Assessment:
- A qualification which is assessed at the required educational level for the nominated qualification in a field of study highly relevant to the nominated occupation.
and
- A minimum of one year of paid employment in a highly relevant occupation at an appropriate skill level. This employment can be completed anytime within the five years before the date of application to VETASSESS. For some occupations additional years of employment will be required if the qualification is at the required level but the major field of study does not match the nominated occupation.
Applicants who need a Skills Assessment to support an application for a Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485) only need a qualification assessment. For this process, applicants will need to hold a qualification which is assessed as comparable to the required educational level on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) for the nominated occupation in a highly relevant field of study. After gaining one year of relevant employment, applicants may apply for a full Skills Assessment (qualifications and employment) to support an application for permanent residency under the skilled migration scheme. For more information on 485 visas, please click here
top2. Am I eligible?
To be eligible to apply for assessment, you must:
- currently be a permanent resident of a country other than Australia and wish to migrate to Australia under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) or the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) program, or be applying for a Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485)
- nominate a general professional occupation - a managerial, professional, technician, community work, personal service work, clerical or administrative occupation for which VETASSESS is the relevant assessing authority
- hold post-secondary or higher educational qualifications at the required educational level, in a highly relevant field to your nominated occupation.
- have at least one year of paid employment out of the last five in a highly relevant field to your nominated occupation, at the same skill level as your nominated occupation.
For some occupations, additional years of relevant paid employment may compensate for qualifications which are at the required level but which lack content relevance. Please see nominating an occupation.
If you have trade qualifications or skills, please see Assess my trade skills, as you will require a different assessment process.
3. What is the SOL (Skilled Occupation List)?
On 17 May, 2010, DIAC announced that they would introduce a new SOL, to take effect on 1 July, 2010. The occupations on the new SOL have 6 digit ANZSCO Code, see What is ANZSCO?
This list details the occupations which will be available for a General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa. These visas are available for applicants who are independent migrants, or who have a relative, or State or Territory Nomination (Sponsorship).
There is a different occupation list for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS). Applicants need to have an employer to sponsor them if they nominate an occupation on the Employer Nomination Scheme List (ENSOL).
The new GSM list is much shorter and more targeted than previously, and VETASSESS has less occupations available for the GSM (Skilled Independent stream).
Each state will also issue a State Migration Plan, which will detail additional occupations which applicants can nominate for GSM, as a State Nominated visa applicant.
4. How does the new SOL affect me?
For all visa types
- You will need to ensure that you meet the assessment requirements for your nominated occupation for both the VETASSESS assessment, and for your visa.
- It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that they nominate an appropriate occupation for their visa/sponsorship requirements.
- For information about visas applicants should first visit the DIAC website at www.immi.gov.au. For more specialised visa advice applicants may contact DIAC or a MARA registered migration agent.
VETASSESS can only provide information regarding our assessment process, and cannot tell you which visa is best for you, which state or territory list your occupation appears on, or whether you will meet the visa requirements.
5. What is ANZSCO?
ANZSCO is the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, which replaces the ASCO (Australian Standard Classification of Occupations).
The occupations in ANZSCO have a 6 digit code and are grouped by occupation type:
Major Group 1 Managers
Major Group 2 Professionals
Major Group 3 Technicians and Trades Workers
Major Group 4 Community and Personal Service Workers
Major Group 5 Clerical and Administrative Workers
Major Group 6 Sales Workers
Major Group 7 Machinery Operators and Drivers
Major Group 8 Labourers
6. What is the ANZSCO Skill Level and how does that affect VETASSESS applicants?
| ANZSCO Skill Level | VETASSESS OCCUPATION GROUP |
|---|---|
| Skill Level 1 Australian Bachelor or higher degree or comparable qualification | Group A or B |
| Skill Level 2 Australian Associate Degree, Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma or comparable qualification | Group C |
| Skill Level 3 AQF Certificate III or AQF Certificate IV or comparable qualification | Group D |
7. Will DIAC accept my VETASSESS Skills Assessment if it was issued in ASCO?
All visa applicants to DIAC under the skilled migration program now need to nominate an ANZSCO occupation. DIAC will accept a pre- 1 July VETASSESS Skills Assessment with a nominated occupation in ASCO provided that there is a corresponding ANZSCO occupation which may still be nominated for migration purposes. Please check the schedules of occupations on the DIAC website at www.immi.gov.au. There are different schedules for General Skilled Migration (GSM), Employer Nomination, State Sponsorship, and for the Transition Arrangements applying to international students in Australia on 8 February 2010.
