During our recent webinar, we received a wide range of questions from migration agents and applicants seeking further clarity on assessment requirements.
Our experts have addressed the questions below during the Q&A segment to help guide you through the skills assessment process with greater confidence.
1. Can self-employed applicants (working on ABN) receive a positive skills assessment?
Self-employment arrangements, including those operating under an ABN, do not preclude applicants from receiving a “suitable” outcome.
Applications are assessed based on:
- alignment of duties with the nominated occupation, and;
- availability of verifiable supporting evidence.
Where these criteria are met, employment can be considered “suitable”.
2. Does Pathway 4 require a total of six years of employment?
For Professional Occupations, Pathway 4 (pre-qualification pathway) requirements may differ between occupations and occupation groups.
For some Professional Occupations, Pathway 4 requires applicants to demonstrate:
- a total of six (6) years of employment at an appropriate skill level, of which, one (1) year of highly relevant employment has to take place within the last five years of the date of applying.
Each Professional Occupation group provides one or more pathways to meet the criteria for a suitable assessment outcome, and not all occupations include a pre-qualification pathway. Applicants should refer to their specific occupation page and information sheet to confirm the pathways and requirements applicable to their occupation.
For more information about Professional Occupations and the assessment pathways available for your occupation, please visit the Professional Occupations Skills Assessment page.
3. If a qualification is not directly related to the occupation, should it still be included in the application?
The choice is left to the applicant. However, it is recommended that they include most, if not, all of their qualifications in the assessments to stand a better chance of having a qualification assessed suitably against the requirements.
4. How are “not elsewhere classified (nec)” occupations assessed?
“nec” occupations are not intended as catch-all categories.
For an employment to be assessed as highly relevant:
- the role must not align more closely with another ANZSCO-listed occupation, and;
- the duties must still align with the expected activities of the relevant unit or minor group.
This ensures consistency with ANZSCO classification principles.
5. Do Organisation and Methods Analysts need to work independently?
Independence is not a requirement for Organisation and Methods Analysts.
These roles may:
- sit within an organisation, and;
- focus on analysing and improving systems, processes, and organisational structures.
6. Can management consultants be internal employees?
Management consultants may be employed within an organisation, provided the role demonstrates:
- independence from routine operational functions, and;
- a clear focus on strategic advisory activities.
7. Can compliance or risk roles be assessed as “suitable” under the occupation of Information Organisation Professionals (NEC)?
Professional-level roles in risk, compliance, or internal control can be considered under this occupation, where they:
- involve analytical, advisory, or information management responsibilities, and;
- are not more appropriately classified under another ANZSCO occupation.
8. Does salary affect the outcome of a skills assessment?
Salary is not a determining factor in assessment outcomes.
However, it may be reviewed as an indicator of:
- skill level, and;
- seniority of the role.
In cases where salary appears inconsistent with the claimed role, additional information may be requested.
9. When does relevant employment begin to count for assessment purposes?
The period of employment that is assessed for relevance in the Skilled Migration Assessment (not Points Test) component of the skills assessment is either:
- the last five (5) years from the date of applying for an assessment, if the applicant’s earliest qualification that meets the requirements was completed prior to the five (5) years, or;
- from the completion/award date of the qualification to the date of applying for an assessment, if the earliest qualification that meets the requirements is completed within the last five (5) years.
The only exception to this is Pathway 4, which is subject to specific occupation requirements.