Skills assessments are issued by relevant skills assessing authorities. A skills assessing authority is an organisation that checks that your skills meet the standards they set to work in a relevant occupation. Skills assessment is a criterion that is similar to RPL but the accreditation is much more comprehensive and the only assessing professional authorities ordained by the Department of Home Affairs can award the accreditation.

As new regulations now have more stringent requirements for visa applications, a skills assessment is now seen as a strong form of supporting evidence for visa applications.

Nominees for positions under a Labour Agreement will also likely be required to produce a skills assessment to certify that they are qualified for the position.

Some of the relevant professional assessing bodies ordained by the Department include:

• Australia Institute of Management (AIM)
• Australian Computer Society (ACS)
• Engineers Australia
• Certified Practising Accountants of Australia (CPAA)
• Medical Board of Australia (MBA)

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is a process for accrediting skills, knowledge and experience gained at any stage of their lives, through formal and informal learning, in Australia or overseas, through work or other activities such as volunteering.

In essence, it is quicker way for attaining local certificates that are certified and issued by Australian Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).

Engineers Australia is the designated assessing authority for engineering occupations. Engineers who want to migrate to Australia would have to undertake a skills assessment with them. There are various skills assessment pathways available depending on your qualification and educational background.

If your qualification is not accredited or from a non-accord listed country, you can still be eligible by undergoing the Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) pathway.