Skills assessments for Australian graduates

1. Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA): checks your Australian qualification against your nominated trade. Needed for the 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream. Fee $130; about 12 weeks; valid 3 years.
2. Job Ready Employment: at least 12 months of full-time (or equivalent) work with a TRA-approved employer in your trade, while on a visa that lets you work (usually the 485). Fee $490.
3. Job Ready Workplace Assessment: an assessor observes your work and interviews you at your workplace. Fee $2,845.
4. Job Ready Final Assessment: confirms you completed the program. Fee $75. This outcome is the skills assessment you use for a PR visa.

Electrician (General and Special Class), Plumber (General) and Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic can't use the Job Ready Program. Use TRA's Pathfinder to find their pathway.

Source: tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au · tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au, checked 15 October 2026.

1. Diploma or associate degree with an ICT major: 'Qualification Only' pathway, used for the 485 Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
2. Australian Bachelor degree or higher with an ICT major: 'Post Australian Study' pathway, which needs at least 1 year (365 days) of relevant Australian IT work, or the completed ACS Professional Year.
3. ACS can only assess completed qualifications.

A Bachelor or Masters alone isn't enough for a positive assessment: plan a year of relevant IT work or the Professional Year during your 485.

Source: acs.org.au, checked 15 October 2026.

1. If your Australian degree is on Engineers Australia's list of accredited programs (and you started it during or after its accreditation year), use the Australian qualifications pathway.
2. Provisional accreditation isn't enough; otherwise you'll need a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR).
3. Since 1 September 2024, advanced diploma and associate degree qualifications from registered training organisations must be Engineers Australia accredited to use that pathway.

Check your exact program and start year against Engineers Australia's accredited list before you enrol.

Source: engineersaustralia.org.au, checked 15 October 2026.

1. A qualification assessment of your accounting degree. If your course isn't on the accredited list, you provide subject outlines.
2. English: IELTS Academic 7.0 in each band (or equivalent), or completion of the Accounting Professional Year Program.
3. Only work after your degree was awarded counts as skilled employment; the Professional Year internship doesn't.

CPA Australia's English bar (IELTS 7 in each band) is higher than the 485's. CA ANZ and IPA also assess accountants; check their own criteria.

Source: cpaaustralia.com.au, checked 15 October 2026.

1. Register to practise with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (through Ahpra) after you graduate.
2. Then apply for ANMAC's Modified skills assessment, which is for nurses and midwives registered in Australia or New Zealand.

Ahpra registration has its own English and evidence requirements, and it comes before the ANMAC assessment.

Source: anmac.org.au, checked 15 October 2026.

1. At least 4 years of full-time university study, including a recognised initial teacher education qualification.
2. English: IELTS Academic with at least 7.0 in Reading and Writing and 8.0 in Speaking and Listening (one test, taken in the 3 years before applying), unless you meet AITSL's study exemption.

A 2-year Masters of Teaching after a non-teaching Bachelor usually adds up to the 4 years; check AITSL's checklist for your occupation.

Source: aitsl.edu.au, checked 15 October 2026.

1. Your qualification must be at the level VETASSESS requires for the occupation and in a highly relevant field.
2. Most professional occupations also need at least 1 year of highly relevant, paid, post-qualification employment (20+ hours a week) in the last 5 years; some groups need more if your field isn't highly relevant.
3. VETASSESS sets a 'date deemed skilled'; only work after that date counts for points.

Requirements differ by occupation group; read your occupation's VETASSESS page before choosing a course.

Source: vetassess.com.au, checked 15 October 2026.