Assessment

You can apply for a 457 Skills Assessment with Victoria University (VU) if you hold a passport from one of the following nominated countries.

At home in Australia

• Brazil
• China (incl. Hong Kong and Macau)
• Fiji
• India
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• South Africa
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Zimbabwe

The skills assessment is based on formal and structural recognition of prior learning.You will receive an Australian qualification for non-licensed trades or an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR) for licensed trade after successfully completing a skills assessment.

VU is able to assist with an organisation’s bulk skills assessment requirements. Please email 457skillsassess@vu.edu.au to discuss your company's needs.

Information for applicants

Applicants must read the Information for Applicants – 457 Skills Assessment Program (Temporary Migration) before submitting their application.

Application Deadlines for 2012 finalisation

The Victoria University (VU) Consortium including the Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) will be closed over Christmas and New Year. During this time skills assessment applications may not progress.

Please review the timetable below, in line with standard processing times, to ensure your application is received and completed prior to the 2012 Finalisation.

The VU Consortium will be available for applicant/agent enquiries throughout this period (except closure dates listed below).

Pathways

There are two application pathways.

Pathway 1 – Applicants who do not hold a relevant Australian trade qualification.

Pathway 2 – Applicants who hold a relevant Australian trade qualification.

Determine the application pathway that is right for you.

Assessment steps

There are four stages to the Temporary Worker Visa 457 Program Assessment.

Stage 1: Application Review

Stage 2: Documentary Evidence

Stage 3: Technical Interview

Stage 4: Assessment Outcome

We want to help you get you working in Australia as soon as possible. To ensure application proceeds quickly, please submit the applications completed in full with all required documentation. Please use our Occupation Specific check list before submitting your application.

Should further evidence be requested, the requested evidence must reach the offices of the Skilled Migration Assessment  Services within the notified timeframe.  Where documentation is received after the notified timeframe, the application file will be closed. Applicants will need to restart their 457 Skills Assessment process.

Please contact the Skilled Migration Assessment Services team if you require additional information.

Fees

Application fees will vary according to the occupation being assessed. Fees are outlined on the Skills Assessment application.

UPDATE: Victoria University advises new fees will apply to all skill assessment applications for Temporary Worker Visa 457 effective 01 July 2012.

Pathway 1 application forms

Pathway 1 is for applicants who do not hold a relevant Australian Qualification. Further information on Pathway 1 requirements can be found at Information for Applicants – 457.

To begin, download the Skills Assessment application form of the nominated occupation that applies to you:

Automotive occupation

Download and complete the Skills Assessment application form of the nominated occupation that applies to you:

• Automotive Electrician (ANZSCO code: 321111)
• Diesel Motor Mechanic (ANZSCO code: 321212)
• Motor Mechanic - General (ANZSCO code: 321211)
• Panel Beater (ANZSCO code: 324111)
• Vehicle Painter (ANZSCO code: 324311)

Aviation occupation

Download and complete the Skills Assessment application form of the nominated occupation that applies to you:

• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)

Construction occupation

Download and complete the Skills Assessment application form of the nominated occupation that applies to you:

• Cabinetmaker (ANZSCO Code: 394111)
• Carpenter (ANZSCO Code: 331212)
• Carpenter and Joiner (ANZSCO code: 331211)
• Joiner (ANZSCO code: 331213)

Engineering occupation

Download and complete the Skills Assessment application form of the nominated occupation that applies to you:

• Electrician - General (ANZSCO code: 341111)
• Electrician - Special Class (ANZSCO: 341112)
• Fitter - General (ANZSCO code: 323211)
• Metal Fabricator (ANZSCO code: 322311)
• Metal Fitter and Machinist (ANZSCO code: 323299)
• Metal Machinist - First Class (ANZSCO code: 323214)
• Pressure Welder (ANZSCO code: 322312)
• Sheet Metal Trades Worker (ANZSCO code: 322211)
• Welder - First Class (ANZSCO code: 322313)

Hospitality occupation

Download and complete the Skills Assessment application form of the nominated occupation that applies to you:

• Baker - Combined (ANZSCO code: 351111)
• Chef (ANZSCO code: 351311)
• Cook (ANZSCO code: 351411)
• Pastry Cook (ANZSCO code: 351112)

Pathway 2 application forms

Pathway 2 is for applicants who already hold an Australian Qualification in a relevant and directly related trade. Further information on Pathway 2 requirements can be found at Information for Applicants – 457.