8. Which Skilled Occupation List (SOL) applies to me?
I held a 485 visa or a pending 485 application with DIAC on 8 February, 2010 and will be applying for a Skilled Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485)
VETASSESS recommends that you check the DIAC website at www.immi.gov.au. You may select an occupation either on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) (ASCO) in effect on 8 February, 2010, or nominate an occupation on the new SOL list (ANZSCO), implemented on 1 July, 2010. If you select an occupation on the ASCO list, you will need to nominate its corresponding ANZSCO occupation and ANZSCO code for your visa application. Click here.
I held a student visa (subclass 572/573/574) on 8 February, 2010, and will be applying for a Skilled Graduate (Temporary) visa (Subclass 485)
You will require a qualifications assessment from VETASSESS to support your application for the 485 visa if VETASSESS is the designated assessing authority for your nominated occupation for visa purposes. VETASSESS recommends that you check the DIAC website at www.immi.gov.au for visa information and for the relevant schedule of occupations to nominate an occupation for your visa purpose. It is our understanding that if you apply for a Skilled Graduate (Temporary) visa (Subclass 485) you may either select an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) (ASCO) in effect on 8 February, 2010 or the current SOL . If you select an occupation from the SOL in effect on the 8 February 2010 you need to nominate the corresponding ANZSCO occupation when applying for your 485 visa.
If you subsequently apply for a Permanent or Provisional Residency visa, you will need to nominate an occupation on a current SOL for the GSM or on the Employer Nomination Scheme Occupation List (ENSOL). To support an application for a visa under the GSM or ENS you will need a Skills Assessment for your nominated occupation. If you nominate a general professional ocucpation for which VETASSESS is the designated assessing authority, you will need to return to VETASSESS to apply for a full assessment of qualification/s and employment.
I am a current student, but did not hold a student visa on 8 February, 2010, and will be applying for a Skilled Graduate (Temporary) visa (Subclass 485)
You will require a qualifications assessment from VETASSESS to support your application for the 485 visa if VETASSESS is the designated assessing authority for your nominated occupation for visa purposes. For both your application for a 485 visa, and any subsequent application for a Permanent or Provisional Residency visa, you will need to nominate an occupation from the current SOL. VETASSESS recommends that you check the DIAC website at www.immi.gov.au for visa information and for the relevant schedule of occupations applicable to your visa purpose.
I am an independent GSM applicant
Applicants for a Permanent or Provisional Residency visa must nominate an occupation on the current SOL unless you held a 485 visa or had a pending application for a 485 visa on 8 February 2010 in which case you may opt to select an occupation on the SOL in effect on 8 February 2010. As the SOL in effect on that date was in ASCO you will need to nominate the corresponding ANZSCO occupation when applying for a skills assessment and for a permanent residency visa. Please refer to the VETASSESS and DIAC websites for the relevant SOL Schedule.
I am sponsored by my employer
Your employer can sponsor you for any occupation on the GSM or ENSOL lists. If the occupation is a general professional occupation assessed by VETASSESS you will need to ensure that you meet the skills assessment requirements for your nominated occupation.
I am applying for State or Territory Sponsorship
You will need to nominate an occupation on a State or Territory sponsorship list, and ensure that you meet all the requirements for State or Territory nomination, as well as for the VETASSESS Skills Assessment.
9. I need to change my nominated occupation. Do I need a reassessment?
Yes, you will have to apply for a reassessment.
10. What if the skill level has changed?
DIAC has advised that provided the occupation is still on the relevant SOL or ENS assessments issued before 1 July 2010 will be accepted even if the ANZSCO skill level for the nominated occupation changed on 1 July 2010.
11. What if VETASSESS is no longer the Assessment Authority for my occupation?
If the skills assessing authority for your nominated occupation has changed since you received your skills assessment from VETASSESS, and you have not yet submitted your visa application, DIAC may ask you to obtain a skills assessment from the new assessing authority.
If VETASSESS is no longer the assessment authority for your occupation, and you wish to have a reissue or reassessment, you will need to go to the new body.
12. How often will the list change?
DIAC have indicated that the SOL lists will be reviewed every financial year. State Migration plans will also be regularly reviewed to ensure they are meeting the needs of the state and employers.
New ANZSCO SOL effective from the 1st of July 2010
Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485)
Click here for more information about How to apply for a Skills Assessment for a 485 visa
13. I'm applying for a 485 - what SOL is applicable?
Applicants for a subclass 485 visa who held an Australian student visa on 8 February, 2010 may nominate an occupation on the SOL for the GSM which was in effect on 8 February 2010. From 1 January 2013, that transitional arrangement will cease. Applicants should check the the DIAC website for the relevant schedule of occupations and for further information about the 458 visa, including the deadline to apply for that visa after course completion.
