The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) are undertaking a Skills Assessment Pilot which involves a free skills assessment for migrants who are in Australia and have a family, partner, refugee or humanitarian visa. Employability Assessments for Migrants is also available.
Free and Fast-Tracked Skills Assessments
The Australian Government is supporting stronger economic growth through pilot (temporary) programs to increase workforce participation for skilled migrants and address critical skills shortages in Australia.
- Skills Assessment Opportunities for Migrants Pilot is open and accepting applications.
- Employability Assessments Pilot is open and accepting applications.
Skills Assessment Pilots overview
The Pilots will benefit onshore migrants who will have access to:
- fast-tracked skills assessments
- free employability assessments
- advice and access to further training to improve their employment prospects.
This will help Australian businesses and industries address workforce pressures and support increased workforce participation of migrants.
For more information on the Pilots, see below:
- Skills Assessment and Assessing Authorities – FAQs
You may be eligible if you:
- have skills, experience and/or qualifications in an eligible occupation
- have not had a skills assessment in your chosen occupation
- are living in Australia
- are on an eligible family, partner, refugee or humanitarian visa, and
- your visa was granted on or after 1 January 2016.
To apply for this Free and Fast-Tracked Skills Assessment:
Contact the Assessing Authority that assesses the occupation you wish to work in.
Assessing Authorities are responsible for doing skills assessments and there are different Assessing Authorities for different occupations.
Your Assessing Authority will check whether you are eligible.
Be quick because this is a limited opportunity – apply today!
For more information: Visit the Skills Assessment Pilots website here
What is the Skills Assessment Opportunities for Migrants Pilot?
This pilot offers onshore migrants who reside in Australia a free, fast-tracked skills assessment. Migrants eligible for this Pilot include people in the following visa categories:
- Family visa subclass
- Partner visa subclass
- Humanitarian visa subclass
- Refugee visa subclass.
This Pilot is available to migrants who have never undergone a skills assessment and who have skills, qualifications and/or experience directly relevant to a priority occupation.
Am I eligible for Pilot 2?
| Circle Yes or No | Eligibility Checklist | |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | I have skills, experience and/or qualifications in an eligible occupation. |
| Yes | No | I do not have a skills assessment completed in that occupation. |
| Yes | No | I am living in Australia on an eligible visa. |
| Yes | No | My visa was granted on or after 1 January 2016. |
If you circled Yes to all the above, please contact the Assessing Authority for the occupation you are qualified in to apply!
Why should you apply to this Pilot?
Applicants who receive a suitable outcome as part of this Pilot can use their assessment to improve their employment options in their nominated occupation. This gives future employers confidence that the applicant has the skills necessary for working in an Australian workplace.
Applications for the Skills Assessment Opportunities for Migrants Pilot
If you are interested and believe you may meet the eligibility criteria, please contact the Assessing Authority that assesses the priority occupation you wish to work in.
Skills Assessment Opportunities for Migrants Pilot resources
- Skills Assessment Opportunities for Migrants – Occupation List
- Skills Assessment Opportunities for Migrants Pilot – Visa List
For more information including translated factsheets on the Skills Assessment Opportunities for Migrants please see:
Pilot 3 – Employability Assessments for Migrants Pilot
What is the Employability Assessments Pilot?
This Pilot offers onshore migrants with suitable skills assessments:
- One employability assessment
- One check-in session
- One coaching session
- One personalised plan to develop your employability skills
- Up to $3,000 to cover employability skills training
This Pilot enables applicants to gain the specific skills required in the Australian job market.
Am I eligible for Pilot 3?
| Circle Yes or No | Eligibility Checklist | |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | I have received a suitable skills assessment outcome in an eligible occupation on or after 1 January 2012* and have held it for a minimum of 12 months. |
| Yes | No | I am living in Australia on an eligible permanent visa |
| Yes | No | I am currently in paid employment below my skill level. (For example – have a suitable skills assessment in Accounting, and currently working as a Bookkeeper) |
| Yes | No | I am working a minimum of 40 hours per fortnight within the last month. This can include a mix of paid and volunteer and/or internship work, and can be with more than one employer. |
| Yes | No | I am not registered as a job seeker on Centrelink, or with Workforce Australia, Disability Employment Services, or the Community Development Program. |
| Yes | No | I have not previously completed or withdrawn from Pilot 3. |
*Note: Some Assessing Authorities only offer Pilot 3 for suitable outcomes received on or after 2019. See the eligible occupation list for more information.
If you circled Yes to all the above, please contact the Assessing Authority for the occupation you are qualified in to apply!
Why should you apply for this Pilot?
An employability skills assessment and subsidised training may help you gain the skills you need in the Australian job market.
Applying for the Employability Assessments Pilot
Assessing Authorities will contact previous suitable skills assessment applicants in their database and provide them with an Introductory Information Pack and an Application Form.
If you are interested and believe you may meet the eligibility criteria, please contact the Assessing Authority that completed your suitable skills assessment.
Employability Assessments Pilot resources
For more information including translated factsheets on Employability Assessments Pilot’ please see:
More Information
If you would like more information on how to apply for the pilots, please contact your occupation’s Assessing Authority.
Faster Migrant Skills Assessments (no longer active)
This Pilot finished on 17 June 2022 and is closed to new applications.
The Pilot offered fast-tracked skills assessments for onshore migrants who had already submitted and paid for an application in a priority occupation and were awaiting an outcome.
