Skills Assessment Australia 2026: Required Documents by Occupation

For skilled professionals aiming to migrate to Australia, the skills assessment is a pivotal hurdle — often determining eligibility for employer-sponsored visas or independent skilled migration. In 2026, the process continues to evolve, with occupation-specific requirements, detailed documentation and tighter checks shaping how applicants prepare.
This guide breaks down exactly what documents are required by different occupations, what assessors look for, and how to streamline the process. Whether one is an engineer, nurse, tradesperson or ICT specialist, this article will help demystify the skills assessment phase and avoid costly mistakes.

Page Contents

What is a Skills Assessment and Why It Matters

A skills assessment is an evaluation conducted by an authorized assessing authority to verify that an overseas applicant’s qualifications, work experience and competency meet Australian standards for their nominated occupation. The official Australian Government site outlines that many visa pathways (such as the Subclass 189, 190, 491 and employer-sponsored streams) require a positive skills assessment.

Why this matters:

A positive assessment allows proceeding to a visa application; a negative outcome can mean postponing or re-nominating occupation.
Accurate documentation reduces processing time, supports claim strength, and aligns expectations with assessors.
Occupation lists (such as the MLTSSL, STSOL) often refer to assessors’ rules; understanding document requirements by occupation is key to success.

Which Occupation Assessing Authorities Matter in 2026

Each occupation is matched to a specific assessing authority; examples include:

Engineers Australia (EA) for engineering roles
ANMAC (Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council) for nursing/midwifery
TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) for skilled trades
ACS (Australian Computer Society) for ICT occupations
Knowing which body will assess your occupation is the first step — their websites list detailed document requirements. For instance, Engineers Australia published a Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) guide for 2025-26. Applicants should always check the most recent version of the assessing authority’s document checklist, as requirements may change annually.

Key Documents Required Across Occupations

While documentation differs by occupation, the following components recur across many assessments:

Identification & Passport Copies – certified or notarized copies of passport(s) or birth certificate.
Educational Qualifications – transcripts, certificate/degree, qualification award date, study institution registration.
Employment References – detailed letters from employers showing role, dates of employment, tasks performed, hours worked.
Skills/Competency Evidence – reports, portfolios, or supervised work records demonstrating standards of the occupation.
English Language Test Results (if required by assessor) – e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, PTE.
Registration or License Evidence (for regulated occupations) – e.g., nursing registration, trade licenses, registration with AHPRA.
Currency and Relevance of Skills – some occupations require recent work within past 5-10 years.

Key takeaway: Ensure documents are certified, legible, properly translated (if needed), and aligned with the assessor’s “Occupational Competency” criteria.

Documents by Occupation: What’s Specific in 2026

Engineering (via Engineers Australia)

Degree certificate showing full duration and award date.
Academic transcript showing courses, grades, and institution details.
Work experience summary, supported by employer references stating job title, duties, hours.
Engineering competence statement for “Competency Demonstration Report” if required (for CDR route).
Residence visa status and periods of employment in other countries.

Additional note: Engineers Australia now emphasises graduate work aligned with ANZSCO code and requires at least one year of relevant experience unless applying under “Accredited Qualifications” route.

Nursing & Midwifery

Proof of registration with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency).
Detailed employment letters showing supervised practice, hours, and role responsibilities.
Qualification evidence including course provider, location and duration.
English language evidence with minimum scores (e.g., IELTS 7.0 overall or equivalent) for many nursing assessments.

New in 2026: ANMAC has updated rules requiring “proof of safe practice in Australia or equivalent environment” for migration assessment.

Skilled Trades (via TRA)

Trade certificate and transcript from issuing body.
Work history: minimum two years in last three years or a combination of training plus work.
Trade skills assessment application kit: includes detailed checklist for tasks, hours, and scope of work.
Primary source evidence: pay slips, taxation records, company references.

Important tip: Australia’s trade shortages mean many regional trades get priority — ensure occupation alignment with the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) if applicable.

ICT (via ACS)

Degree or Diploma in ICT or equivalent.
Detailed employer reference letters: must reference projects, technologies used, hours, and supervisory arrangements.
Project list: describing tasks, applications developed, roles undertaken.
Recent employment (within 5 years) or experience in the past eight years mus t cover full-time hours.

Update for 2026: ACS now accepts micro-credential evidence for certain occupations if registered with National Micro-Credential Framework (NMCF).

Accounting & Finance

Degree in accounting or commerce, or membership in a professional accounting body.
Detailed responsibilities including auditing, taxation, management accounting, with hours worked.
Continuing professional development (CPD) evidence for applicants already in the profession.
Registration/licensing if applicable (e.g., CPA Australia, CA Australia).

Key insight: Accounting roles remain tightly controlled — mismatching ANZSCO code or missing evidence of “core tasks” leads to negative assessments.

Common Problems & How to Avoid Them

Missing, vague or dated documents

Generic employer letters (e.g., “was employed from … to …”) without clear tasks/hours may be rejected. Submit letters on employer letterhead, signed by authorized persons, and that clearly list job duties aligned with ANZSCO.

Uncertified or poorly translated documents

Non-English documents must be translated by an accredited translator and certified.

Irrelevant or outdated experience

If more than 10 years have passed since the applicant held relevant work, assessors may question the currency of skills. Some authorities require recent experience (e.g., within past 5 years).

Applying under incorrect occupation code

Selecting a code that doesn’t match a person’s actual skills or role often leads to refusal. Always confirm ANZSCO code and occupation list before lodging.

Not checking updated checklists

Assessors may revise requirements year to year. Gathering outdated list materials may cause delays or rejections.

Timeline & Processing Expectations for 2026

While processing time varies with occupation and assessor load, general benchmarks apply:

Initial acknowledgement: 1-2 weeks after application.
Standard outcome: 3-6 months typical for many occupations in 2026. Some high-volume occupations may take 8-12 months.
Strategy tip: Submit your application when employment contract and key evidence are ready — avoid lodging incomplete docs just to beat a deadline.
Remember: A positive skills assessment is a prerequisite for many visa streams and opens doors to submission of a visa application.

Call to Action

If preparing for a skills assessment in Australia in 2026, start your checklist today: download the occupation-specific document list, request employer references now, and compare testing or translation costs. Share this article with colleagues seeking migration, comment with your occupation and assessment body to get peer advice, and subscribe for updates on changes and audit-alerts. Early preparation offers better outcomes.

Conclusion

Navigating the Skills Assessment Australia 2026: Required Documents by Occupation process demands attention to detail, accurate documentation and awareness of the assessing authority’s expectations. By understanding what each occupation requires — whether engineer, nurse, tradesperson or ICT professional — applicants can position themselves for a positive outcome.
Prepared applicants gather certified documents, stay current with their work experience, select the correct ANZSCO code, and submit a complete application. In doing so, the skills assessment becomes not just a hurdle, but a launchpad for migration success.