Positive Skills Assessment: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Success
You want to live and work in Australia, need a visa, or just have your qualifications recognized abroad? A Positive Skills Assessment is one of the most significant obstacles on your journey, but what it is, why you may need one, and most importantly, how to obtain one successfully?
This guide does it all the way back to the basics—no techno-jargon, plain advice to get you in the know about what a Positive Skills Assessment is, how to apply, what documents to bring along, and what to do when your application’s turned down.
What Is a Positive Skills Assessment?
A Positive Skills Assessment is formal verification that your experience, skills, and qualifications are of Australian standard for the job you’re applying for. It’s a prerequisite for the majority of Australian visa subclasses, especially skilled migration visas like subclass 189, 190, or 491.
In a nutshell: it’s a seal of approval that you’re qualified and experienced enough to do an Australian job.
Why Is It So Critical?
Australia utilizes the skills assessment process to provide a way to allow only suitably qualified employees to enter Australia for particular types of work. Immigration authorities employ these assessments in determining whether or not you have the skills required to perform the work you claim experience in.
You cannot proceed with most skilled visa applications if you don’t receive a positive outcome.
Who Needs a Skills Assessment?
You will likely require a skills assessment if:
You’re nominating a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
You’re curious about sponsoring a Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
You’re curious about sponsoring a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
You’re curious about working in Australia as a skilled occupation worker and sponsoring a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) in the Graduate Work stream
Your visa subclass requires that your occupation must be on a skilled occupation list
Guided answer: if you want to work in Australia as a skilled occupation worker, chances are you will need to have your skills assessed.
Who Does the Skills Assessment?
Different assessing bodies test for different occupations. Some of the most common ones are:
Assessing Body / Common Occupations:
ACS (Australian Computer Society) – ICT professionals like software engineers and system analysts
VETASSESS – General professional work of a general nature
TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) – Trade work like electricians, chefs, and mechanics
Engineers Australia – Engineers of all classes
AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership) – Teachers
ANMAC (Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council) – Midwives and nurses
CPA Australia, IPA, CAANZ – Accountants and auditors
Ensure to obtain the correct assessing body for your profession—this is step number one, a definite requirement!
What Is the Process for Getting a Positive Skills Assessment?
Although subtly different with every assessing body, the process is this:
1. Identify Your Occupation
First, locate your profession in the Skilled Occupation List and identify the right ANZSCO code (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations). This will allow you to find the right assessing authority.
2. Verify the Assessment Criteria
Each assessing authority is unique. Go to their official website and verify:
Qualifications required
Work experience required
English language proficiency required
Documents required to lodge
Assessment fees
3. Preparation of Documents
You will generally need to lodge:
Educational qualifications (degrees, diplomas, transcripts)
Evidence of Employment (contracts, payslips, letters of reference)
Resume or CV
ID and passport
English language test results (IELTS, PTE, or equivalent where necessary)
All of which will typically need to be certified, and where non-English, also translated by an NAATI-accredited translator.
4. Submit the Application Online
Most applications are lodged online. Set up an account through the body’s portal, upload your papers, and pay the fee.
5. Wait for the Result
The processing time ranges from weeks to months depending on the authority. You’ll receive either:
A Positive Skills Assessment—congratulations! You can now proceed and lodge your application for your visa.
A Negative Skills Assessment—no worries, no need; we discuss your options below.
How to Improve Your Likelihood of Getting Positive Skills Assessment
The following are tested tips to get a positive outcome the first time:
✅ Be Straight and True
Do not exaggerate your qualification or work history. Your papers will be properly verified by the examiners. Providing fake information can result in being disqualified from applying for the rest of your life.
✅ Give Complete Employment Evidence
Reference letters must be on company letterhead, dated and signed by your manager or HR, and must include:
Job title
Duties and responsibilities
Dates of employment
Number of hours worked per week
Salary
Include payslips, tax receipts, and employment contracts wherever possible.
✅ Adhere to Checklist Closely
Every one of the inspecting authorities provides you with a checklist—use it to the letter. One missing document and you’ll get rejected.
