Skills assessment: match the occupation, purpose and invitation date
A suitable skills assessment is a core requirement for the main points-tested 189, 190 and 491 pathways. “Positive” is not enough by itself: the assessment must be for the nominated occupation, suitable for the migration pathway and valid at the relevant time.
Key points
- Use the assessing authority shown against the exact occupation on the Home Affairs combined list.
- Choose a migration assessment suitable for the intended points-tested visa, not merely any positive or provisional outcome.
- Arrange the assessment well before EOI and invitation; verify both the authority's expiry and Home Affairs validity rule.
- A skills assessment does not itself guarantee employment points, nomination, invitation or visa grant.
Step 1: identify the exact occupation
Record the occupation name, ANZSCO code, relevant version, intended visa stream and assessing authority from the current Home Affairs list. Then compare the actual duties, qualifications and employment history with the authority's criteria. A job title alone cannot establish the match.
Step 2: choose the correct assessment service
Some authorities offer multiple assessment types—for graduate visas, professional recognition, licensing, employer-sponsored pathways or permanent migration. The points-tested visa needs a suitable migration assessment. Read the service description and outcome wording before paying, and ask the authority if the purpose remains unclear.
Step 3: build document consistency
Requirements vary, but a file may need:
- identity and name-change records;
- degree, award and complete academic transcript;
- employment references describing dates, hours, duties and signatory details;
- independent pay, tax, pension or bank evidence;
- registration, licensing, portfolio or project material for particular professions;
- certified translations and authority-specific colour-scan or certification rules.
Resolve conflicting dates and titles before submission. Do not ask an employer to reproduce migration wording that does not reflect the real work.
Validity and timing
Home Affairs encourages applicants to arrange assessments well before the EOI. For the points-tested visa pages, validity is generally tied to the invitation date. If no validity period is shown, Home Affairs describes a three-year period; if the authority states a shorter period, that shorter period applies; a stated period longer than three years is generally capped at three for this purpose. Always check the current visa page and letter.
Skills assessment versus employment points
An authority may identify a date from which employment is considered skilled, exclude employment used to satisfy a qualification-equivalence requirement or assess only certain periods. Home Affairs makes the visa points decision. Map each employment claim to references and payment evidence, and obtain advice where the authority outcome and points claim do not align.
After the outcome
- Check the occupation, outcome type, issue date and expiry wording.
- Read any excluded employment periods or conditions.
- Update the EOI only with claims the outcome and other evidence support.
- Retain the application, uploaded evidence, correspondence and outcome letter.
- Monitor validity while waiting for invitation and reassessment timelines if needed.
Next, use the EOI evidence guide to connect the outcome with the points claims.
Official sources to check before acting
These pages control over any summary on this website. Recheck them when you submit an EOI, accept a nomination or lodge a visa application.
Important Notice: The content on this page is for general information only. Australian visa policies and requirements are subject to change at any time. Always refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website for the most current and accurate information.