MIGRATION SKILLS ASSESSMENT (MSA): EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

If you’re looking forward to migrate to Australia, this blog is your ultimate resource for expert guidance. We provide clear and simple information on the migration skills assessment process for individuals looking forward to migrate Australia. Our goal is to make your migration journey smoother by helping you understand the necessary requirements and qualifications.

Understanding Migration Skill Assessment

Migration Skills Assessment is a very important process for those wishing to migrate to Australia. It is conducted by respective bodies depending on the profession you choose. For example, for engineers its done by EA.  The professional body for your occupation will assess the qualifications and work experience of your profession from overseas. This assessment determines whether their skills meet the required standards for working in the given field or not. Applicants must undergo the assessment to apply for skilled migration visas or seek recognition of their qualifications for employment purposes in Australia. It ensures that you are migrating to Australia with the necessary skills and expertise to contribute to the country’s workforce.

Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) Eligibility

Qualifications Related to Your Nominated Occupation

To be eligible for the MSA, it is essential to have a qualification directly related to the occupation you intend to nominate for migration. The assessing bodies require that your educational background aligns with the specific field you wish to practise in Australia. 

Required Amount of Directly Relevant Employment

Another important criteria is having the required amount of directly relevant work experience in your nominated occupation. This is important to assess your work history to ensure you possess the necessary expertise and skills to contribute effectively to the Australian workforce.

MSA Applicant Guidelines for Employment Requirements

Before applying for the MSA, it’s crucial to carefully review the Migration Skill Assessment Applicant Guidelines to understand the specific employment requirements for your nominated occupation.

Occupation Listed on a Skilled Occupation List

To apply for the MSA, your occupation must be listed on a skilled occupation list with your assessing bodies as the relevant assessing authority. This list includes occupations in high demand and indicates that the Australian job market requires professionals in your field.

Popular Skill Assessment Authorities in Australia

Australian Home Affairs have introduced several Skills Assessment Authorities who are responsible for assessing the qualifications and skills of migrants for various skilled occupations. Let’s start knowing them all:

1. Engineers Australia Skills Assessment

If you want to migrate to Australia as an Engineer and you have all those professional engineering qualities that prove your competencies for migration to Australia, then congratulations because you can migrate to Australia after giving a simple Skill Assessment by Engineers Australia.

Engineers Australia (EA) is an authorised organisation based and operating in Australia to access the knowledge and competencies of engineers worldwide. Engineers Australia Skills Assessment process is preferred by most engineers worldwide who want to migrate to Australia.

Every engineer from overseas must undergo a skill assessment conducted by Engineers Australia to prove their competency. This assessment helps Engineers Australia to determine if the applicant’s qualifications, experience, and skills meet the standards & requirements set by Engineers Australia.

1.1 Engineering Australia Skill Assessment Pathways

EA has divided its skill assessment into two pathways that are:

1. Accredited Qualification Pathway
2. Non-Accredited Qualification Pathway

A. Accredited Qualification Pathways

For engineers who go for accredited qualification, the following are the pathways to Australia for skill assessment:

• Australian Qualifications
• Washington Accord
• Sydney Accord
• Dublin Accord Qualifications

B. Non- Accredited Qualification Pathways

For engineers who go for non-accredited qualifications, the following are the pathways to Australia for skill assessment:

• Competency Demonstration Report: It includes Continuous Professional Development, Three Career Episodes, and a Professional Summary Statement.

1.2 Eligibility Criteria For Engineers

If you are going with the Engineers Australia Skills Assessment Process, make sure you match the following eligibility criteria:

• Must have completed post-secondary education in any Engineering Fields.
• Must have at least three years of relevant work experience
• Must have a skilled working ability on a professional level
• Must have work experience relevant to the nominated occupation

1.3 Skill Assessment Process for Engineers Australia

• Apply through the online portal
• Provide essential documents such as academic transcripts, employment records, and a CV for documentary evidence.
• Provide proof of English Language Proficiency ( Such as IELTS)
• Paying Fee for a Skill Assessment to engineers Australia

1.4 Documents Required for Engineers Australia Skill Assessment

• Academic Qualifications
• Evidence of Work & Employment
• Resume/CV
• English Language Proficiency (IELTS) Test Result
• Valid Identification documents

