menu
  1. Home
  2. Skills Assessment for Migration
  3. Trade Occupations
  4. Assessment Process

Assessment Process

Your assessment process (either Pathway 1 or Pathway 2) depends on whether you have or don’t have an accepted Australian qualification or current Australian occupational licence.

Pathway 1 - You don't have an Australian qualification or occupational licence

If you are eligible for a Trade Skills Assessment and are confident you have the skills and knowledge outlined in the Fact Sheet for your occupation, you can apply and pay for Stage 1 of your assessment online.

You then need to provide evidence of your employment, skills and knowledge. Your evidence must show you have at least 4 years' experience in your occupation at the skill level required. This 4 year period may include time spent in workplace-based training. Your evidence must show you have worked in your occupation for at least 6 months within the last 3 years and must be able to be verified.

An assessor will review the evidence you provide to check you have sufficient employment experience and the skills and knowledge required to work in your occupation in Australia.

When reviewing your evidence, the assessor will conduct checks including calling your referees to confirm your evidence is genuine. Therefore you must make sure you provide us with current contact details.

If you have provided sufficient, appropriate evidence, you will be asked to pay the Stage 2 fee and complete a Practical Assessment or a Technical Interview.

In a Practical Assessment, you will complete a series of tasks while being watched by an assessor.

In a Technical Interview, an assessor will ask you a range of questions about the skills and knowledge required to work in your occupation.

All assessments are held in English and no interpreter is allowed.

Note: If you are applying for a licensed occupation (Electrician, Plumber or Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic), then you MUST complete a Practical Assessment. For other occupations, you can choose between a Practical Assessment or a Technical Interview.

If your Trade Skills Assessment is successful, you will receive:

  • a Successful Assessment Outcome letter
  • an Australian Certificate III or IV qualification and Statement of Results (non-licensed occupations only)
  • an Offshore Technical Skills Record (licensed occupations only).

If your Trade Skills Assessment is unsuccessful, you will receive:

  • an Unsuccessful Assessment Outcome letter
  • a Statement of Results and Statement of Attainment (non-licensed occupations only).

Pathway 2 - You do have an Australian qualification or occupational licence

If you are eligible for a Pathway 2 Trade Skills Assessment, you can apply and pay for Stage 1 of your assessment online.

You must provide:

  • a copy of your Australian qualification (including a Statement of Results) OR your current Australian occupational licence. (Refer to Frequently Asked Questions on this page to see what qualifications and licences are accepted.)
  • evidence you have worked in paid employment in your occupation for at least 3 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) at the skill level required. This evidence can include taxation records, annual payment summaries, group certificates, payslips and/or bank statements.
  • evidence you have worked full-time in your occupation for 12 months in the last 3 years. For applicants applying with a current Australian occupational licence, this 12 months employment must be in Australia.

An assessor will review the evidence you provide to check you have sufficient employment experience and your Australian qualification or occupational licence meets the Pathway 2 requirements.

When reviewing your evidence, the assessor will conduct checks including calling your referees to confirm your evidence is genuine. Therefore you must make sure you provide us with current contact details.

If you have provided sufficient, appropriate evidence, you will be asked to pay the Stage 2 fee and complete a Technical Interview.

In the Technical Interview, an assessor will ask you a range of questions about the skills and knowledge required to work in your occupation.

All assessments are held in English and no interpreter is allowed.

If your Pathway 2 Assessment is successful, you will receive:

  • a Successful Assessment Outcome Letter.

If your Pathway 2 Assessment is unsuccessful, you will receive:

  • an Unsuccessful Assessment Outcome Letter.

FAQs

Please refer to the Pathway 2 Candidate Guide (327KB pdf) for a list of accepted Australian qualifications for each occupation assessed by VETASSESS.

You must provide one of the accepted qualifications listed for the occupation you are applying for. If you do not provide an accepted qualification (or if you provide a qualification listed for an occupation different to the occupation you are applying for), you will receive a negative outcome and no refund will apply.

If you are currently licenced or registered to work as an electrician, plumber or refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanic in Australia, you may be eligible to apply to be assessed under Pathway 2.