Key terms
1. Qualifications
VETASSESS assesses your post-secondary educational qualifications against the educational level requirements of your nominated occupation. In addition to this, we also assess whether your qualifications are in a highly relevant field to your nominated occupation.
We take the following factors into consideration to assess the educational level:
- the education system of the country where qualifications were obtained
- the accreditation of the awarding institution and the qualification
- the level, structure, length and content of the program of study undertaken
- quality indicators for the country concerned – education system, awarding institution and program of study.
We take the following factors into consideration to assess whether your qualification is in a highly related field of study to your nominated occupation:
- 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 at least 33% for a 3 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
Key terms
| Highly relevant qualification | A qualification is considered highly relevant if it has a major area of study in the same field as the nominated occupation or in a field which is considered suitable preparation for employment in that occupation. |
| Major area of study | The qualification or academic transcript/mark sheet may state the major area of study. The major area of study is the concentration of subjects which was the main focus of the educational program leading to the qualification. The major area of study usually includes a progression of subjects of increasing depth and/or specialisation. Some qualifications have two majors in which case applicants should provide details of both. For qualifications assessed at Australian bachelor degree level VETASSESS determines the relevance of the field of study to the nominated occupation by consideration of the following:
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| Appropriate skill level | The employment needs to be at the required skill level. For Group A occupations, the employment needs to be post-bachelor degree. Pre- and post-qualification employment
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| Highly relevant employment | Only paid employment which is highly relevant to the nominated occupation and at an appropriate skill level for the nominated occupation will be considered for assessment. This means that the major tasks undertaken in your everyday work should closely match major tasks usually undertaken in that occupation in Australia. The employment also must be paid and at the same skill level as your nominated occupation. |
| Closely related employment | For Points Test purposes, VETASSESS applies DIAC's definition of "closely related employment" to the nominated occupation. DIAC defines closely related employment as paid employment of at least 40 hours per fortnight in an occupation in the same Unit Group of ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) as the nominated occupation. This implies that the employment should be at the same skill level as the nominated occupation and should draw on a similar skill set and subject matter. Usually closely related employment is in the same industry. The employment must also match the lead statement in ANZSCO for the nominated occupation. |
| Employment must be skilled | For employment to be considered ‘skilled’ it must meet two requirements:
For example, when comparing two managers at different skill levels, the major tasks for an Office Manager (ANZSCO Code 512111) may include supervision and orientation of staff, preparation of annual estimates of expenditure, responsibility for budgetary and inventory controls, making recommendations to management, maintaining management information systems (manual or computerised) and other office administration related activities. In comparison, the major tasks of a Construction Project Manager (ANZSCO code 133111) require specialised knowledge of the construction industry and may include: interpreting architectural drawings, specifications, bills of quantities and plans; estimating costs and quantities of labour and materials; creating and implementing coordinated programs for site activities and work control systems; ensuring adherence to building legislation and standards of building performance; and possibly being involved in the development of government and corporate building policies. |
| Full time | VETASSESS does not require applicants to have been in full time work, but must have been working and paid for a minimum of 40 hours a fortnight. 40 hours a fortnight means work for at least 40 hrs each fortnight during employment. Irregular periods that average out to 40 hours a fortnight over a year will not be considered. |
| Employment / Employed | Is defined to mean 'engaged in an occupation for remuneration for at least 40 hours each fortnight'. |
| Remuneration | Employment needs to have been paid at the award or market rate. For the purposes of the Skills Assessment, volunteer work, or work towards gaining professional skills is not considered remuneration. |
| Not elsewhere classified | Occupations listed as "not elsewhere classified" (n.e.c.) assessed by VETASSESS include
The employment in these nominated occupations should not better match another ANZSCO code (whether assessed by VETASSESS or not). When considering whether to nominate a 'nec' occupation, applicants should consider the sub major group description and whether their skills best fit this category. |
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