VETASSESS Skills Assessment for Skilled Migration
Is Your Profession on the VETASSESS List? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
What Is VETASSESS?
When skilled professionals from around the world set their sights on Australia, they quickly discover one name standing between their qualifications and a visa application: VETASSESS. Short for Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services, VETASSESS is Australia’s largest and most wide-reaching skills assessing authority — the body responsible for confirming that your overseas education and professional experience genuinely measure up to Australian workplace standards.
VETASSESS assesses over 341 professional occupations and more than 25 trade skills, making it the go-to authority for non-technical professionals across dozens of industries — from marketing and social work to agricultural science and the arts. Thinkhigher
Why You Need a VETASSESS Assessment
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs does not take your word for it when it comes to professional credentials. Before you can lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, a positive skills assessment from a recognised authority is mandatory.
VETASSESS assessments open pathways to several skilled migration visas in Australia, including:
- Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent (points-tested, no sponsorship)
- Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated (state or territory sponsored)
- Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (provisional)
- Subclass 482 – Temporary Skills Shortage (employer-sponsored)
Without a favourable outcome, your migration journey stalls before it begins.
How the Assessment Works
VETASSESS classifies its general professional occupations into Groups A through F, each with different educational and employment criteria based on the indicative skill level defined in the ANZSCO catalogue. Australia Migration & Visa Services
In practical terms, most applicants fall under one of two scenarios:
Group A requires a bachelor’s degree or higher in a field directly relevant to the nominated occupation, plus at least one year of post-qualification employment in that same field within the past five years.
Group B allows greater flexibility — applicants whose degree is not a direct match may still qualify if they can demonstrate a longer track record of relevant employment, typically two or more years in close alignment with the nominated role.
What Documents Do You Need?
- Certified academic transcripts and degree certificates
- Detailed employment reference letters (role title, duties, dates, hours)
- A valid passport copy
- English translations of all non-English documents
- Completed VETASSESS online application and payment
Processing times generally run between eight and twelve weeks, though a priority service is available for an additional fee.
Tips for a Successful Outcome
- Choose the correct ANZSCO code — a wrong nomination is the single biggest reason for negative assessments
- Employment letters must be on official company letterhead and describe specific duties, not just job titles
- Make sure your degree’s field of study overlaps clearly with your nominated occupation
- Recent experience matters more than old experience — assessors focus heavily on the past five years
Occupations VETASSESS Assesses
VETASSESS covers a broad sweep of professional and trade roles. Below is a representative list across key industries:
Management & Business
| ANZSCO Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 132111 | Corporate Services Manager |
| 149212 | Customer Service Manager |
| 224111 | Actuary |
| 224211 | Management Consultant |
| 224212 | Organisation and Methods Analyst |
| 221214 | Internal Auditor |
| 149913 | Facilities Manager |
Marketing, PR & Communications
| ANZSCO Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 225111 | Advertising Specialist |
| 225112 | Market Research Analyst |
| 225113 | Marketing Specialist |
| 225311 | Public Relations Professional |
| 212411 | Journalist |
| 212412 | Newspaper or Periodical Editor |
Science & Environment
| ANZSCO Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 234111 | Agricultural Consultant |
| 234112 | Agricultural Scientist |
| 234513 | Biochemist |
| 234514 | Biotechnologist |
| 234515 | Botanist |
| 234411 | Geologist |
| 234412 | Geophysicist |
| 234413 | Hydrogeologist |
| 234212 | Food Technologist |
| 234113 | Forester / Forest Scientist |
| 234611 | Environmental Consultant |
| 234612 | Environmental Research Scientist |
Health & Allied Health
| ANZSCO Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 252711 | Audiologist |
| 252211 | Acupuncturist |
| 252212 | Homoeopath |
| 251512 | Industrial Pharmacist |
| 251911 | Health Promotion Officer |
| 251999 | Health Diagnostic & Promotion Professionals (nec) |
Education & Social Services
| ANZSCO Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 272111 | Careers Counsellor |
| 272412 | Social Worker |
| 272311 | Welfare Centre Manager |
| 249111 | Education Adviser |
| 249211 | School Principal |
Arts, Culture & Humanities
| ANZSCO Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 212111 | Artistic Director |
| 272414 | Archaeologist |
| 272411 | Historian |
| 212311 | Film and Video Editor |
| 212312 | Program Director (Television or Radio) |
Legal & Policy
| ANZSCO Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 271214 | Intellectual Property Lawyer |
| 224999 | Information and Organisation Professionals (nec) |
Trades (Selected)
| ANZSCO Code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 334111 | Plumber |
| 341111 | Electrician (General) |
| 331212 | Carpenter |
| 351311 | Chef |
| 391111 | Hairdresser |
| 321211 | Motor Mechanic (General) |