If your job is a professional or general occupation, your skills assessment most likely goes through VETASSESS. A VETASSESS skills assessment is an official check of your qualification and work experience against the Australian standard for your occupation. VETASSESS assesses hundreds of occupations that do not have their own dedicated authority. You need a positive result before you can be invited to apply for a points-tested skilled visa.
This guide explains who uses VETASSESS, how its occupation groups work, how your qualification and experience are judged, and how long a result lasts in 2026. It is written for professionals planning a skilled visa.
Which occupations does VETASSESS assess?
VETASSESS assesses a wide range of professional, managerial, and technical occupations that have no dedicated authority. Common examples include marketing specialists, human resource advisers, management consultants, economists, scientists, and many others. If your occupation is professional and not handled by a specialist body, VETASSESS is usually your authority.
Who needs a VETASSESS skills assessment
You need a VETASSESS assessment when your nominated occupation sits in its professional or general list. This supports the main points-tested visas: the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
If you are not sure whether VETASSESS is your authority, check your occupation on the skilled occupation list first. Our skills assessment guide explains how to find the right body for any occupation.
VETASSESS occupation groups
VETASSESS sorts professional occupations into groups, labelled A to E. The group is set by the indicative skill level of the occupation under ANZSCO, which is the standard list of Australian occupations. Your group decides what qualification you need, how much experience you need, and how your work is judged.
Most applicants fall into Group A or Group B.
At least one year of highly relevant work in the last five years, plus extra years of relevant employment
The key difference is the field of study and how your experience is counted. For Group A, your degree must be in a field highly relevant to your job, and work done before you finished your qualification usually does not count. For Group B, the degree level still matters, but some pre-qualification experience may count under set conditions. Groups C, D, and E apply to other occupations with different rules.
How VETASSESS judges your qualification and experience
VETASSESS looks at two things. First, it checks your qualification, both its level and whether it is highly relevant to your nominated occupation. Second, it checks your employment, to confirm the work was at the right skill level and relevant to your job.
The phrase highly relevant matters here. A degree or a job that is only loosely connected to your occupation may not count. This is why your nominated occupation should match your real duties, not just your job title. Strong, detailed employment references make the difference, because they let VETASSESS see exactly what you did.
Points Test Advice for your skilled experience
VETASSESS also offers a separate service called Points Test Advice. It assesses how many years of your skilled employment can be counted for points, both before and after your skills assessment date. This is useful because the points test rewards skilled work experience, and the number of qualifying years can change your score.
To see how those years turn into points, use our Australia PR points calculator. Getting the experience count right early can save you from a surprise later.
How long it takes and how long it lasts
Processing time depends on your occupation and whether your documents are complete. VETASSESS assessments commonly take around eight to twelve weeks overall, though the active assessment is faster once all documents, interviews, and reference checks are done. Treat the timeframe as approximate, because it changes with demand and with how complete your application is.
A positive VETASSESS result is valid for three years from the date of issue. It must be valid when you are invited to apply for your visa. Plan the assessment so the result does not expire before your invitation.
If you disagree with the result
You have options if your result is not what you expected. For the same occupation, you can ask for a review within ninety calendar days of the decision. After that period, and up to twelve months from the decision, you can lodge a reassessment for the same occupation. A registered migration agent can help you decide whether a review is worthwhile and what stronger evidence to provide.
Do you need an English test for VETASSESS?
A professional VETASSESS assessment generally focuses on your qualification and experience, not your English. You can usually complete it without an English test result. Confirm the requirement for your occupation, since rules can differ.
Your visa is separate. Every points-tested skilled visa needs an approved English test result, both to meet the standard and to claim points for English. So plan your English test early and aim above the minimum. Our guide to the English tests approved for Australian visas helps you choose.
Common mistakes to avoid
A few errors cause most delays. Nominating an occupation that does not match your real duties is the first. Treating a loosely related degree as highly relevant is the second, because VETASSESS may not count it. Weak employment references are the third, since vague references make your experience hard to confirm. Ignoring your group rules is the fourth, as Group A and Group B count experience differently. Letting the result expire is the fifth, because the three-year window can pass before your invitation arrives.
Frequently asked questions
Which occupations does VETASSESS assess? VETASSESS assesses hundreds of professional, managerial, and technical occupations that have no dedicated authority, such as marketing specialists, human resource advisers, management consultants, economists, and scientists. If your professional occupation is not handled by a specialist body, VETASSESS is usually your assessing authority.
What is the difference between Group A and Group B? Both generally need an Australian Bachelor degree or higher. Group A requires a degree in a highly relevant field and counts post-qualification work. Group B still needs a bachelor-level qualification but asks for more total experience, and some pre-qualification work may count under set conditions.
How long does a VETASSESS assessment take? A VETASSESS assessment commonly takes around eight to twelve weeks overall. The active assessment is faster once all documents, interviews, and reference checks are complete. Missing documents are the main cause of delay, so apply with a complete file.
How long is a VETASSESS result valid? A positive VETASSESS skills assessment is valid for three years from the date of issue. It must be valid when you receive your invitation to apply, so plan the timing around your visa.
Can I challenge a VETASSESS decision? Yes. For the same occupation, you can request a review within ninety days of the decision. After that, and up to twelve months from the decision, you can lodge a reassessment. Provide stronger evidence to support a different outcome.
Next steps
A VETASSESS skills assessment is the foundation of a professional applicant's skilled visa. Confirm your occupation, match your qualification and experience to your group, and prepare detailed references. Plan around the three-year validity so your result is ready when you are invited.
If you are not sure which group fits you or how your experience will be counted, speak to a Registered Migration Agent before you apply. Manisha Bhutani (Registered Migration Agent, MARN 2217756) reviews your qualifications and work history against the current VETASSESS rules and helps you plan the timing. Book a consultation with Desire PTE & Migration to get your VETASSESS assessment right the first time.
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