ASSESSMENT AND RECOGNITION

'Recognition' means that overseas qualifications and skills are accepted (recognised) in Australia. Recognition can be formal or informal:

• Formal recognition is done by certain authorities (organizations). In order to formally recognise overseas skills and qualifications these authorities 'assess' them, this means that they compare them to Australian skills and qualifications.
• Informal recognition means that an employer decides to accept your skills and qualifications without the need for an authority to assess them.

The information in this section relates to formal recognition.

Documents need to be translated before they are submitted to an authority for assessment. Click on Translation of Documents for information about where you can get your documents translated.

In Australia no single authority assesses or recognises all overseas qualifications. Many professional, government and other organisations are involved, depending on the type of qualification or occupation and whether the assessment is for the purpose of migration, further study or employment

As a general rule;

• If you require recognition of your qualifications for migration, you need to seek advice from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA);
• If you require recognition of your qualifications for further training or study, you need to seek recognition from the individual training or educational institution;
• If you require recognition of your qualifications for employment purposes the employer will need to be satisfied that you meet the requirements for the job. In the case of regulated occupations, you must have recognition from the relevant licensing or registering authority.

For more information click on a link below, please note that this Guide mainly provides information for employment purposes.

reviewed Aug 2006