VETASSESS assesses the largest range of occupations of any Australian authority — 360+ professional and general roles. Here's how it judges your qualifications and employment, what it costs, and how to prepare.
VETASSESS is the assessing authority for a broad span of professional, managerial, technical and general occupations — and a number of trades. It checks two things: that your qualification compares to the right level on the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), and that your employment is relevant to your nominated occupation and at the required skill level.
A positive VETASSESS outcome lets you claim your occupation for a points-tested visa such as the 189, 190 or 491, and it confirms which of your employment counts towards your points score.
Official information: see VETASSESS — skills assessment for professional occupations and Check my occupation.
Book a consultation to confirm your occupation group, the evidence VETASSESS expects, and whether priority processing is worth it.
Every VETASSESS occupation sits in an assessment group. The group sets how much your qualification field must match and how much relevant employment you need.
In broad terms, your assessment looks at:
If your degree isn't highly relevant, additional years of highly relevant employment can compensate — the exact rule depends on your group. We identify your group first so the evidence you gather is the evidence that counts.
If your occupation is assessed by another authority but you still need employment verified for extra points, VETASSESS offers Points Test Advice — a lower-cost service focused on confirming relevant skilled employment.
AUD $342.10 (within Australia) / $311.00 (outside Australia).
Application fees include GST if you're an Australian resident for tax purposes.
| Service | Within Australia (incl. GST) | Outside Australia (excl. GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Full Skills Assessment (online) | $1,205.60 | $1,096.00 |
| Priority Processing add-on | +$907.50 | +$825.00 |
| Points Test Advice only | $342.10 | $311.00 |
| Renewal (within 3 years) | $520.30 | $473.00 |
Withdrawal before assessment begins is refunded less an admin fee of AUD $171. Trade occupations are assessed via VETASSESS but fees are paid to Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). Fees rise periodically with inflation — confirm current amounts on the VETASSESS fees page.
A small sample of the 360+ professional and general occupations VETASSESS assesses.
Confirm your exact occupation and that VETASSESS is the authority with our ANZSCO occupation search or VETASSESS's Check my occupation tool.
VETASSESS weighs both qualification and employment evidence. We confirm exactly what your group needs.
"Highly relevant" is the phrase that matters — duties, not just job titles, decide the outcome. We draft reference letters to VETASSESS criteria.
VETASSESS assesses a wide range of professional and general occupations — over 360 in total — plus a number of trades. Examples include Marketing Specialist, Management Consultant, Production Manager and many managerial, technical and creative roles. Each occupation sits in an assessment group (A to F) that sets its requirements.
A full skills assessment for a professional occupation is AUD $1,205.60 from within Australia (incl. GST) or AUD $1,096.00 if you're not an Australian tax resident (excl. GST). Priority processing is an additional $907.50 / $825.00, and Points Test Advice only is $342.10 / $311.00.
It's a VETASSESS service for applicants whose occupation is assessed by another authority but who need employment verified for additional points. It's cheaper than a full assessment and focuses on confirming relevant skilled employment.
It compares your qualifications against the AQF and assesses whether your employment is relevant to your occupation and at the required skill level. Both must meet the criteria for your occupation's group.
Generally three years. A renewal can be lodged within three years for a reduced fee; outside that window a new full assessment is required.
The general rules are above. These next calls decide your outcome — and they need your documents to answer. Guess wrong and it can cost months and fees:
Last reviewed: June 2026 — authority rules and fees change; we confirm the current position for your case.
An applicant nominated an occupation on job title alone; the duties in the reference letters didn't show the required skill level, and the result came back unsuitable. Re-scoping the occupation and writing duties to the criteria changes that outcome.
Illustrative only; outcomes depend on your individual circumstances.
Book a confidential consultation with a registered migration agent. We'll pinpoint your occupation group, the employment that counts, and whether priority processing makes sense for your timeline.