Qualification assessment
Overseas qualifications assessed for Australian equivalence. Bachelor, Masters, PhD mapped to AQF levels. Diploma and vocational qualifications also assessed.
Professional Occupations · Points Review · Evidence Depth
VETASSESS assesses the broadest range of occupations.
Most non-IT professional roles, a range of trade and technical roles, and specialised positions from chef to cultural adviser. VETASSESS outcomes set your points score, your occupation match, and your migration pathway. Strong applications are paperwork-heavy and evidence-dense; weak ones are easy to spot and easy to refuse.
What VETASSESS assesses
Two assessment elements.
VETASSESS assesses qualifications AND skilled employment separately. Both matter for points.
Skilled employment assessment
Work experience assessed against ANZSCO duties for the nominated occupation. Each claimed year reviewed for closeness to the code.
Points test advisory
VETASSESS provides a points test advisory assessment. Identifies which years of employment count for points.
Critical job match
The employment must be genuinely skilled and closely match the nominated ANZSCO code. Managerial duties without the hands-on technical duties often fail.
Evidence depth
VETASSESS is evidence-heavy.
VETASSESS applications require more documentary evidence than most assessing authorities.
Detailed reference lettersEach employment reference needs duties, hours, dates, salary, and supervisor details. Generic letters are a common cause of weak outcomes.
Pay evidence and tax recordsPayslips, tax records, superannuation statements. Independent verification of claimed employment.
Qualifications documentationTranscripts, certificates, course syllabus (sometimes requested). Original and certified copies.
CV and organisational chartCV and sometimes organisational chart showing role within the employer. Context for the claimed skilled work.
Common issues
Three frequent problem areas.
VETASSESS outcomes often turn on issues applicants did not anticipate.
Duties not matching ANZSCO
Reference letters describing duties that do not match the ANZSCO code closely. Rewriting references with duties-mapped language is often the fix.
Qualification below AQF requirement
Overseas qualifications assessed as below Bachelor equivalent where a Bachelor is required for the occupation. Additional qualification or alternative occupation pathway.
Career history gaps
Unexplained gaps in employment raise questions. Disclose and explain gaps in the application.
VETASSESS outcomes can determine both your occupation and your points.
A points test advisory assessment can differ from the applicant's own calculation. Years claimed as skilled may be assessed as not closely related, not counted. Understanding how VETASSESS evaluates employment before lodgement matters significantly for points planning.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For VETASSESS applications, book with Gurjeev Bhalla or Sourabh Aggarwal.
How long does VETASSESS take?
Typically 10-14 weeks for standard applications. Priority assessment available for some occupations at additional cost.
Can I appeal a VETASSESS outcome?
Yes. VETASSESS has internal review. Further review may also be available. Fresh application with new evidence sometimes viable.
Does my VETASSESS outcome affect my points?
Yes. The points test advisory assessment identifies which years count. This can differ from the applicant self-calculation. See points guide.
What if my qualification is not recognised?
Options include gap training, alternative ANZSCO code with lower qualification requirement, or employer-sponsored pathway where qualification requirements differ.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.