14. I am currently on a 485 visa after receiving a VETASSESS assessment for that purpose, and wish to apply for permanent residency. Do I need to be reassessed by VETASSESS?
Only those 485 visa holders who applied to VETASSESS after the 1st January 2010 for a qualifications assessment in support of a 485 visa application will need to return to VETASSESS to apply for the Full Skills Assessment (qualifications and employment) to support an application for permanent residency. Click here to download the SRG29 Post 485 form.
15. I need to apply for a 485 visa. Do I need to get my employment assessed by VETASSESS?
No, the skills assessment to support an application for a Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485) does not require an assessment of employment. You only need to get your qualification(s) assessed for this visa.
Pre -2010 Applicants/Completed Assessment
16. I obtained a successful assessment under the VETASSESS pre – 2010 assessment criteria. Will this still be accepted by DIAC?
VETASSESS changed its assessment criteria for its general occupations on 1 January 2010. VETASSESS understands that DIAC will continue to accept Skills Assessments issued under the VETASSESSS pre-2010 assessment criteria provided that the nominated occupation remains on the Skilled Occupation List and VETASSESS is the designated assessing authority for that occupation.
17. I have already sent my permanent residency visa application to DIAC, together with a VETASSESS Skills Assessment. DIAC has advised me that my application is in the queue and will probably not be assessed until 2012. When DIAC processes my application, will I need another Skills Assessment from VETASSESS under the VETASSESS assessment process current at that time?
DIAC has advised that applicants who have already submitted their VETASSESS Skills Assessment with their permanent residency visa application will not need to obtain another Skills Assessment from VETASSESS.
Recent Australian Qualifications
18. Will all applicants for a Skills Assessment need to have an assessment of their qualifications and employment?
The full assessment is an assessment of qualification and employment, however, applicants who are applying for the on-shore Skilled - Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485) will only require a qualification assessment. After gaining one year of relevant employment, they may apply for the full Skills Assessment to support an application for permanent residency under the skilled migration program.
Occupation Information
19. What are the requirements for groups A, B, C, D?
VETASSESS has categorised its general occupations into groups A, B, C, D for assessment purposes. You can find out more about our assessment criteria by clicking here.
20. How can I find out more about my nominated occupation?
VETASSESS will assess your application against the requirements for your nominated occupation.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has information about each occupation and the requirements for migration on their Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI) page.
For information about the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, please see Australian Bureau of Statistics website. Please note that many occupations listed in ANZSCO may not be nominated for visa purposes.
Education
21. What is a highly relevant field of study?
A highly relevant field of study is a major which matches your nominated occupation or is in a closely related field of study which is assessed as suitable for employment in your nominated occupation in Australia.
To determine whether a qualification is in a highly related field of study to the nominated occupation VETASSESS considers:
- whether you hold a specialised qualification or whether your qualification has a major area of study which VETASSESS has identified as being suitable for the occupation in Australia
- the number of units completed in the related field (for example, this is usually 33% for a three year Bachelor degree course, or 25% for a four year Bachelor degree course)
- the progression of studies throughout the course
- the depth and breadth of studies in the field of study relevant to the nominated occupation
- the outcomes of the qualification for employment in the country concerned
- course requirements - thesis, major projects, internships/work placements
22. What is 'study at the required educational level'?
The qualification to be assessed must be at the educational level required for your nominated occupation. For example, for the nominated occupation 'Actuary 2293-15', you require a qualification assessed at Australian Bachelor degree or Australian higher degree level. Please click here to see the occupations and requirements for each group.
23. What if I don't meet the requirements for my nominated occupation?
If you do not meet the requirements for your nominated occupation, you will be issued with a negative outcome letter. If you disagree with the outcome, you should discuss your case with the assessor who will advise you about options for a reassessment.
24. What if my qualification is not in a field highly relevant to my nominated occupation?
For some occupations, evidence of extra employment in a field highly relevant to your nominated occupation may compensate for a lack of a highly related field of study. Please click here to see the occupations and requirements for each group.
Employment
25. What if my employment has not been in a highly relevant field?
Applicants who are applying for a skills assessment to support an application for permanent residency require a qualifications and employment assessment. For the employment assessment, VETASSESS requires that applicants provide evidence of at least one year of employment in a field highly relevant to their nominated occupation. If an applicant lacks sufficient highly relevant employment experience at an appropriate skill level, the application for a skills assessment will be unsuccessful. Please check the VETASSESS assessment criteria for each occupation group before nominating an occupation.
