VETASSESS Professional Assessment Fees to Increase: What Applicants Should Do Before 9 September 2026
Last Updated : 19 August 2026
VETASSESS has announced that application fees for Professional Skills Assessments will increase from 9 September 2026.
This update is important for applicants planning an Australian skilled migration, employer-sponsored, DAMA, Industry Labour Agreement or post-study pathway where VETASSESS is the relevant assessing authority for the nominated occupation.
According to VETASSESS, applications received before 9 September 2026 will be charged at the current rates. Applicants who are close to lodging should review their documents, occupation and application type before the fee change takes effect.
Key Overview
Item | Details |
Change | VETASSESS Professional Skills Assessment fees will increase |
Effective date | 9 September 2026 |
Main full assessment fee change | AUD 1,096 to AUD 1,146, excluding GST |
Priority Processing fee change | AUD 825 to AUD 863, excluding GST |
Applies to | Professional Skills Assessments, Priority Processing, Skills Assessment Support, Chinese Qualifications Verification, non-migration skills assessments and administration fees |
Does not apply to | Trade occupation skills assessments |
Source | VETASSESS official announcement and August 2026 fee schedule |
What Is Changing?
From 9 September 2026, VETASSESS will increase fees for Professional Skills Assessments in line with inflation.
The main fee change confirmed in the VETASSESS August 2026 fee schedule is:
VETASSESS service | Current fee | New fee from 9 September 2026 |
Full Skills Assessment, including DAMA and Industry Labour Agreements | AUD 1,096 | AUD 1,146 |
Priority Processing supplementary fee | AUD 825 | AUD 863 |
Points Test Advice for non-VETASSESS occupations | AUD 311 | AUD 325 |
Post-485 Assessment under the same occupation | AUD 852 | AUD 891 |
Reassessment within 12 months | AUD 745 | AUD 779 |
Appeal within 90 days | AUD 1,082 | AUD 1,132 |
Renewal of Skills Assessment within 3 years | AUD 473 | AUD 495 |
VETASSESS states that the fees in the August 2026 fee schedule do not include Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST). Applicants should check whether GST applies to their situation before calculating the final amount payable.
Who Is Affected by the VETASSESS Fee Increase?
This fee increase affects applicants using VETASSESS for Professional Skills Assessments.
VETASSESS lists professional occupation areas including science, health and agriculture, arts and education, business and finance, construction and manufacturing, and hospitality and retail.
The fee increase may matter if you are preparing a skills assessment for:
A skilled migration pathway
An employer-sponsored visa pathway
A DAMA pathway
An Industry Labour Agreement pathway
A Post-Vocational Education Work stream assessment
A reassessment, review, appeal or renewal
Priority Processing
Chinese Qualifications Verification
The Department of Home Affairs explains that skills assessments are issued by relevant skills assessing authorities, and that each authority has its own procedures, timeframes and charges. You can check the official Department of Home Affairs skills assessment page for general information.
Who Is Not Affected?
The VETASSESS announcement confirms that the increase does not apply to assessments for trade occupations.
This distinction is important because VETASSESS handles different assessment categories. A trade occupation assessment is not the same as a VETASSESS Professional Skills Assessment.
If you are unsure whether your occupation is professional, general or trade-related, check the relevant assessing authority before lodging. You can also review RACC’s general guide to migration skills assessment and the RACC occupation lists page.
Why This Matters for Australian Skilled Migration Applicants
A skills assessment is often a key step in Australian migration planning.
The Department of Home Affairs states that applicants for points-tested General Skilled Migration visas, including the Skilled Independent visa subclass 189, Skilled Nominated visa subclass 190 and Skilled Work Regional visa subclass 491, must have a suitable skills assessment for their nominated occupation.
For many applicants, this means the skills assessment must be planned before submitting or relying on an Expression of Interest.
A VETASSESS fee increase may not change your eligibility, but it can affect your total application budget and timing. Applicants preparing for Australian migration from overseas or inside Australia should check:
Whether VETASSESS is the correct assessing authority
Whether the nominated occupation is suitable for the intended visa pathway
Whether the assessment required is for migration, 485, DAMA, ILA, review, reassessment or renewal
Whether documents are complete enough to lodge before 9 September 2026
Whether Priority Processing is available and appropriate
For broader planning, you may also read RACC’s EOI checklist for skilled migration visa 189, 190 and 491.
What Should Applicants Do Before 9 September 2026?
If you are considering a VETASSESS Professional Skills Assessment, the most important step is not simply to lodge quickly. It is to lodge correctly.
Before 9 September 2026, applicants should consider the following steps.
1. Confirm That VETASSESS Is the Correct Assessing Authority
Not every occupation is assessed by VETASSESS.
The Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation list identifies occupations and their relevant assessing authorities. VETASSESS also has an official occupation search tool for checking whether it assesses your occupation.
