Australian Assessing Bodies: Which One is Right for You?

Australian Assessing Bodies: Which One is Right for You?

A skills assessing authority is an organisation that checks that your skills meet the standards they set to work in a relevant occupation. Obtaining a suitable skills assessment is mandatory for some visa subclasses (and streams) and may be requested for others. When applying for an Australian skilled migration visa, a skills assessment is a crucial step to determine if your qualifications and work experience match Australian standards.

Various assessing bodies evaluate different occupations, and choosing the right one is essential for a successful application. This article compares VETASSESS, Engineers Australia (EA), Australian Computer Society (ACS), Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS), and Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML) to help you determine the best fit for your occupation.

Note: There are 40+ assessing bodies in Australia.

1. VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services)

Best for: General professionals across various industries

VETASSESS is the largest and most diverse assessing body in Australia, evaluating over 350 occupations across different industries.

? Occupations Covered: Business, administration, finance, hospitality, trades, marketing, and more.

? Assessment Criteria: Qualification and work experience relevance.

? Processing Time: Around 8- 12 weeks

? Key Considerations:

• Classifies occupations into Groups A-E based on qualification and experience requirements.
• Highly relevant qualifications required for certain occupations.
• Years of Work experience requirements vary depending on your education background.

2. Engineers Australia (EA)

Best for: Engineers

EA assesses engineering-related occupations under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).

? Occupations Covered: All engineering fields

? Assessment Criteria:

• Australian-accredited qualifications or Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) for overseas engineers.
• Minimum professional experience in an engineering-related field.

? Processing Time: Around 10- 12 weeks

? Key Considerations:

• Engineers must demonstrate their competency via the CDR pathway if their qualifications are not accredited.
• Strict adherence to EA guidelines is required to avoid rejection.

3. Australian Computer Society (ACS)

Best for: IT and computing professionals

ACS is responsible for assessing IT-related occupations to determine if applicants meet Australian industry standards.

? Occupations Covered: Software engineer, systems analyst, network administrator, cyber security specialist, etc.

? Assessment Criteria:

• Highly relevant ICT qualifications or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for applicants without formal ICT qualifications.

? Processing Time: Around 8-12 weeks.

? Key Considerations:

• Strict experience and qualification mapping to ACS standards.
• ICT-related roles must meet closely matching ANZSCO requirements.

4. Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)

Best for: Quantity Surveyors

AIQS is the designated assessing body for Quantity Surveyors (ANZSCO 233213) in Australia.

? Occupations Covered: Quantity Surveyor.

? Assessment Criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Quantity Surveying or Construction Management & Economics
• Minimum of 2 years post-qualification work experience.

? Processing Time: Around 8-12 weeks.

? Key Considerations:

• Applicants must have formal qualifications in Quantity Surveying.
• Work experience must be in a highly relevant role.

5. Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML)

Best for: Management professionals in senior managerial roles

IML assesses occupations related to corporate and business leadership roles.

? Occupations Covered: General Manager, Chief Executive Officer, Sales and Marketing Manager, and other management roles.

? Assessment Criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in management, leadership, or a relevant business discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of post-qualification experience in a managerial role.

? Processing Time: Around 8-10 weeks.

? Key Considerations:

• Work experience must be at a decision-making level with leadership responsibilities.
• Must provide evidence of managing teams, budgets, and strategic planning.

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