Australia Makes Key Changes in Assessment Fees for Professional & General Occupations
VETASSESS has recently updated the assessment fees for numerous Australian occupations. The assessment fee for professional and general jobs in Australia will increase from November 20, 2024.
The price adjustment is intended to ensure the viability of the assessment procedure. It will also be consistent with the inflation rate. This major change is the first fee adjustment since July 2023, emphasizing the importance of keeping up with economic changes.
“VETASSESS has reviewed these assessment fees in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to make sure they remain appropriate and sustained”.
Background to the Story
However, the present cost structure for assessing various jobs varies depending on the type of occupation and the applicant’s residency status. Professional occupations on the VETASSESS list typically require a higher level of education and specialized skills, such as marketing professionals, management consultants, health diagnostic and promotion professionals, judicial and other legal professionals, visual arts and crafts professionals, etc.
On the other hand, general occupations typically include a wide range of occupations or roles on the VETASSESS occupations list that do not require extensive qualifications, such as building and engineering technicians, technical sales representatives, hospitality, retail and service managers, and others.
Previous adjustments to the assessment fee structure were implemented in July 2023. These revisions were made in response to the economic conditions of the time while ensuring that the fees were sustainable and fair to both applicants and assessment authorities.
Key Changes to Assessment Fees for Professional and General Occupations
According to news updates on VETASSESS’s official website, a new pricing structure has been implemented, with significant increases in application costs for the evaluation of both professional and general occupations in Australia.
For example, the cost of a full skills assessment for professional occupations will rise for both onshore applicants who live in Australia and offshore applicants who apply from outside Australia. Similarly, assessment fees for general jobs will increase proportionally for all applicants.
New Pricing Structure for Professional and General Occupations
Here’s a new pricing structure for several professional and general occupations:
| Service Categories | Current Fees (AUD) | New Fees (AUD) |
| Full Skills Assessment – including Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) and Industry Labour Agreements (ILA) | $1033 | $1070 |
| Priority Processing – supplementary fee for applicable applications | $806 | $806 |
| Points Test Advice (non-VETASSESS occupations) | $293 | $304 |
| 485 Assessment | $392 | $406 |
| Post-485 Assessment (under the same occupation) | $803 | $832 |
Review of Assessment Outcome (within 90 days) (includes DAMA and ILA)
| Service Categories | Current Fees (AUD) | New Fees (AUD) |
| Qualification only (Negative due to qualification) | $320 | $332 |
| Employment only (Negative due to any reason except qualification) | $575 | $595 |
| Both Qualification and Employment (Negative due to any reason including qualification) | $861 | $892 |
| Reassessment – Change of occupation | $702 | $728 |
| Appeal | $1020 | $1057 |
| Renewal of Skills Assessment | $446 | $462 |
Note: the Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) is not included in the new assessment costs. However, this new pricing structure will be implemented on November 20, 2024.
Skill Assessment Support (SAS)
| Service Categories | Current Fees | New Fees |
| SAS Consultation Service for Migration Agents and Lawyers | $349 | $362 |
| SAS Consultation Service for Applicants | $247 | $256 |
| SAS Document Checking Service | $161 | $167 |
Chinese Qualification Verification (CQV)
| Service Categories | Current Fees | New Fees |
| Degree Certificate | $140 | $145 |
| Certificate of Graduation | $140 | $145 |
| Academic transcript or exam record | $172 | $178 |
Complimentary Health Therapies Assessment (CHT)
| Service Categories | Current Fees | New Fees |
| CHT – Qualifications Assessment | $376 | $389 |
| CHT – Additional Modality | $215 | $223 |
Psychotherapy and Counselling Qualifications Assessment (PACFA).
| Service Categories | Current Fees | New Fees |
| PACFA – Qualification assessment against AQF | $269 | $278 |
| PACFA – Qualifications assessment against AQF and PACFA Training Standards |
Financial Advisers Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA)
| Service Categories | Current Fees | New Fees |
| Qualifications comparison to the AQF | $269 | $278 |
Administrative Fees – General
| Service Categories | Current Fees | New Fees |
| Reopening of closed application | $161 | $167 |
| Refund – non-Priority Processing application (for which more than $400 was paid) | $161 | $167 |
| Refund – Priority Processing application | $161 | $167 |
| Refund – CHT, PACFA, FASEA | $64 | $67 |
| SAS consultation refund | $43 | $45 |
| SAS document check refund | $32 | $33 |
| CQV or Points Test (non-VETASSESS) refund where total refundable amount is less than $200 | $32 | $33 |
| CQV or Points Test (non-VETASSESS) refund where total refundable amount is between $200 and $299 | $43 | | $45 |
| CQV or Points Test (non-VETASSESS) refund where total refundable amount is $300 or more | $64 | $67 |
| Reissue of outcome letter | $71 | $73 |
Other Service Categories.
| Service Categories | Current Fees | New Fees |
| AMI Credentials | $220 | $228 |
Note: The Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) is not included in the new assessment costs. This new price structure will be implemented beginning November 20, 2024.
What is a skills assessment?
An abilities Assessment is the procedure by which VETASSESS examines applicants’ qualifications, abilities, and work experience to see if they match the standard requirements for the nominated occupation in Australia. This evaluation is required for those planning to come to Australia under the General Skilled Migration Programs.
What would be the impact of the fee increase on stakeholders?
However, this fee increase is due to inflation adjustments and the necessity to pay increased costs associated with administering the exams. However, there may be certain effects on various stakeholders after this fee assessment takes effect on November 20, 2024.
For example, the high evaluation price for professionals and general occupation workers may impose additional financial hardship. However, this considerable change is required to ensure the quality and efficiency of the VETASSESS evaluation process in Australia.
Benefits of Changing Assessment Fees for Professional and General Occupations
However, with the rapid increase in assessment costs for Australian professional and general vocations, applicants may encounter new challenges and constraints. However, there are some possible benefits, such as:
1. Fast Processing Times
With the added money, assessment procedures will be faster and more efficient, reducing the time it takes to analyze or evaluate applications.
2. Improved services.
More money allows assessment bodies or authorities, such as VETASSESS, to invest in better resources, technology, and staff training, resulting in higher quality and more trustworthy evaluations for applicants.
3. Sustainability
Regular fee modifications will provide more money to ensure financial sustainability throughout the assessment process. It will enable these assessment bodies to continue providing assessment services without compromising quality.
4. Quality assurance.
This fee adjustment can also help to fund stringent quality assurance measures to ensure that assessments are thorough and fulfill all the high criteria of occupational assessment.
Conclusion
So you understand that the planned revisions to assessment fees for professional and general vocations in Australia require modifications. This will bring the assessment process in line with inflation while also ensuring its sustainability. Although this cost increase may provide some issues for some applicants, it is also projected to result in different improvements in service quality and processing times.
Despite the increases in evaluation costs for professional and general jobs, you are advised to apply for your previous Australia visa by November 20. This allows you to take advantage of the current fee structure.
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