If you're applying for an Australian skilled migration visa, you need a skills assessment from an approved body. The two largest assessment bodies are VETASSESS and ACS (Australian Computer Society), and choosing between them is not optional: your occupation determines which one assesses you. This guide cuts through the confusion and helps you understand which body handles your occupation, how long assessment takes, and what happens after you get your result.
What VETASSESS and ACS Actually Do
VETASSESS and ACS are Skilled Migration Occupation Assessment Bodies (SMOABs) recognised by the Department of Home Affairs. They evaluate whether your work experience, qualifications, and English language skills meet Australian standards for your nominated occupation. A positive assessment is a hard requirement for skilled migration visas like the 189 (Independent), 190 (State Sponsored), and 491 (Regional Sponsored) visas.
The critical difference: your occupation determines which body assesses you. You do not choose. VETASSESS handles over 388 occupations across trades, healthcare, engineering, accounting, and hospitality. ACS assesses all Information and Communications Technology occupations, including software engineers, systems analysts, ICT project managers, web developers, database administrators, and network administrators.
If your occupation sits with ACS, you must use ACS. If it sits with VETASSESS, you must use VETASSESS. There is no switching or shopping around.
VETASSESS: Occupations, Timelines, and the 2026 Changes
VETASSESS covers the broadest range of occupations. If you work in skilled trades, nursing, allied health, engineering, accounting, hospitality management, or dozens of other fields, VETASSESS is your assessment body.
How Long Does VETASSESS Take?
VETASSESS assessments commonly take around eight to twelve weeks overall. This includes the time from submission to receiving your result. The exact timeframe depends on the completeness of your application, how quickly you provide additional documents if requested, and current processing volume. Submitting a complete application with all required documents upfront speeds things up.
How Long Is Your VETASSESS Result Valid?
A positive VETASSESS skills assessment is valid for three years from the date of issue. This matters because you must have a valid assessment at the time you are invited to apply for your visa. If your assessment expires before you receive an invitation, you will need to apply for reassessment.
VETASSESS Pathway 1 Changes from January 2026
From January 1, 2026, VETASSESS Pathway 1 requires a Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital Skills (LLND) assessment submitted with your documents. This is a new requirement. If you are planning to apply under Pathway 1, you must include evidence of LLND assessment as part of your application package. This adds a step and potentially extra cost, so plan ahead if you are targeting a January 2026 or later application.
VETASSESS Assessment Pathways
VETASSESS offers multiple pathways depending on your qualifications and experience. Pathway 1 is for applicants with a relevant qualification and work experience. Pathway 2 is for applicants with substantial work experience but no formal qualification. Pathway 3 is for applicants with a qualification from a non-English-speaking country. Each pathway has different document requirements and evidence thresholds. Check the VETASSESS website to confirm which pathway suits your profile before applying.
ACS: ICT Occupations and Processing
If you work in Information and Communications Technology, ACS is your sole assessment body. ACS assesses software engineers, systems analysts, ICT project managers, web developers, database administrators, network administrators, and all other ICT roles listed on the ACS occupation list.
ACS Assessment Scope and Occupations
ACS covers all Information and Communications Technology occupations. If your job title or role sits outside ICT (for example, you are a business analyst in a non-ICT context, or an IT trainer in a teaching role), you may fall outside ACS scope and need to check with ACS directly or consider VETASSESS if you are eligible. The ACS website lists all occupations they assess.
ACS Result Validity
Like VETASSESS, your ACS assessment result is valid for three years from the date of issue. You must hold a valid assessment at the time of visa invitation. If your assessment is about to expire and you have not yet received an invitation, you will need to reapply.
ACS Processing and Application Requirements
ACS requires detailed evidence of your ICT work experience, qualifications, and English language proficiency. You will need to provide references from employers, evidence of your roles and responsibilities, and documentation of your formal qualifications. ACS is thorough and may request additional information during assessment. Submitting a complete, well-documented application reduces delays.
