Why the assessing authority matters
A skills assessment is the gateway to Australian skilled migration. Before you can claim points for your occupation or lodge a General Skilled Migration visa, an authorised body must confirm that your qualifications and experience genuinely meet the Australian standard for that occupation. The catch is that each occupation is tied to a specific authority, and they each have their own rules, fees and timelines. Applying to the wrong one - or misreading their requirements - is one of the most common and costly early mistakes. This finder removes that guesswork by mapping your occupation to its correct assessing authority.
Matching occupation to authority
Australia classifies jobs using ANZSCO codes, and the skilled occupation lists pair each code with an assessing authority. ICT and computing roles usually go to ACS, engineers to Engineers Australia, nurses and midwives to ANMAC, accountants to CPA Australia or CA ANZ, teachers to AITSL, and a broad range of professional, technical and trade occupations to VETASSESS or Trades Recognition Australia. Because the same job title can map to different ANZSCO codes, the finder helps you confirm the occupation that best matches your duties and then shows the authority responsible for it.
What each assessment involves
Each authority assesses slightly differently. Some focus on whether your degree is comparable to an Australian qualification and is closely related to your occupation; others weigh your years of relevant employment, sometimes deducting early years that are treated as the qualifying period. Trade occupations often require a technical interview or practical demonstration. Fees and processing times vary considerably, so once the finder identifies your authority, read its specific checklist before gathering documents.
How to get a strong, fast result
Prepare thoroughly before you apply. Gather certified copies of your degrees and transcripts, detailed reference letters that describe duties matching the ANZSCO description, and evidence of paid employment such as payslips and tax records. Make sure your qualification is recognised and clearly relevant to the nominated occupation, as a mismatch is the leading cause of negative outcomes. Apply to the assessment early, because it can take months and your Expression of Interest cannot be invited without it. Once you have a positive result, move straight to estimating your points and lodging your EOI so no time is lost.
This finder is a guide to point you to the right authority. The assessing bodies and occupation lists are controlled by the Department of Home Affairs and change periodically, so confirm the current authority and requirements for your occupation on the official sites before you apply.