2. ACS Skills Assessment

ACS (Australian Computer Society) is a designated assessing authority that assesses IT (Information Technology) professionals and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) occupations who wish to migrate to Australia. The ACS skills assessment is the evaluation process of an applicant’s qualifications and work experience to ensure suitability in the ICT field. If you are a professional seeking to migrate to Australia, here are the things you need to know:

2.1 Eligibility Criteria for ACS Skill Assessment

If you are going with the ACS Skills Assessment Process, make sure you match the following eligibility criteria:

• Must have completed at least a bachelor’s degree in any field
• Must have at least two years of relevant work experience in the last ten years
• Must be a skilled working ability on a professional level
• Must have work experience relevant to the nominated occupation 

2.2 ACS Skills Assessment Process

• Online Application submission to the ACS
• Documentary evidence of academic transcripts and work experience
• Detailed & updated resume
• Provide proof of English Language Proficiency (Such as IELTS)
• Paying Fee for ACS assessment

2.3 Important Documents Required for ACS Skill Assessment

• Academic Qualifications
• Evidence of Work & Employment
• Resume/CV
• English Language Proficiency (IELTS) Test Result
• Valid Identification documents

3. VETASSESS Skills Assessment

VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Service) is another popular skill assessment authority for applicants in Australia. After all, it gives freedom to various occupations across various industries. The VETASSESS skill assessment includes the evaluation of the applicant’s educational qualification, work experience, and other relevant skills required of the Australian industry. 

3.1 Eligibility Criteria for VETASSESS Skill Assessment

If you are going with the VETASSESS Skills Assessment Process, make sure you match the following eligibility criteria:

• Must have completed post-secondary education in any field.
• Must have at least three years of relevant work experience
• Must be a skilled working ability on a professional level
• Must have work experience relevant to the nominated occupation 

3.2 VETASSESS Skill Assessment Process

• Online Application submission to VETASSESS
• Documentary evidence of academic transcripts and work experience
• Detailed & updated resume
• Provide proof of English Language Proficiency ( Such as IELTS)
• Paying Fee for VETASSESS assessment 

3.3 Important Documents Required for ACS Skill Assessment

• Academic Qualifications
• Evidence of Work & Employment
• Resume/CV
• English Language Proficiency (IELTS) Test Result
• Valid Identification documents

Some Other Skill Assessment Authorities

Now that you have learned about the most prominent Skills Assessment Authorities, let’s meet up with some other authorities as well:

1. TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) Skill Assessment

Trades Recognition Australia, also called TRA Skills Assessment, is also one of the authorised skill assessments organisations that is responsible for the evaluation of migration skills and qualifications of an individual’s trade capability, followed by the Australian industry. Interested applicants must provide detailed documentation of their trade qualifications, including certificates and transcripts. Additionally, it is also required to submit evidence of work experiences, like employment contracts, reference letters, and job descriptions.

2. AIM (Australian Institute of Management) Skill Assessment

The Australian Institute of Management Skill Assessment is an authority that offers skill assessment service for people who seek employment opportunities in Australia in different management roles. It evaluates an individual’s skills, qualifications, and experience in different management domains, such as leadership, project management, human resources, and marketing.

3. CPA (Certified Practising Accountants) Skill Assessment

CPA Australia is an authority that is responsible for assessing the qualifications of accountants who wish to work in Australia in various accounting sectors. The authority conducts its assessment by evaluating your competencies, educational background, and professional experience

4. ICAA (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia Skill Assessment)

Similar to that of CPA Skill Assessment, ICAA is also a skill assessment procedure to migrate to Australia as an Accountant. The assessment process of ICAA includes a comprehensive evaluation of your accounting skills, qualifications, and work experience to determine the eligibility criteria for migration.

5. AACA Skills Assessment

Architects Accreditation Council of Australia, ACCA is a skills assessment body responsible for the skills assess of overseas architects. It is awarded based on the skills, academic qualifications, and competency of Architects under the Australian Government Skilled Migration Program.

