VETASSESS Skill Assessment Processing Times – Updated December 2024
If you’re planning to apply for a VETASSESS skill assessment, here are the latest processing time updates as of November 2024:
1. Migration Skills Assessment – Professional Occupations
- Processing Time: 6-8 weeks
- Notes: Timeframes may vary depending on the complexity of the application and the completeness of the submitted documents and required information.
2. Migration Skills Assessment – Trade Occupations
- Processing Time: Varies based on the skill assessment process and other factors, such as whether all required supporting evidence is provided.
- Additional Guidance: Applicants can refer to the guidelines for various programs provided by the Australian TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) for approximate processing times.
- Priority Processing:
- Available for Professional and General occupations (not for Trade occupations).
- Processing is completed within 10 business days of confirmation for eligible applications.
3. Assessment for 485 Post-Vocational Education Work Visa
- Processing Time: 1-2 weeks
- Updates: The Australian Government has reinstated the skills assessment requirement for this visa.
4. DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement) and ILA (Industrial Labour Agreements)
- Processing Time: 2-3 weeks
5. Skill Assessment Updates (Renewals)
- Processing Time: 2-5 weeks
- For expired assessments requiring renewal, processing takes approximately 8-10 weeks after all required documents are received.
- Complex cases may require additional time. Renewal applications are also eligible for priority processing.
6. Review and Appeal of Assessment Outcomes
- Review Processing Time: 10-12 weeks for Professional and General occupations.
- Appeal Processing Time: 12-20 weeks
- Recommendation: Applicants are encouraged to submit review or appeal requests as early as possible to avoid delays.
7. Chinese Qualifications Verification
- Processing Time: 8-10 weeks
- Most applications are completed within this timeframe. However, qualifications awarded before 1995 may take longer to verify.
- Important: Incomplete documentation at the time of application may cause significant delays in processing.
Additionally, starting from November 20, 2024, VETASSESS will increase its skill assessment skills. This adjustment will apply to both Professional and General occupation assessment applications.
The updated fees for VETASSESS skill assessments, effective from November 20, 2024, are as follows:
- Full Skills Assessment: Increased from AUD 1,033 to AUD 1,070
- 485 Skills Assessment: Increased from AUD 392 to AUD 406
- Post-485 Skills Assessment: Increased to AUD 832
- Priority Processing Fee: Remains unchanged
- Review Fees: Vary by type, with an increase of 3-4%
- Appeal Fee: Adjusted to AUD 1,057
- Skills Assessment Renewal Fee: AUD 462
- Reassessment for Changing Occupation: New fee set at AUD 728
Applicants are encouraged to review these changes and plan their applications accordingly.
To successfully achieve the assessment, applicants are advised to carefully review the required documents, including work references, academic certificates, and relevant translations, ensuring that all materials meet VETASSESS requirements. Consulting a professional agency in advance to obtain an accurate document checklist and preparation advice can help improve the likelihood of a successful assessment.
