Where Can I Book A Skills Assessment For Australian Immigration?

If you're planning a skilled migration application to Australia, one question comes up early: where do I actually book my skills assessment? The answer isn't one single website — it depends entirely on your nominated occupation. Here's the current, official breakdown for 2026.

Why You Need a Skills Assessment First

A skills assessment is a formal evaluation of your qualifications and work experience against Australian standards for your nominated occupation. For most skilled visas — including the Subclass 189, 190, 491, and often the 482 — a positive skills assessment is mandatory before you can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) or lodge a visa application. Home Affairs requires you to quote the assessment date, authority name, and reference number directly in your EOI.

Where To Book, By Occupation

Each occupation is allocated to a specific designated assessing authority appointed by the Australian Government — you can't choose freely; you must apply through the correct one for your ANZSCO code.

1. IT & tech occupations (software engineers, developers, analysts): Book through the Australian Computer Society (ACS) at acs.org.au.
2. Engineering occupations (31 recognised disciplines): Book through Engineers Australia at engineersaustralia.org.au. Standard processing runs around 15 weeks to assessor assignment, with a fast-track option in 20 business days.
3. Most other professional, managerial and technical occupations (marketing specialists, HR managers, financial advisers, scientists, economists, and more): Book through VETASSESS at vetassess.com.au. Standard full assessment currently takes around 7 weeks, with priority processing available in roughly 10 business days for an added fee.
4. Trades (electricians, chefs, mechanics, carpenters, welders, bakers): Book through Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) via the Job Ready Program or Offshore Skills Assessment, at tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au.
5. Nursing and midwifery: Book through the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC), with assessments typically commencing within 6–8 weeks.
6. Accounting occupations: Book through CPA Australia, CA ANZ, or the IPA, depending on your role.

What It Costs and How Long It Takes

Assessment fees generally range from AUD 500 to over 1,500, depending on the authority — VETASSESS charges around AUD 1,058 for a standard assessment. Trade assessments through TRA's Job Ready Program can run into the thousands and take 12+ months where paid Australian work hours are required. Book early: your EOI can't go in until this step is complete, and delays here are one of the most common reasons applicants miss invitation rounds.