Automotive occupation

Download and complete the Skills Assessment application form of the nominated occupation that applies to you:

• Automotive Electrician Pathway 2 (ANZSCO code: 321111)
• Diesel Motor Mechanic Pathway 2 (ANZSCO code: 321212)
• Motor Mechanic - General Pathway 2 (ANZSCO code: 321211)
• Panel Beater Pathway 2 (ANZSCO code: 324111)
• Vehicle Painter Pathway 2 (ANZSCO code: 324311)

Aviation occupation

Download and complete the Skills Assessment application form of the nominated occupation that applies to you

• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)

Construction occupation

Download and complete the Skills Assessment application form of the nominated occupation that applies to you:

• Cabinetmaker Pathway 2 (ANZSCO Code: 394111)
• Carpenter Pathway 2 (ANZSCO Code: 331212)
• Carpenter and Joiner Pathway 2 (ANZSCO code: 331211)
• Joiner Pathway 2 (ANZSCO code: 331213)

Engineering occupation

Download and complete the Skills Assessment application form of the nominated occupation that applies to you:

• Electrician - General Pathway 2 (ANZSCO code: 341111)
• Fitter - General Pathway 2 (ANZSCO code: 323211)
• Metal Fabricator Pathway 2 (ANZSCO code: 322311)
• Metal Machinist - First Class Pathway 2 (ANZSCO code: 323214)
• Sheet Metal Trades Worker Pathway 2 (ANZSCO code: 322211)
• Welder - First Class Pathway 2 (ANZSCO code: 322313)

Hospitality occupation

Download and complete the Skills Assessment application form of the nominated occupation that applies to you:

• Baker - Retail Baking - Combined (ANZSCO code: 351111)
• Chef (ANZSCO code: 351311)
• Cook - Asian Cookery (ANZSCO code: 351411)
• Cook - Commercial Cookery (ANZSCO code: 351411)

Processing delay: Licensed occupations

Effective 13 December 2012

Victoria University is currently reviewing the processing of the Skills Assessment for all Licensed Occupations in line with industry requirements.

Electrician (General)

Victoria University is currently conducting Practical Assessments offshore and onshore in Australia.

Plumbing

Practical assessments not are currently being conducted.

Additional Information & Forms

1. Agent Authorisation Form
2. Reassessment Policy
3. Reassessment Payment Form
4. Skilled Migration Assessment Service - Complaint Policy
5. Licenced trades regulatory bodies

Common questions

Do I need to be living in my own country to be assessed?

No.

What is the required International English Language Test Score (IELTS)?

You need a minimum IELTS of five in order to complete the 457 Skills Assessment. Find out more at the IELTS website.

Do I need to complete a TradeSET (Self-Evaluation Tool) for a Pathway 1 application?

Yes. Completing a TradeSET is mandatory for all Pathway 1 applications. It is a Trade Self Evaluation Tool to help you identify if you have the relevant skills that meet the Australian standards in your trade. Save and print a copy and include this with your skills assessment application with VU.

Do I need to complete a TradeSET (Self-Evaluation Tool) for a Pathway 2 application?

No. Because you hold an Australian qualification within the nominated occupation/trade

How long will the process take?

The process takes a maximum of seven weeks from receipt of application and payment.

How is the technical interview conducted?

You will be required to attend one of our offices to participate in a Technical Interview conducted via Skype.

Is an interpreter allowed at the technical interview?

No. The presence of an interpreter could dilute the applicant's understanding of their chosen trade and jeopardise the integrity of the assessment.

Who are the assessors?

The assessors are either employees of VU or employed by our partner Technical And Further Education Western Australia (TAFEWA) organisations.

What qualification will I receive if I'm successful?

Successful applicants will receive a Certificate III - Australian Qualification for non-licensed trades; for licensed trades they will receive an Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR). This will allow applicants to apply to the relevant state/territory licensing regulator for provisional electrical license. This permit to work allows them to work under supervision of qualified trades persons.

Does VU provide additional training?

Yes. Other options available for licence preparation training include Metals, Electrical & Plumbing, Occupational Health and Safety, IELTS preparation and Gap training. These require an additional fee. Find a course

What are the requirements for migration?

Find all current requirements for migration at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Tell me more about living in Australia

There are a range of online resources, including Live in Victoria, or start with the Life in Melbourne pages for preparing to live and work in Australia.

Contact us