26. I have been studying and am only allowed to work for up to 20 hours a week; will this be enough for the full skills assessment?
In calculating years of paid employment, VETASSESS will count employment of at least 20 hours per week. We will not consider weeks of less than 20 hours per week even if the average hours of your employment was 20 hours per week or more.
It is important to note, however, that the employment should be paid, in a highly relevant field and at the same skill level as the nominated occupation. Generally, the employment needs to be post-qualification to be at the required skill level. Pre-qualification employment may sometimes count for occupations in Groups B, C and D provided that it was completed after the required skill level was achieved:
- Five years of relevant employment meets the entry level for Group B
- Three years of relevant employment meets the entry level for Groups C and D.
- Whether pre or post qualification, the employment needs to be within the five years preceding the application to VETASSESS and to be at an appropriate skill level for the occupation.
27. What if my employment was more than 5 years ago?
VETASSESS requires that applicants provide evidence at least one year of employment from anytime in the last 5 years. Employment that was completed before this is not applicable for assessment purposes. VETASSESS will assess employment of no less than 6 month blocks.
28. What if I worked from 2004 to the start of 2005?
VETASSESS will only assess employment that was completed within the 5 year period prior to applying. Therefore, in this case we would be unable to assess the employment because it falls outside these parameters.
29. Do I need to provide documents relating to my employment, such as references or examples of my work?
Yes, please see the employment section for details of what documentation is required.
30. I am currently studying and working for 20 hrs a week. Can this count as relevant employment for the VETASSESS assessment?
The employment should be paid, in a highly relevant field and at the same skill level as the nominated occupation. The employment needs to be post-qualification.
General
31. How long will the assessment take?
Skilled Graduate Visa (485)
Please note that the processing time for a qualifications only assessment (485 visas) is approximately 8-12 weeks once all documents required for assessment have been received by VETASSESS. Some cases may take longer depending on the complexity level of the case.
GSM/ ENSOL/ State Sponsored visa
If you apply for a full skills assessment to SRGO, the approximate time for assessment is
12-16 weeks once all documents required for assessment have been received by VETASSESS. Some cases may take longer depending on the complexity level of the case.
If you have a full skills Assessment which is now urgent due to your visa expiring or upcoming birthday, please submit an urgency request form and we will attempt to meet your deadline. Upcoming migration changes and potential State/Territory Sponsorship changes are not usually sufficient for an application to be processed urgently.
32. How much will it cost?
Click here to see our list of fees
33. What will I get at the end of a successful assessment?
If you are successful VETASSESS will issue an assessment outcome letter that states you have met the pre-migration skills assessment requirements. This letter can be submitted to the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to support your visa application.
34. What will I receive if I am not successful in the assessment?
If you are unsuccessful, we will issue an assessment outcome letter that states that you have not met the pre-migration skills assessment requirements. The letter will indicate the assessment components where your application did not meet the requirements.
35. What is the expiry date for Skills Assessments under the new process?
All Skills Assessments issued under the new arrangements will have a validity period of two years. The expiry date will be two years from the date of issue of the original Skills Assessment.
36. If my Skills Assessment under the new VETASSESS assessment process expires after I have submitted my application for a permanent residency visa to DIAC, will I need to apply for a new skills assessment from VETASSESS?
No. If you submit your VETASSESS Skills Assessment letter to DIAC before the expiry date on the Skills Assessment, you will not be required to provide another Skills Assessment while you are waiting to have your visa application processed.
37. Will the assessment require English language skills?
VETASSESS does not require evidence of English language proficiency for its skills assessment for general professional occupations. However, for information about DIAC’s English language proficiency requirements requirements, please visit their website at http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/175/eligibility-english.htm.
38. What documents will I need to submit with my application?
Please click here for a list of the documents that are to be submitted with your application.
39. Do I need to submit original or certified documents as part of my evidence?
It is preferred that you submit original documents relating to your employment and certified copies of documents relating to your personal information, training/qualifications and other documentation. Please note that neither certified copies nor original documents will be returned. Refer to required documents for further information.
40. Why are original documents preferred for employment?
VETASSESS prefers original documents so that we can check the integrity of the evidence received.
41. Will VETASSESS conduct technical interviews?
Under the new arrangements, as part of the assessment process, VETASSESS will telephone some applicants to clarify information in the application, and to discuss the applicant’s occupational skills. No additional charge will apply for a technical interview.
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