VETASSESS Updates for Professional Occupations: What Applicants Need to Know in 2026
📌Published by Nationwide Migration & Education
👩💼Led by Registered Migration Agent Suman Dua (MARN: 1800859)
VETASSESS has announced important updates to its processes, systems, fees, and timeframes for professional occupation skills assessments. These changes affect skilled migration applicants, temporary graduate visa holders, and employers relying on VETASSESS assessments for visa planning.
Below is a clear summary of what’s changed — and why it matters.
Updated Processing Timeframes
VETASSESS aims to finalise professional occupation assessments within the following timeframes, calculated from the date of lodgement (excluding any time taken to provide additional documents):
Skills assessment for migration: 7 weeks
Outcome review: 7 weeks
Reassessment: 7 weeks
Appeal: 12 weeks
Applicants are given 28 days to provide any additional information requested after lodgement. If documents are not submitted within this period, VETASSESS will proceed with a decision based on the information available.
Options After a Skills Assessment Outcome
Depending on your initial outcome, different post-assessment options are available.
If the outcome is Not Suitable
Outcome review (same occupation): within 90 days
Reassessment (same occupation, after 90 days): within 12 months
Reassessment (different occupation): within 12 months
Appeal: within 90 days
If the outcome is Suitable
Reassessment for a different occupation: within 12 months
Renewal for the same occupation: within 3 years
These options allow applicants to respond strategically rather than starting from scratch.
Fee Increases for Professional Occupations
VETASSESS has implemented fee increases aligned with inflation, effective from late 2025. This is the first fee adjustment since November 2024.
Fees vary depending on the application type, occupation group, and tax residency status of the applicant.
Key points to note:
Applies to professional and general occupation assessments
Also applies to Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA), Industry Labour Agreements, and non-migration professional assessments
Does not apply to trade occupation assessments or the Accredited Customer Service Leader program
Examples of updated fees (applying from within Australia, incl. GST):
Full skills assessment: AUD $1,205.60
Priority processing: AUD $907.50
Outcome review: from AUD $374.00
Appeal: AUD $1,190.20
Renewal within 3 years: AUD $520.30
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, applicants are strongly encouraged to refer to the official VETASSESS fee table:
🔗 VETASSESS Skills Assessment Fees – Professional Occupations
https://www.vetassess.com.au/skills-assessment-for-migration/professional-occupations/skills-assessment-fees-for-professional-occupations
Post-485 Skills Assessments
For Post-Vocational Education Work (Subclass 485) visa holders, updated fees and processes apply depending on whether you are:
Continuing under the same nominated occupation, or
Changing to a different occupation
If you wish to change your nominated occupation, a new skills assessment application must be lodged.
Important Update for Pathway 1 (Trades) Applicants
From 1 January 2026, all Pathway 1 applicants must submit a Language, Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills (LLND) assessment with their Documentary Evidence Assessment.
This requirement aligns with updated compliance standards and must be uploaded at the time of lodgement.
Why These Updates Matter
VETASSESS skills assessments are often a critical foundation for:
Skilled migration visas (Subclass 189, 190, 491)
Employer-sponsored pathways
DAMA and labour agreement applications
Points test claims and visa timing strategies
With updated fees, stricter document timeframes, and additional requirements in place, early planning and accurate advice are more important than ever.
How We Can Help
At Nationwide Migration and Education, we assist clients with:
Selecting the right occupation and assessment pathway
Preparing decision-ready VETASSESS submissions
Managing reviews, reassessments, and appeals
Aligning skills assessments with visa and state nomination strategies
If you’re unsure how these updates affect your circumstances, professional guidance can help you avoid delays and unnecessary costs.
⚠️Disclaimer
Visa rules and eligibility criteria are subject to change. This blog is intended as general guidance only. For personalised advice based on your individual circumstances, please book a consultation with our Registered Migration Agent.
