VETASSESS has announced an increase to its Professional Skills Recognition assessment fees, effective from 9 September 2026.
For many skilled migration applicants, a positive skills assessment is an essential first step towards an Australian visa pathway. VETASSESS assesses a wide range of professional occupations, and applicants planning to lodge soon should be aware of the revised costs before submitting an application.
Key fee changes
The standard Full Skills Assessment fee will rise from AUD $1,096 to AUD $1,146. This applies to standard assessments, including applications connected to Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) and Industry Labour Agreements (ILA).
The supplementary Priority Processing fee will increase from AUD $825 to AUD $863.
For applicants requiring Points Test Advice for an occupation not assessed by VETASSESS, the fee will increase from AUD $311 to AUD $325.
The fee to renew an existing skills assessment within the permitted timeframe will rise from AUD $473 to AUD $495. A reassessment will increase from AUD $745 to AUD $779, while an appeal will increase from AUD $1,082 to AUD $1,132.
Applicants using the Post-Vocational Education Work visa (subclass 485) assessment process will see the standard fee rise from AUD $416 to AUD $436. Review and reassessment fees under this pathway will also increase.
VETASSESS has also revised several review fees. Depending on the outcome being reviewed and whether it relates to qualifications, employment, or both, revised review fees will range from AUD $356 to AUD $955.
All figures are stated in Australian dollars and do not include Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST), where GST is applicable.
What this means for Australian migration applicants
Although the increases are not substantial individually, a skills assessment is one part of a wider Australian migration budget. Applicants may also need to account for English language testing, qualification verification, state nomination fees, visa application charges and associated documentation costs.
If your occupation is assessed by VETASSESS and your documents are ready, lodging before 9 September 2026 may allow you to access the current fee schedule. That said, applicants should not rush an application before their evidence is properly prepared. A weak or incomplete application can create far greater cost and delay than the fee increase itself.
How New World Immigration can assist
Choosing the right occupation, confirming eligibility and presenting employment evidence correctly are critical parts of the VETASSESS process. At New World Immigration, we help clients understand the relevant criteria, assess their likely eligibility and prepare a clear, well-supported application strategy.
If you are considering skilled migration to Australia, now is a sensible time to establish your eligibility and plan for the assessment stage.