VETASSESS Occupation Categories: General vs. Trade Occupations
VETASSESS is Australia's largest skills assessment authority, evaluating qualifications and work experience for skilled migration across 350+ occupations. It classifies occupations into General Professional Occupations and Trade Occupations, each with different assessment requirements. Understanding these categories is crucial for a smooth and successful skills assessment.
1?? General Professional Occupations:
This category includes professions that require formal education and specialized skills.
?? Examples of General Occupations:
?? Chemist
?? Medical Laboratory Scientist
?? Graphic Designer
?? Management Consultant
?? University Lecturer
?? Café or Restaurant Manager
? Key Requirements:
?? Qualifications: A recognized degree, diploma, or certificate relevant to the occupation.
?? Work Experience: At least one year of post-qualification experience (some occupations require more).
?? Employment Evidence: Payslips, reference letters, tax records, and bank statements to verify work experience.
?? Skills Assessment Process: A document-based assessment evaluating qualifications and employment history.
?? Don’t have a relevant academic qualification? You may be able to compensate with additional years of experience.
? Processing Time:
?? Standard: 10-12 weeks
? Priority processing: 1-2 weeks
Note: Priority processing is available for urgent situations like visa emergency. But you can get assessed in priority without any visa urgency, if any slot is available.
2?? Trade Occupations
This category applies to hands-on professions such as
??Electricians
??Plumbers
??Chefs
??Carpenters.
? Key Requirements:
?? Qualifications & Training: A trade qualification or apprenticeship equivalent to an Australian Certificate III or higher.
?? Work Experience: At least three years of full-time work (or part-time equivalent), with 12 months of recent experience in the trade.
?? Practical Assessment: Many trade occupations require a Technical Interview or a Practical Skills Assessment to demonstrate hands-on abilities.
?? Employment Proof: Work statements, tax records, payslips, and photographs of completed work, video proofs of you working, etc. are required.
?? Don’t have a formal trade qualification? You may be able to compensate with additional years of experience.
? Processing Time:
?? 12-16 weeks, depending on the complexity of the assessment.
?? Why Choosing the Right Category Matters
Selecting the correct occupation category ensures a smooth assessment process. Mistakes in categorization can lead to delays, rejection, or the need for reassessment.
?? Tip: Before lodging your application, check VETASSESS’s official website or send a DM for a free consultation to confirm your occupation’s category.
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