Documents to Prepare for a VETASSESS Skills Assessment

Why a VETASSESS file differs from an ACS or EA file

VETASSESS assesses both your qualification and your work experience against a dual criterion — fall short on either one and the outcome is “Negative”. This means a VETASSESS application is not simply a matter of submitting a degree and a CV; you need to demonstrate that:

Your qualification is comparable to the Australian standard for the specific occupation (not just the broad field)
You have genuine work experience in that exact occupation within the most recent five years

The weakest applications usually fall down on point 2 — the degree is right, but the work is vaguely described, or the actual role does not match the ANZSCO code being nominated.

Qualification documents

Core qualifications:

Bachelor degree (or higher) in the relevant field — original or certified copy
Full academic transcript — every subject, credit points and grades
Course descriptions (subject outlines): This is an important document. VETASSESS needs to understand what each subject covered. Obtain it from the university website or the institution’s academic office — it is not the same as the transcript.
Certified English translations for any document not in English

If you hold more than one qualification: Submit all relevant qualifications. Sometimes a combination of two awards (for example, a Bachelor of Business plus a Master of Human Resource Management) is what makes you eligible for a particular ANZSCO code.

A CV in VETASSESS format

VETASSESS requires a CV structured in a specific way, not an ordinary job-seeking CV. The CV must include:

For each position held:

Company name + full address + website (if any)
Job title exactly as it appears on the employment contract
Start and end dates (month/year) or “to date”
Hours worked per week (full-time/part-time)
Detailed duties: This is the most important part. List each specific task rather than a general description. For example, instead of “managed human resources”, write specifically: “recruited and interviewed staff from executive to entry level”, “built KPIs and a performance-review process for Department X of Y employees”, “resolved workplace disputes in line with the relevant labour law”.

Order: List from most recent to oldest (reverse chronological).

Employer reference letters

The reference letter must match the CV and provide additional verifying detail. Submit a letter for each position in the most recent five years, plus any key earlier positions.

The letter must include:

Company letterhead, or at minimum full contact details
The name and title of the signatory (HR Manager, Director, or business owner)
The candidate’s full name
Job title and start/end dates
Hours worked per week
A description of specific duties — to the same level of detail as the CV, or confirmation that the CV is accurate
Signature and company stamp (if applicable)
Certified English translation

If the company has closed or will not cooperate: VETASSESS accepts an employment contract + payslips + a statutory declaration explaining why a reference letter is unavailable. This is a last resort, and VETASSESS will scrutinise it more closely.

English language

VETASSESS requires an English test result for the Professional Assessment:

IELTS Academic: overall 6.0, with no band below 5.0 (the minimum; some occupations require higher)
Many occupations require an overall IELTS of 6.5–7.0 — check the specific requirement for your ANZSCO code on the VETASSESS website

English evidence expires after three years. You must submit a result that is still valid at the time you lodge.

Pre-lodgement checklist

Required documents:

Qualifications (certified copy + English translation)
Full academic transcript + course descriptions
CV in VETASSESS format (complete company details + detailed duties)
Employer reference letters — every position in the most recent five years
A valid English test result
Passport (photo page)

Check before you submit:

Experience in the most recent five years totals at least one year (counted in actual months, not estimated)
The duties described in the CV and the reference letters match each other
The chosen ANZSCO code matches your actual occupation (not the closest code — it must be the exact one)
All Vietnamese-language documents have a certified translation

Processing time and review

VETASSESS processing time: check the VETASSESS website for current information (commonly 8–12 weeks for a complete application). Lodge at least four to six months before your visa deadline.

A “Negative” outcome can be appealed (review) within the prescribed timeframe. See the appeal guidance in the related VETASSESS skills assessment article.