Getting a Positive Skills Assessment

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Getting a Positive Skills Assessment

Skills Recognition

To migrate to Australia as a skilled migrant under the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) General Skilled Migration Program you will need to obtain a positive skills assessment.

The 'Skilled' program is specifically designed to target migrants who have skills or outstanding abilities that will contribute to the Australian economy.

General Skilled Migration Program

If you want to apply to live permanently in Australia under one of the General Skilled Migration visa categories, you must:

Be under 45 years of age at the time you apply (unless you have been invited to apply for a General Skilled Migration visa)
Have your occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List
Have your skills assessed as being suitable for this occupation (in Australia organisations known as nominated assessing authorities carry out this role)
Have a high level of English
Have recent skilled work experience or have recently completed an Australian qualification as the result of two years full-time study in Australia, or be an eligible Occupational Trainee or Working Holiday visa holder

If you do not meet all of the above requirements, you should not apply for a General Skilled Migration visa. There may be other skilled visa options that better suit you.

Skills assessment

To apply for a General Skilled Migration visa you must nominate an occupation that is on the Skilled Occupation List at the time you apply.

Please note that there are limited opportunities for teachers and computer professionals. Further information is available on our website.

This document lists all eligible occupations for General Skilled Migration, the number of points awarded for each occupation and is available from DIAC's website.

However, if your nominated occupation is Medical Practitioner, specific information on skills assessments for this profession is also available.

Each assessing authority has its own assessment procedures, timeframes and charges. You are strongly advised to contact the appropriate organisation well before you intend to lodge your visa application.

Some of DIMIA's key assessing authorities include:

Trades Recognition Australia

This organisation is the nominated assessment authority for a range of trade and associate professional occupations for skilled migration purposes.

Examples include:

Chef ASCO code 3322-11 60 points

Carpenter and Joiner ASCO code 4411-11 60 points

General Plumber ASCO code 4431-11 60 points

Hairdresser ASCO code 4931-11 60 points

For more information please visit www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Individual/Migrant/TradesRecognitionAustralia.htm

Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services

This organisation provides a range of assessments for those applying to migrate to Australia under DIAC's General Skilled Migration Program and the Employer Nomination Scheme.

Examples include:

Occupational Health and Safety Officer ASCO code 2543-11 50 points

Geologist ASCO code 2112-11 50 points

Urban and Regional Planner ASCO code 2523-11 50 points

For more information:
http://www.vetassess.com.au/index.cfm?menu=4.1

National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition

Australian Education International, through the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR), provides official information and advice on the comparability of overseas qualifications with Australian qualifications. This information and assistance is designed to help overseas qualified people work and study in Australia.

NOOSR is also the relevant assessing authority for teachers who wish to migrate under the General Skilled Migration program. For more information:

http://aei.dest.gov.au/AEI/QualificationsRecognition/Default.htm

Other Professional Bodies include:

Institution of Engineers Australia (IEAust)
Website: www.ieaust.org.au

Australian Computer Society (ACS)
www.acs.org.au

Certified Practising Accountants of Australia (CPAA)
www.cpaaaustralia.com.au

Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia (IACC)
www.icaa.org.au

Australia Nursing and Midwifery Council (ANMC)
www.anmc.org.au

Australian Institute of Management (AIM)
www.aim.com.au

Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors
www.aiqs.com.au

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)
www.casa.gov.au

Documents that you will be required to submit to obtain a positive skills assessment:

Most assessing authorities require:

Completion of an application form (usually available from their web site)
Certified (and in most cases translated if the original is not in English) copies of:
- Qualifications
- Transcripts showing what you studied
- A resume
- Proof of registration / completion of an apprenticeship (if one was completed) where this is relevant to your occupation (usually trades and professions)
- References from employers detailing specific duties and levels of responsibility
You should find out exactly what is required from the assessing authority responsible for your particular occupation.

If you are unable to provide specific documents a statutory declaration signed by you and a Justice of the Peace or equivalent may be acceptable.