List Of Some Occupations And Their Assessing Bodies

Occupation	Skill Assessment Body
Engineers	Engineers Australia
Information Technology	Australian Computer Society (ACS)
Nurses and Midwives	Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC)
Accountants	Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ)
Business Professionals	Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML)
Pharmacists	Australian Pharmacy Council (APC)
Teachers	Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL)
Social Workers	Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Medical Practitioners	Australian Medical Council (AMC)
Physiotherapists	Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC)
Occupational Therapists	Occupational Therapy Council of Australia (OTC)
Electricians	Trade Recognition Australia (TRA) Approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
Chefs	Trade Recognition Australia (TRA)
Welders	Trade Recognition Australia (TRA) Approved Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)
Hairdressers	Trade Recognition Australia (TRA)
Automotive Mechanics	Trade Recognition Australia (TRA)
Carpentry and Joinery	Trade Recognition Australia (TRA)
Plumber	Trade Recognition Australia TRA-approved registered training organisation (RTO)
Electrician	Trade Recognition Australia (TRA)-approved registered training organisation (RTO)
Bricklayer	Trade Recognition Australia (TRA)-approved registered training organisation (RTO)

Important Factors to Consider Before Applying for Skills Assessment

Check with the Department of Home Affairs

The first step is to verify with the Department of Home Affairs whether you require a skills assessment for your specific visa application. Different visa subclasses have varying requirements, and it is essential to determine if a skills assessment is necessary for your chosen visa category.

Confirm the Right Assessing Authority

To proceed with your skills assessment, it is crucial to verify that we are the designated assessing authority for your occupation. Each occupation may have different assessing authorities, and it is vital to ensure that we are the right fit for your particular field.

Migration Skill Assessment Fees

Assessment Service	Fee ($AUD)
Migration Skill Assessment	$795
Migration Skill Assessment Review	$610

What Visa Categories Should Apply For Migration Skill Assessment?  

If you are planning to apply for certain visa categories, a skills assessment may be required to meet the eligibility criteria. The following visas and streams may require a skills assessment:

1. General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas
2. Employer Sponsored visas
3. Temporary Skill Shortage visa (TSS)
4. Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

How to Apply for Migration Skills Assessment?

Step 1

Register through the Online Portal. To begin the application process, you must register through our user-friendly online portal. Create a password and keep a record of your username, as you will need it for future login access.

Step 2

Complete Your Application. Gather all the necessary details before proceeding with your application. You will need information such as your previous TRA number, passport details, personal information, occupation, and visa type. If you are using an agent/representative, include their details as well. Additionally, provide your qualification details or apprenticeship, along with comprehensive employment details for each period you are claiming.

Step 3

Submit Required Documents and Pay the Fee Once your application is complete, it’s time to submit the required documents and pay the fee. Ensure that you upload all necessary documents to avoid delays in the assessment process.

How to Choose the Right Skills Assessment Authority?

If you have reached up to here, you may already understand about the different Skills Assessment Authority and their roles in different occupations. So now the question comes, How to Choose the Right Skill Assessment Authority? Well, there is no such hard and fast rule for choosing the skills assessment authority, as it all depends upon your personal preference and requirement. 

Still, we have prepared some important factors to consider when selecting a skill assessment authority:

• Occupation: Every skill assessment authority specialises in assessing specific occupations. As a result, when choosing a Skill Assessment Authority, always keep your occupation, requirements, and eligibility criteria in mind.
• Professional Qualification: Next, check if your chosen assessment authority recognizes your qualifications and educational background. It is essential as some authorities may have specific eligibility criteria for the level and type of profession you have.
• Assessment fees: Every assessment authority has its fees. 
• Reputation & Track Record: Research the authority’s reputation and track record. Check for reviews, success rates, and feedback from previous clients.

Conclusion

Migration Skills Assessment is a crucial step in the process of skilled migration to Australia. All the leading skill-assessing authorities, such as ACS, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, and others, have implemented specific criteria and processes that evaluate an individual’s skills, qualifications, and experience. Therefore, to ensure a positive skills assessment, the right assessing authority is essential. 
We are dedicated to assisting you throughout the entire Skills Assessment process. Our team of experts at How to Write CDR is here to provide guidance and support as you prepare your Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) or navigate through the various accredited qualifications pathways. From understanding the requirements to compiling a compelling CDR, we will ensure you have the knowledge and resources needed for a successful assessment. Let us be your trusted partner in achieving your goal of migrating to Australia as a skilled engineer.

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