✅ Have All Non-English Documents Translated
Get documents not in English translated by an approved NAATI translator. Official or professional translations will be returned.
What If You Get a Bad Skills Assessment?
Don’t panic—most can have their assessment withdrawn. These are your options:
📝 Request Review or Appeal
Most decision-making authorities give you a chance to appeal or have your case considered again if you believe that there has been an error. You might need to supply more information or check on some things.
🔁 Re-Apply in the Future
You are able to reapply when you have more experience at work or have acquired more qualifications which qualify.
Education consultants or migration agents are able to make a better case for you. Look for MARA-registered agents.
How Long is a Positive Skills Assessment Valid?
Most skills assessments are valid for two to three years, but it can differ from the assessing body. Always double-check your assessing body’s proper website for information.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Filing with incomplete documentation
❌ Not providing required employment evidence requirements
❌ Misuse of unofficial translation
❌ Assuming international experience to be automatically granted
❌ Not mapping your qualifications to the ANZSCO definition
Real-Life Example
For simplicity, let’s consider an example:
Name: Maria
Country: Philippines
Occupation: Registered Nurse
Dream Visa: Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)
Steps Maria Took:
Confirmed “Registered Nurse” is included on the Skilled Occupation List.
Confirmed the assessing authority as ANMAC.
Gathered her nursing diploma, transcripts, and proof of 5 years’ experience of hospital work.
Sat for IELTS and obtained the required scores.
Applied for ANMAC.
Received a Positive Skills Assessment in 8 weeks.
Can now proceed and make an application to submit an EOI (Expression of Interest) and submit an application for her 189 visa.
How Much Does a Skills Assessment Cost?
Various assessing bodies charge different fees and sometimes occupation-specific. Below is an approximate guide:
Assessing Authority Approximate Fees (AUD)
ACS $500 – $600
VETASSESS $600 – $1,000
TRA $1,000+
Engineers Australia $500 – $1,000
ANMAC $515 – $850
Review government websites for up-to-date fees. Include payment processing and exchange currency charges if applying outside Australia.
Do You Need to Do a Positive Skills Assessment to Work in Australia?
If you are applying for a skilled visa—yes, you will have to do a positive skills assessment.
But if you are on a job sponsor visa, a working holiday visa, or a student visa, you might not need a skills assessment. On the other hand, it will depend on the class of job sponsor visa you possess.
Positive Skills Assessment vs. Job Offer: What’s the Difference?
Skills Assessment is to register your qualification with the Australian government.
Job offer is by the employer to employ you.
You may require both—more so if you are looking to apply for an employer-sponsored visa like the subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage visa).
Last Words
A Positive Skills Assessment is one huge leap towards your Australian migration. It is daunting, but with adequate information, documents, and preparation, you’ll get through.
Here’s a brief rundown on the most critical steps:
Determine your occupation and assessing authority
Check requirements and prepare documents
Submit application
Wait for the outcome
Make the best of your favorable outcome to continue with your visa
Remember, numerous individuals have come this far and made it—you can too!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ Is skills assessment equal to recognition of prior learning (RPL)?
No, not exactly. RPL forms part of some skills assessments, especially for an IT or trade specialist, where you prove competence based on work experience, and not qualifications.
❓ Are there numerous occupations which I can apply for?
Yes, but regardless of the applicable assessing authority’s requirements.
❓ Do I possess more than one qualification?
List them all which are applicable. The highest ranked or closest to the ANZSCO occupation must be ascertained.
❓ Do I need work experience?
A minimum of 1–3 years relevant experience is demanded by most assessing bodies, especially for skilled migration.
Need Help?
Lost or unsure? You may think about seeking the services of a MARA-registered migration agent. They will assist you each step along the way and ensure your application is robust and thorough.
Moving to Australia? Start with Your Skills Assessment
You are a nurse, mechanic, IT specialist, engineer, or teacher; your Australian immigration process starts with proving your skills. With a Positive Skills Assessment, the door to your chosen career and Australian lifestyle swings wide open.
Make sure that your credentials are matched, meet all the requirements, and begin your assessment today!