Before paying any fee, confirm:
Your nominated occupation
The ANZSCO code
The relevant assessing authority
The visa pathway you are considering
Whether the assessment type matches your migration purpose
This is especially important if your occupation could sit close to another occupation category.
2. Review Your Qualification and Employment Evidence
VETASSESS states that a full skills assessment involves assessing both qualifications and employment against the nominated occupation.
For a professional or general skills application, VETASSESS explains that qualifications are assessed against the Australian Qualifications Framework and employment is assessed to determine whether it is relevant and at an appropriate skill level.
Before lodging, check whether your documents are complete, consistent and clear. This may include:
Passport and identity documents
Qualification certificates
Academic transcripts
Employment references
Position descriptions
Payslips or income evidence, where required
Evidence matching the nominated occupation
Any required translations or verification documents
VETASSESS notes that incomplete or insufficient documents can delay processing.
3. Check the Current Processing Times
As verified on 19 August 2026, VETASSESS lists the processing time for Skills Assessment for Migration - Professional Occupations as 7 weeks, with processing potentially taking longer depending on complexity and document sufficiency.
VETASSESS also lists Priority Processing as 10 business days after an application is confirmed as eligible for Priority Processing. Priority Processing is available for professional and general occupations, but VETASSESS states it is not offered for trade occupations.
Applicants should not assume that Priority Processing is suitable for every case. You should check the official VETASSESS current processing times and Priority Processing page before deciding.
4. Decide Whether to Lodge Before the Fee Increase
If your application is already complete and your occupation has been checked, lodging before 9 September 2026 may allow your application to be charged at the current rate, according to VETASSESS.
However, applicants should be careful about lodging an incomplete or poorly matched application just to avoid the fee increase.
A rushed application may lead to delays, document requests or an unsuitable outcome if the occupation, evidence or assessment type is not appropriate.
A practical approach is:
If your documents are ready: review and lodge before 9 September 2026 if appropriate.
If your documents are incomplete: prioritise accuracy before speed.
If your occupation is uncertain: confirm the correct assessing authority before lodging.
If your visa strategy is unclear: seek professional advice before paying assessment fees.
5. Check Whether GST Applies
The new VETASSESS fee schedule states that the listed new fees do not include Australian GST.
VETASSESS currently explains on its fees page that application fees include GST if the applicant is an Australian resident for tax purposes. Applicants should refer to the Australian Taxation Office for tax residency information and confirm the final amount payable through VETASSESS before lodging.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these mistakes before lodging a VETASSESS Professional Skills Assessment:
Choosing the wrong nominated occupation
Assuming VETASSESS assesses every skilled occupation
Lodging without checking the occupation requirements
Using a 485 assessment where a migration skills assessment is required
Assuming Priority Processing guarantees a positive result
Ignoring GST when budgeting
Waiting until the last moment to prepare employment evidence
Submitting unclear or inconsistent documents
Treating the skills assessment as a visa approval
A skills assessment is only one part of the broader Australian visa process. Visa eligibility may also depend on occupation lists, age, English, points, nomination, sponsorship, work experience, health, character and other requirements depending on the visa subclass.
How RACC Australia Can Help
RACC Australia is based in Melbourne, Victoria and assists clients in Australia and overseas with education and migration pathways.
If you are preparing for a VETASSESS assessment, RACC can help you understand how the skills assessment may fit into your broader Australian study, work or migration plan.
This may include guidance on:
Selecting the appropriate migration pathway
Understanding skills assessment requirements
Checking occupation and visa pathway alignment
Preparing for skilled migration pathways
Reviewing education-to-migration planning
Understanding next steps after a skills assessment outcome
You can learn more about RACC’s migration services, migration skills assessment guidance, and Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa information.
FAQs
When will the VETASSESS Professional Skills Assessment fee increase start?
The fee increase starts from 9 September 2026, according to VETASSESS.
How much will the VETASSESS full skills assessment fee be from 9 September 2026?
The VETASSESS August 2026 fee schedule lists the Full Skills Assessment fee as increasing from AUD 1,096 to AUD 1,146, excluding GST.
Does the VETASSESS fee increase apply to trade occupations?
No. VETASSESS states that the increase does not apply to assessments for trade occupations.
Will applications lodged before 9 September 2026 use the current fee?
VETASSESS states that any application received before 9 September 2026 will be charged at current rates.
Is Priority Processing also increasing?
Yes. The Priority Processing supplementary fee is listed as increasing from AUD 825 to AUD 863, excluding GST.
Should I rush my VETASSESS application before 9 September 2026?
Not necessarily. If your application is complete and your occupation is correct, lodging before the fee increase may be useful. If your documents are incomplete or your occupation is uncertain, you should resolve those issues first.
Is a VETASSESS skills assessment the same as a visa application?
No. A skills assessment is separate from a visa application. The Department of Home Affairs explains that skills assessments are issued by relevant assessing authorities and may be required for certain visa subclasses or streams.
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