Side-by-Side Comparison: VETASSESS vs ACS
Here is how the two bodies compare across key factors:
| Factor | VETASSESS | ACS |
|---|---|---|
| Occupations Covered | Over 388 occupations (trades, healthcare, engineering, accounting, hospitality, etc.) | All Information and Communications Technology occupations |
| Processing Time | Eight to twelve weeks | Varies (check ACS website for current timeframe) |
| Result Validity | Three years from issue date | Three years from issue date |
| Key 2026 Change | Pathway 1 now requires LLND assessment (from Jan 1, 2026) | No major announced changes |
| Who Chooses? | Your occupation determines this. You do not choose. | Your occupation determines this. You do not choose. |
How to Know Which Body Assesses Your Occupation
The Department of Home Affairs maintains an official list of all occupations and their corresponding assessment bodies. Before you apply, check this list to confirm whether VETASSESS or ACS (or another body) assesses your occupation.
Visit the Department of Home Affairs website and search for your occupation code and title. The list clearly states which SMOAK assesses each occupation. If you are unsure, contact VETASSESS or ACS directly with your occupation code and they will confirm whether they assess you.
Do not assume based on your job title. For example, an IT business analyst might be assessed by ACS, but a business analyst in a non-ICT industry might fall under VETASSESS. Confirm before you apply.
Making Your Decision: Choose Based on Your Occupation
Your occupation determines which body assesses you. There is no decision to make between VETASSESS and ACS based on preference, cost, or speed. The decision is made for you by the Department of Home Affairs occupation list.
What you should do:
- Check the Department of Home Affairs occupation list to confirm which body assesses your occupation.
- Visit that body's website (VETASSESS or ACS) and review the specific requirements for your occupation and visa pathway.
- Gather all required documents: qualifications, work references, employment history, English language test results, and any other evidence the body requests.
- Submit a complete application. Incomplete applications delay processing.
- Allow eight to twelve weeks for VETASSESS, or check ACS for current processing times.
- Once you receive a positive result, note the expiry date. You must have a valid assessment when you are invited to apply for your visa.
If your occupation is not listed with either VETASSESS or ACS, check whether another approved assessment body handles it. The Department of Home Affairs recognises several other bodies for specific occupations.
Useful Official Sources
- Department of Home Affairs: Skilled Migration Occupation Assessment Bodies
- Home Affairs: Skilled Migration Visas
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know whether VETASSESS or ACS assesses my occupation?
Check the Department of Home Affairs occupation list on their website. Search your occupation code and title, and the list will show which approved assessment body handles your occupation. You do not choose between them; your occupation determines which body assesses you.
How long does a VETASSESS assessment take?
VETASSESS assessments commonly take around eight to twelve weeks from submission to result. The exact timeframe depends on how complete your application is and how quickly you provide any additional documents if requested.
How long is my skills assessment result valid for?
Both VETASSESS and ACS assessment results are valid for three years from the date of issue. You must have a valid assessment at the time you are invited to apply for your visa. If your assessment expires before you receive an invitation, you will need to reapply.
What is the LLND assessment requirement for VETASSESS from January 2026?
From January 1, 2026, VETASSESS Pathway 1 requires a Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital Skills (LLND) assessment to be submitted with your application documents. This is a new requirement for Pathway 1 applicants.
Can I apply to both VETASSESS and ACS for the same occupation?
No. Your occupation is assessed by only one approved body. You must apply to the body designated for your occupation by the Department of Home Affairs. Applying to the wrong body will result in rejection.
What occupations does ACS assess?
ACS assesses all Information and Communications Technology occupations, including software engineers, systems analysts, ICT project managers, web developers, database administrators, and network administrators.
What happens if my assessment result expires before I get a visa invitation?
If your assessment expires before you receive an invitation to apply, you will need to reapply for assessment. The new assessment will have a new three-year validity period. Plan ahead if your assessment is approaching expiry and you have not yet received an invitation.
This is general information only. It is not legal, migration, financial, tax, medical, or professional advice. Always check official sources before acting.