Failed Skills Assessment: Can You Appeal?

A failed skills assessment does not always end your Australian migration pathway.

Your options may include a review, appeal or reassessment. The available process depends on your assessing authority.

There is no single appeal process for every Australian migration skills assessment.

The option also depends on your assessment type and the reason for the unsuccessful outcome.

Do not immediately submit a new application after receiving a negative result.

First, check your outcome letter and the current process set by your assessing authority.

What is the difference between a review, appeal and reassessment?

These terms can sound similar, but they can have different purposes.

The exact meaning depends on the assessing authority.

For example, VETASSESS has separate processes for reviews, appeals and reassessments.

Choosing the wrong option could affect your deadline or the evidence you can submit.

How does a VETASSESS review work after a failed skills assessment?

VETASSESS allows applicants to request a review after an unsuccessful professional skills assessment.

The review must be lodged within 90 days of the original assessment decision.

A different team of assessors conducts the review.

Applicants can provide additional evidence with their review request.

This can include qualifications, employment information, supporting documents and declarations.

VETASSESS expects the review application to be decision-ready.

If the review remains unfavourable, an appeal may be available.

The appeal must be submitted within 90 days of the review outcome.

The appeal outcome is final, with no further appeal available through this process.

VETASSESS also provides a reassessment pathway in certain circumstances.

For a Not Suitable outcome, reassessment for the same occupation is available after the 90-day review period.

The reassessment must be lodged within 12 months of the original assessment decision.

A different occupation can also be assessed within the applicable 12-month period.

Can you appeal an ACS skills assessment?

Yes. ACS provides a two-level appeal process for its Migration Skills Assessment.

A Level 1 appeal is an internal review by a senior assessor who was not involved in the original assessment.

You can provide additional evidence with a Level 1 appeal if it may affect the outcome.

A Level 1 appeal must be lodged within 60 days of receiving the assessment outcome.

If you disagree with the Level 1 result, a Level 2 external appeal may be available.

A Level 2 appeal must be lodged within 30 days of receiving the Level 1 outcome.

Additional records and documents cannot be provided for a Level 2 appeal.

After the relevant deadline, ACS requires a new application.

The date on your assessment outcome letter is therefore important.

Can you appeal an Engineers Australia skills assessment?

Engineers Australia provides a review and appeal process for eligible assessment types.

A review must generally be requested within three months of the assessment outcome.

The review considers the information used in the original assessment.

New evidence can only be submitted if the assessor requests it or allows it under exceptional circumstances.

If the review does not change the outcome, you may lodge an appeal.

An appeal must generally be lodged within six months of the original assessment outcome.

The appeal is the final step in the process.

An independent appeal panel considers the appeal.

Can you review a failed TRA skills assessment?

Yes. Trades Recognition Australia allows unsuccessful Migration Skills Assessment applicants to request a review.

The review must generally be requested within 28 days of the assessment outcome.

The review considers information from your original application.

You can also submit additional evidence with the review application.

TRA also allows applicants to submit a new Migration Skills Assessment application.

A new application is a separate process and receives a new reference number.

The better option depends on why your original assessment was unsuccessful.

Can you appeal an AITSL skills assessment?

Yes. AITSL allows applicants to request a formal appeal after an unsuitable assessment outcome.

AITSL recommends first clarifying why the application was found unsuitable.

If you still disagree, you can request an appeal within 60 days of the assessment outcome.

An independent reviewer considers the original application and relevant additional evidence.

The evidence must show that you met the assessment criteria at the time of the original assessment.

New qualifications or results obtained after the assessment require a new assessment application.

This distinction can affect whether an appeal or new application is appropriate.

What if your skills assessment failed because of missing evidence?

Missing or insufficient evidence does not automatically mean you must start again.

First, check whether your assessing authority allows additional evidence during a review or appeal.

VETASSESS allows additional evidence during its review and appeal processes.

ACS allows additional evidence for a Level 1 appeal.

However, ACS does not allow additional records for a Level 2 appeal.

Engineers Australia has different rules for new evidence during reviews.

Identify the exact evidence gap before deciding what to submit.

What if you disagree with the assessing authority's decision?

A disagreement alone does not guarantee a successful review or appeal.

You need to explain why the decision should be reconsidered under the authority's criteria.

Start with the specific reason given in your outcome letter.

Then identify the evidence that addresses that reason.

The issue may relate to:

• Qualification relevance
• Employment evidence
• Employment duration
• Occupational duties
• Professional experience
• Skills demonstrated
• Documents provided
• Assessment pathway

Your next step should match the reason for the unsuccessful outcome.

Should you appeal or submit a new skills assessment?

There is no universal answer.

Your decision should depend on why the assessment failed and what has changed since the original application.

The available options differ between assessing authorities.

Always check the authority's current rules before paying for another assessment.

Can a failed skills assessment affect your Australian PR application?

Yes. A skills assessment can be an important requirement for skilled migration pathways.

Home Affairs requires applicants to obtain a skills assessment in their nominated occupation before submitting an EOI.

This applies to the SkillSelect pathways for subclasses 189, 190 and 491.

You must include your skills assessment details in your EOI.

The relevant occupation and assessing authority depend on your nominated occupation and visa pathway.

A failed assessment can therefore affect your ability to proceed with a particular skilled migration pathway.

It does not necessarily mean every Australian migration option is closed.

What should you check before appealing a skills assessment?

Before submitting a review or appeal, check these points:

Do not wait until your deadline is close.

Some authorities have strict time limits.

Missing the applicable period may leave you with a different process or require a new application.

Start with your outcome letter.

Identify the exact reason for the unsuccessful assessment.

Then check your authority's current review or appeal deadline before choosing your next step.