VETASSESS Skills Assessment Explained – Professional, Trade, and DAMA Pathways
Published by Nationwide Migration & Education
Led by Registered Migration Agent Suman Dua (MARN: 1800859)
Why You Need a Skills Assessment
Now let’s get into today’s topic — VETASSESS.
If you’re applying for a permanent skilled visa to Australia, whether it's the subclass 189, 190, 491, or 186, one of the most important steps in your visa journey is your skills assessment.
A positive skills assessment is what proves to the Australian government that you are qualified and experienced in your nominated occupation — and without it, you simply can’t proceed with most skilled visa applications.
Each occupation has a different skills assessment body — and for a huge number of occupations, the official assessing authority is VETASSESS.
Who is VETASSESS and What Do They Do?
VETASSESS is Australia’s largest and most established skills assessing body.
They’ve been around for more than 25 years and are approved by the Australian Government to assess qualifications and work experience for migration purposes.
They assess three major groups of occupations:
1. Professional or General Occupations
These are roles like:
Marketing specialists
HR advisors
Education managers
Environmental scientists
Management consultants
...and more.
VETASSESS assesses over 340 professional occupations — making it the most comprehensive authority in this space.
2. Trade Occupations
They are also a TRA-approved Registered Training Organisation for trade assessments.
So if you’re a:
Chef
Motor mechanic
Welder
Electrician
Plumber
...or similar, VETASSESS handles the skills assessment process for you under the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP).
They currently assess 27 trade occupations, and the process includes reviewing your documents, technical interviews, and even practical assessments depending on your pathway.
3. DAMA Occupations
This is where VETASSESS is really expanding.
Under the Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA), VETASSESS now assesses over 830 additional occupations across various regional areas in Australia.
That’s a huge increase — and it includes occupations that aren’t normally on the skilled occupation list for general migration.
These roles are designed to fill skill shortages in regional parts of Australia, and if you have an employer willing to sponsor you, this can be a fantastic pathway.
The Process: How VETASSESS Assessments Work
Let’s quickly walk through how the assessment works.
✅ For Professional Occupations
VETASSESS will:
Assess your educational qualifications and compare them to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
Evaluate your employment history to ensure it’s closely related to your nominated occupation and at the right skill level
Check recency of work, ensuring you’ve worked in the occupation in the last 5 years (ideally, in the last 3 years)
Every occupation has specific requirements, so two people with different job titles will not go through the same criteria. That’s why it’s so important to apply carefully and submit a well-documented, decision-ready application.
✅ For Trade Occupations (e.g., electricians or chefs)
You’ll go through a 3-step process:
Documentary Evidence Assessment – This includes work references, payslips, qualifications, bank statements, etc.
Technical Interview – An assessor interviews you about your skills and work knowledge.
Practical Assessment – For licensed trades (e.g., electricians, plumbers), you’ll need to demonstrate practical skills at an approved venue.
This ensures you meet the Australian standard for your trade.
✅ For DAMA Occupations
If you’ve been offered a job in a DAMA region — for example:
Northern Territory
Far North Queensland
Parts of Western Australia or Victoria
VETASSESS will assess your experience and qualifications to ensure you’re suitable for the occupation your employer wants to sponsor you for.
Each DAMA region has its own occupation list and often includes concessions for:
English language
Age
Salary thresholds
💡 And the best part? Even if your occupation isn’t on the regular skilled occupation list, it might still be eligible under a DAMA if a regional employer wants to sponsor you.
Why Choose Us to Help With VETASSESS Applications
At Nationwide Migration and Education, we’ve helped hundreds of clients get their skills assessment through VETASSESS — whether it’s:
Professional roles
Trade occupations
DAMA sponsorships
We know exactly how to:
✅ Prepare your documents
✅ Meet the criteria for your specific occupation
✅ Lodge a complete and compelling application
Our team can:
Help you determine which occupation is the best fit
Guide you in collecting the right documents
Prepare employment reference letters to meet VETASSESS standards
Handle your VETASSESS application end-to-end
Assist with follow-up, priority processing, reviews, or appeals if needed
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How long does a VETASSESS assessment take?
🕒 The standard processing time is around 10–12 weeks, but priority processing is available for certain applications.
Q: Can I apply for VETASSESS skills assessment offshore?
✅ Yes, both professional and trade applicants can apply from outside Australia.
Q: What if my job title is different but my duties match the nominated occupation?
VETASSESS assesses your job duties, not your title. It’s possible to receive a positive outcome if your responsibilities align closely with the nominated occupation.
Q: Do I need English test results for the VETASSESS skills assessment?
📌 For most general and trade occupations, English test results are not required for the skills assessment, but may be needed for visa purposes.
Q: Is VETASSESS the only assessing body?
No — it’s just one of many. But if your occupation falls under their list, you must go through VETASSESS.
Final Thoughts
So if you’re looking to apply for a skilled visa — and your occupation is assessed by VETASSESS — let’s get your skills assessment right from the start.
📞 Book a consultation now!
We have a team of experienced migration agents who handle VETASSESS assessments every single day — and we’re here to support you.
Disclaimer:
The information shared by Nationwide Migration and Education is for general informational purposes only. While accurate at the time of publication, details may change. This content is not intended as legal or migration advice. For advice tailored to your circumstances, please book a consultation with us.
