FAQs - Skilled Employment

1. Who can assess my skilled employment? Answer
2. My qualifications assessment resulted in a 'not suitable' outcome.  Can I have my skilled employment assessed? Answer
3. Will you consider experience gained both pre and post qualification? Answer
4. How many hours do I need to work for my experience to be considered? Answer
5. Will you consider skilled employment that is not relevant to my nominated occupation? Answer
6. Can I claim points for both overseas and Australian skilled employment? Answer
7. I am submitting my qualifications and skilled employment for assessment at the same time.  Will they both be assessed? Answer
8. Is there a fee for the assessment of my skilled employment? Answer
9. I have submitted my qualifications and skilled employment for assessment at the same time.  Am I entitled to a refund if my qualifications are 'not suitable'? Answer
10. Can I submit additional information for an appeal or reassessment? Answer
11. Is a CV/Résume sufficient? Answer
12. What evidence must I provide? Answer
13. What other evidence is acceptable if I am not able to provide employer work reference(s)? Answer
14. I am / was self employed. What do I do? Answer
15. My company will not give me a reference directly. Can they send it to you? Answer
16. What about confidential details in my contract that could breach disclosure agreements? Answer 

 ANSWERS

1. Who can assess my skilled employment?

Your skilled employment assessment must be completed by the same assessing body responsible for the assessment of your qualifications.

2. My qualifications assessment resulted in a 'not suitable' outcome. Can I have my skilled employment assessed?

No. Your qualifications must have been assessed 'suitable' for the purpose of obtaining skills assessment before your skilled employment will be assessed.

3. Will you consider experience gained both pre and post qualification?

Only skilled employment after your relevant qualification will be assessed.  The relevant qualification will normally be the qualification submitted by you as the basis for your qualifications assessment. 

4. How many hours do I need to work for my experience to be considered?

You must work a minimum of 20 paid hours paid at market rate per week in your nominated or closely related occupation in order for your skilled employment to be considered.

5. Will you consider skilled employment that is not relevant to my nominated occupation?

No. Your employment must be closely related to your nominated occupation. To determine if an occupation is closely related to your nominated occupation you should refer to the ANZSCO website for information about occupations in the same unit group as your nominated occupation. Information about ANZSCO is available from the website of the Australian Bureau of Statistics.  For example, if you obtain a skills assessment as an Accountant (General) (ANZSCO 221111) and have skilled employment in the occupations of Management Accountant (ANZSCO 221112) and Taxation Accountant (ANZSCO 221113) you will be able to include those periods of employment to claim points.

6. Can I claim points for both overseas and Australian skilled employment?

Yes, we will assess and provide advice on your skilled employment both in Australia and overseas.  DIAC will take this advice into consideration to award points.

7. I am submitting my qualifications and skilled employment for assessment at the same time.  Will they both be assessed?

We will only assess your skilled employment if we have assessed your qualifications as 'suitable'. 

8. Is there a fee for the assessment of my skilled employment? 

An assessment fee of AUD150 applies.

9. I have submitted my qualifications and skilled employment for assessment at the same time. Am I entitled to a refund if my qualifications are 'not suitable'?

Yes, we will refund the skilled employment assessment fee of AUD150.

10. Can I submit additional information for an appeal or reassessment?

No. The assessment is based on information and references provided with your application. We will not seek or accept further information at any time. We will not reassess skilled employment applications.

11. Is a CV/Résume sufficient?

No. You must provide supporting evidence. 

12. What evidence must I provide?

Please attach certified true copies of work references on the letterhead of the company or government department providing the reference.

The letterhead should

1. show clearly the full address of the company and telephone and fax numbers, email and website address
2. include the name and position of the person authorised to sign the employment reference, typed or stamped below that person's signature.  The signatory must be your line manager, CEO or HR Manager.  A reference with an illegible signature will not be accepted
3. include the direct contact number of the person writing the reference

The reference must include:

1. period of employment
2. whether permanent, temporary, full or part time employment
3. main duties and responsibilities.

Other documents to support your claim may include:

1. Contracts
2. Tax returns
3. Current employer pay slips

References for Australian and overseas work experience must relate to employment that is no more than ten years old at the time of lodging your visa application.

Please refer to DIAC's FAQs on the new points test award points for both overseas and Australian skilled employment.

13. What other evidence is acceptable if I am not able to provide employer work reference(s)?

1. You may provide a work reference from a senior colleague in the same organisation with expertise closely related to your nominated occupation. This reference must be on or submitted with a Statutory Declaration. A Statutory Declaration is a legal document to be signed and witnessed by an authorised person. 
2. The referee must verify their employment and position. This may be by way of their business card, payslips and other relevant evidence.
3. The work reference / Statutory Declaration must include full employer details: i.e. name, address, telephone and fax numbers, email and website address.
4. Information to be provided is per FAQ 12.
5. You should also outline reasons for being unable to obtain an employment reference from your employer.
6. Please note the Institute of Public Accountants is under no obligation to accept references provided by colleagues.

There are heavy consequences for applicants who provide fraudulent declarations.

14. I am/was self-employed. What do I do?

1. You may provide a Statutory Declaration with a detailed explanation of the nature of your business. 
2. The following documents must be attached:
   • Certificate of Business Registration;
   • Tax Returns for your business; 
   • References/recommendations from business associates (with business cards attached);
   • Contracts for works undertaken; and
   • Any other information that demonstrates relevant skilled employment in the course of self-employment. 
3. If you worked as a contractor through an agency, a reference from the agency is acceptable. This reference must detail the nature of contract(s), the period(s) of your contract(s) and your key duties and responsibilities.

There are heavy consequences for applicants who provide fraudulent declarations.

15. What about confidential details in my contract that could breach disclosure agreements?

Please do not include any information that is sensitive or confidential. We only need details of your employment and responsibilities. 

16. My company will not give me a reference directly. Can they send it to you?

Yes. Please ensure they quote the reference number allocated to you by the Institute of Public Accountants. The work reference must be on company letterhead and include the details noted in FAQ 12.

The reference must be signed by your immediate supervisor/manager, with their name and position clearly indicated and business card attached.