Short answer: a skills assessment is a formal check, by an authority the Minister specifies, that your qualifications and work experience suit your nominated occupation. Each occupation has its own relevant assessing authority, set out in a legislative instrument. A positive skills assessment is not a visa: it is one criterion among many.
What a skills assessment is
The Migration Regulations let the Minister specify, by legislative instrument, a person or body as the relevant assessing authority for an occupation (Migration Regulations 1994, reg 2.26B(1), vol 1 p 165, compilation No. 289, 2 October 2026). An authority can only be specified once it has been approved for that occupation (reg 2.26B(1A)–(1B)).
For the 189, 190, 491 and 485, the instrument is LIN 19/051 (compilation No. 5, 28 March 2026). Its occupation tables name the assessing authority for each occupation (LIN 19/051, s 10AA, p 33 onwards).
Which visas need one
| Visa | When the skills assessment is tested | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (189), Points-tested stream | At the time of invitation | Regs Sch 2 cl 189.222 |
| Skilled Nominated (190) | At the time of invitation | cl 190.212 |
| Skilled Work Regional (491) | At the time of invitation | cl 491.214 |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (186), Direct Entry stream | At the time of application, unless you are in an exempt class | cl 186.234 |
| Skills in Demand (482) | Only for occupations and passport holders listed in the mandatory skills assessment instrument | IMMI 18/039, ss 5–6 |
For the 189, 190 and 491, an assessment made for a Subclass 485 visa does not count (cl 189.222(1)(b), 190.212(1)(b), 491.214(1)(b)). If your assessment was based on a qualification gained in Australia on a student visa, the qualification must come from a registered course (cl 190.212(2), 491.214(2)).
Main assessing authorities and the occupations they cover
The list below gives examples only. Always check your exact occupation in LIN 19/051 (or the 186 or 482 instrument), because some occupations have more than one authority or special rules.
| Authority (full name) | Examples of occupations in LIN 19/051 |
|---|---|
| VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services) | Many professional and managerial occupations, for example property manager and real estate representative |
| TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) | Trade occupations, for example motor mechanic (general), automotive electrician, electrical engineering technician |
| ACS (Australian Computer Society) | ICT occupations, for example software engineer, developer programmer, ICT business analyst |
| Engineers Australia (The Institution of Engineers Australia) | Engineering occupations, for example civil, structural and chemical engineer |
| ANMAC (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council) | Nursing and midwifery, for example registered nurse (aged care), midwife |
| AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership) | School teaching, for example secondary school teacher, primary school teacher |
| ACECQA (Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority) | Early childhood (pre-primary school) teacher |
| AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers) | Social worker |
| CPA Australia, CA ANZ or IPA | Accounting, for example accountant (general) (CPAA, CAANZ or IPA) and management accountant (CPAA, IPA or CAANZ) |
Source: LIN 19/051, s 10AA occupation tables (pp 33–56) and s 11 list of authority names (pp 56–57).
TRA programs in plain words
Trades Recognition Australia runs several programs. Which one you use depends on your occupation, passport, where you studied and the visa you are seeking (TRA, Our programs page, read 29 October 2026). TRA lists, among others:
- Offshore Skills Assessment Program: for applicants for a skilled migration visa (excluding the 485 or TSS), or who choose a skills assessment.
- Migration Skills Assessment Program: for eligible applicants with trade skills seeking permanent migration.
- Temporary Skills Shortage Skills Assessment Program: for certain applicants for an employer-sponsored temporary visa, depending on occupation and passport.
- Provisional Skills Assessment and Job Ready Program: for eligible international graduates in Australia with an Australian trade or associate professional qualification. TRA states the PSA must be completed before the JRP.
- Migration Points Advice Program: which the Department may require to decide points for certain applicants.
What TRA asks for, including any English evidence, differs by program. Read the program page on the TRA website before you apply.
How long a skills assessment lasts
For the 189, 190 and 491, the assessment must still be valid at the time of invitation. If it states a validity period of 3 years or less, that period must not have ended. Otherwise, not more than 3 years can have passed since the date of the assessment (cl 189.222(1)(c)–(d), 190.212(1)(c)–(d), 491.214(1)(c)–(d)). The 186 Direct Entry stream applies the same test at the time of application (cl 186.234(2)(ab)–(ac)).
If your assessment is close to expiry while you wait in SkillSelect, plan a new one early. See our EOI guide.
Skilled employment and points
Points for skilled employment are worked out under the points test, which is separate from the skills assessment. Points values are covered in our points test guide.
Where to go next
Frequently asked questions
Is a positive skills assessment a visa?
No. It shows an authority found your skills suitable for an occupation. You still need to meet every visa criterion, and for the 189, 190 and 491 you need an invitation first.
Which authority assesses my occupation?
The one named for your occupation in the relevant instrument: LIN 19/051 for the 189, 190, 491 and 485. Some occupations list more than one authority.
How long is a skills assessment valid for a 189, 190 or 491?
Up to 3 years from the date of the assessment, or a shorter period if the assessment states one (cl 190.212(1)(c)–(d)).
Can I use a skills assessment I got for a 485 visa?
Not for the 189, 190 or 491. The Regulations exclude an assessment made for a Subclass 485 visa (cl 190.212(1)(b)).
Does every 482 applicant need a skills assessment?
No. The mandatory requirement applies only to the occupations and passport holders listed in IMMI 18/039. Check the instrument for your occupation and passport.
Talk to us before you apply
A skills assessment for the wrong occupation can cost months. Book a skilled visa assessment and we will match your history to the right occupation and authority.
Reviewed by Dr Asad Muhammad Khan, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 2619525. Last reviewed: 29 October 2026.
Figures current as at 29 October 2026 (LIN 19/051 compilation No. 5, 28 March 2026; IMMI 18/039 compilation No. 2, 14 December 2024; Migration Regulations 1994 compilation No. 289, 2 October 2026; TRA website read 29 October 2026); confirm with the Department of Home Affairs before lodgement.
This article is general information only and is not migration advice for your circumstances. Speak to a registered migration agent before you act.
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