Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for a skills assessment for a temporary worker visa?
What is an evidence assessment?
What is a competency group?
How do I find out about the requirements for my trade?
Where will I be assessed?
How long does it take?
Will the assessment require English language skills?
Can I use an interpreter during the technical interview?
Will information I provide be shared with any other organisation?
Are the fees refundable?
How much does a skill assessment for a temporary worker visa cost?

Who can apply for a skills assessment for a temporary worker visa?

Persons seeking a temporary worker visa (subclass 457 visa) from the following countries and in the nominated trades below can apply. The countries are:

  • Brazil
  • China
  • Fiji
  • India
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • South Africa
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
  • Zimbabwe

The nominated trades are:

  • Motor Mechanic (General)
  • Diesel Mechanic
  • Motorcycle Mechanic
  • Panel Beater
  • Vehicle Painter
  • Automotive Electrician
  • Cook
  • Chef
  • Baker
  • Welder (First Class)
  • Fitter (General)
  • Metal Fabricator
  • Metal Machinist (First Class)
  • Metal Fitters and Machinists nec
  • Sheet-metal Trades Worker
  • Electrician (General)
  • Carpenter
  • Carpenter and Joiner
  • Joiner
  • Cabinet maker

What is an evidence assessment?

An evidence assessment is an assessment of your documentary evidence submitted with your application, eg training certificates / qualifications, resume, employment history. An assessor evaluates this evidence against the Australian qualification requirements to determine if you should proceed to the next stage of the assessment.

What is a competency group?

Australian qualifications are based on units of competency. A unit of competency describes particular aspects of work and knowledge required for the relevant industry. A competency group is a cluster of competencies that have been combined to represent a work activity or task that can be assessed.

How do I find out about the requirements for my trade?

Download a fact sheet from the download forms page. The fact sheet has information about the areas of your trade you will need to demonstrate competence in to receive a positive outcome.

Where will I be assessed?

VETASSESS can assess applicants in any country where there is an approved venue. Go to In country assessment schedule. You can contact VETASSESS for the location of the venues in your country. In some exceptional circumstances VETASSESS may allow other venues to be used. An additional fee may apply. Please contact us to discuss further.

How long does it take?

The assessment is normally completed within 5-7 weeks. This can vary depending on whether a technical interview or in country assessment is conducted.

Will the assessment require English language skills?

Yes. All elements of the assessment will be conducted in English. Applicants will be required to read English and respond to questions in English. For further information about English language requirements for migration, please refer to www.immi.gov.au/skilled/skilled-workers/sbs/.

Can I use an interpreter during the technical interview?

No. English language skills at IELTS 5 as a minimum are a requirement for the temporary worker visa.

Will information I provide be shared with any other organisation?

Information provided by you to VETASSESS may be used for data matching with other Australian Government agencies such as the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, Department of Immigration and Citizenship and the Australian Taxation Office. Any documentation submitted to VETASSESS may be supplied to an Australian Government agency. VETASSESS bases an assessment on evidence supplied by the applicant. If at any stage in the assessment process fabricated, falsified or non-genuine evidence is detected, the assessment will result in a negative outcome. This information may be provided to other Australian Government agencies.

Are the fees refundable?

No refund of any fees will be provided.

How much does a skill assessment for a temporary worker visa cost?

Total payment for a skill assessment for a temporary worker visa (subclass 457 visa) is $1200 for an online application and $1250 for a paper based application. The fee is composed of two processes: AU$600 for online applications and AU$650 for paper based applications; and AUD$600 for a technical interview. An additional fee for an in country assessment will apply.

Total payment for a temporary worker visa in licensed trades is $1500 for an online application and $1550 for a paper based application. The fee is composed of two processes: AU$600 for online applications and AU$650 for paper based applications; and AUD$900 for a technical interview.