Australia has 35 officially recognised skills assessment bodies, each covering a specific occupation or industry group, and choosing the wrong one can delay your visa application by months. This guide lists every current assessing authority, explains how they work, and helps you connect with a registered migration agent who can confirm which body applies to your circumstances.
What is a skills assessment body and why does it matter?
If you are applying for a skilled migration visa — including the Subclass 189, 190, or 491 — the Department of Home Affairs requires you to have your overseas qualifications and work experience assessed by an approved skills assessment body before you can lodge a points-tested application. The assessment is a formal determination that your skills are comparable to an Australian standard in your nominated occupation.
Getting this step wrong is one of the most common reasons skilled visa applications stall. According to the Department of Home Affairs, skills assessments are mandatory for the vast majority of points-tested skilled visas, and an incorrect or expired assessment will result in an invalid Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. The process can take anywhere from four weeks to six months depending on the body, so starting early with proper professional advice is critical.
A registered migration agent can review your employment history, qualifications, and nominated ANZSCO code to confirm which assessing authority applies — and whether you are likely to receive a positive outcome before you invest time and money in the application.
The full list of Australian skills assessment bodies (2026)
Australia's 35 skills assessment bodies are listed on the Department of Home Affairs website and span every major industry. Below is the complete breakdown by sector:
Engineering and technology - Engineers Australia (EA) — covers engineers across all disciplines - Australian Computer Society (ACS) — ICT professionals - VETASSESS — a broad range of trade and professional occupations Health and medicine - Australian Medical Council (AMC) — medical practitioners - Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) — nurses and midwives - Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) — allied health and regulated health professions - Dental Council — dentists and dental specialists - Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand (OCANZ) - Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia - Psychology Board of Australia - Physiotherapy Board of Australia - Occupational Therapy Board of Australia - Australian Podiatry Board Trades and vocational - Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) — automotive, electrical, construction, and plumbing trades - Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) — VET-related roles Accounting and finance - CPA Australia - Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) - Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) Teaching and education - Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) — teachers - Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) — an alternative pathway in some cases Science and research - VETASSESS covers many science professionals Architecture, surveying and planning - Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) - Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS) - Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute (SSSI) Social work and community services - Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Legal - Law admissions in Australia are assessed state by state; legal practitioners typically work with VETASSESS Other recognised bodies - Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (merged into CAANZ) - Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) - Dietitians Australia - Speech Pathology Australia - Australian Institute of Radiography - Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) - Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA — under AACA framework) - ACECQA — early childhood education and care - NAATI — translators and interpretersThis list reflects the bodies recognised as at 1 January 2026. Bodies and their scope can change; always verify via the official Department of Home Affairs skills assessment page or speak with a registered migration agent before proceeding.
How to find the right body for your occupation
Each occupation listed in the ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) is assigned to a specific assessing authority. You cannot choose your preferred body — the Department of Home Affairs determines which body applies based on your nominated ANZSCO code.
To identify yours:
1. Locate your occupation in the ANZSCO database on the ABS website 2. Cross-reference it with the Home Affairs skills assessment list 3. Visit the relevant body's website to confirm eligibility criteria 4. Gather documents (qualifications, transcripts, employment references, professional registration)
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the ANZSCO classification system covers more than 1,000 occupations across eight major groups, meaning there is often more than one possible code for a given job title — a nuance that registered migration agents are specifically trained to navigate.
Comparing the three largest skills assessment bodies
The following table compares the three most commonly used bodies for skilled migration in 2026, based on publicly listed fees.
| Body | Occupations Covered | Assessment Fee (AUD, 2026) | Typical Processing Time | |---|---|---|---| | Engineers Australia (EA) | Engineers (all disciplines), engineering managers | $870 – $1,010 | 8 – 12 weeks | | Australian Computer Society (ACS) | ICT professionals, software developers, analysts | $530 – $850 | 4 – 8 weeks | | VETASSESS | 360+ professional and trade occupations | $715 – $1,150 | 10 – 18 weeks |*Fees sourced directly from each body's published schedule, January 2026. Fees are subject to change; confirm the current fee before applying.*
For a broader breakdown of what skilled migration costs end to end, including visa application charges and agent fees, see our cost guide.
How skills assessments fit into your overall visa strategy
A positive skills assessment is only one piece of the puzzle. You will also need to meet the points test threshold (currently 65 points minimum to submit an EOI), obtain a nomination if applying for a state-nominated visa, and satisfy health and character requirements. As at March 2026, the median points score for an invited Subclass 189 applicant in the latest SkillSelect round was 90 points, reflecting continued competition in the skilled migration program.
Our methodology explains how we evaluate migration agents and the resources we link to throughout this guide.
Working with a registered migration agent early in this process — before you submit your skills assessment — can save significant time and money. Agents can advise on which ANZSCO code to nominate, whether your employment history meets the body's requirements, and how to present ambiguous experience in the strongest possible way.
Choosing a registered migration agent to guide you
The best migration agents in Sydney and across Australia are registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA). Only registered agents may provide immigration assistance for a fee in Australia. When selecting an agent, confirm their OMARA registration number, ask about their experience with your specific occupation and visa subclass, and request a written service agreement before paying any fees.
Red flags include agents who guarantee a positive skills assessment outcome, ask for cash-only payments, or cannot provide an OMARA number on request.
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Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I complete my skills assessment without a migration agent? Yes. All 35 skills assessment bodies accept direct applications from applicants. However, given the complexity of ANZSCO coding, document requirements, and the consequences of a negative assessment, many applicants choose to work with a registered migration agent, particularly for higher-stakes cases. Q: How long is a skills assessment valid? Most assessments are valid for three years from the date of issue, though this varies by body. For example, Engineers Australia assessments are valid for three years, while some bodies issue assessments that must be used within a specific visa application cycle. Check with your assessing authority. Q: What happens if I receive a negative skills assessment? You generally have the right to request a review or lodge an appeal with the assessing body. The process, timeline, and fees for review differ between bodies. In some cases, gathering additional employment evidence or completing further Australian qualifications can support a successful re-application. Q: Does a positive skills assessment guarantee my visa will be granted? No. A positive skills assessment confirms your skills meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation — it does not guarantee an invitation from SkillSelect, state nomination, or final visa grant. All other visa criteria must also be satisfied independently.---
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