Assessing Authority Policy and Assurance

The department supports the Minister for Skills and Training through oversight of the appointed assessing authorities. The roles and responsibilities are set out in the Guiding Principles and Standards for Skilled Migration Assessing Authorities (the Guide), and include:

• making recommendations to the Minister for Skills and Training for approval of assessing authorities,
• monitoring assessing authorities’ performance,
• liaising with the Department of Home Affairs and other Australian Government agencies, and
• ensuring demonstration of Australia’s international obligations in skills recognition.

Skills assessments are issued by skilled migration assessing authorities. These ensure migrants’ skills, experience and qualifications meet work standards in Australia.

Skills assessments are a key element of Australia's skilled migration system.

These are mandatory for migration purposes for some visa subclasses. Migrants can also use a successful skills assessment letter when applying for a job.

Assessing authorities are organisations that conduct skills assessments. They check that potential migrants have the skills that meet standards to work in their nominated occupation in Australia.