Application process

If you are seeking a skills assessment for migration purposes, you will need to create an account to access the skills assessment portal and submit the online form. 

Skills assessment portal

The skills assessment portal is where you will manage your skills assessment. Through the portal you can: 

• apply online 

• check the status of a pending application 

• download your outcome certificate 

You will receive an email when an assessing officer makes a change to the status of your application, including when your outcome is ready. 

Before you prepare and submit your application, ensure that you have read the FAQs and Community Work Australia’s fraud management policy. 

Online form

Please do not use capslock/all capitals when completing the online form. 

• If you are applying for a skills assessment under the general skilled migration program, select ‘Submit a new skills assessment – General skilled visa occupations (MLTSSL and STSOL)’ 

• If you are applying for a skills assessment under DAMA, select ‘Submit a new skills assessment – Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA – WA) occupations’ 

• If you are applying for a skills assessment under the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement, select ‘Submit a new skills assessment – Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement (ACILA) occupations’ 

Processing time

The processing times for general skilled visa, DAMA and ACILA applications are as follows: 

This is an approximate timeframe only. Applications can take longer if, for example, documents are missing from an application, or there are complications verifying documents or contacting referees/employers. Please ensure that your application is decision-ready, with no documents missing, and that all contact details provided in your application are current. 

Fast-tracking

We do not offer a fast-track service with an associated fee. The processing timeframe for skills assessment is approximately 10-12 weeks from the date of submission with payment. Applicants are urged to plan ahead and submit a decision-ready application knowing that it may take up to 12 weeks to be processed. If you require your application to be processed urgently, you may submit a priority request toassessments@communitywork.org.auonly after an application has been formally submitted. Please note that a priority request must be substantiated with documentary evidence. 

Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis and approval is not guaranteed. Requests without sufficient evidence or legitimate reasoning will be rejected. If your request is approved, we will endeavour to issue your outcome considering the deadline provided, however we cannot guarantee an outcome within any given timeframe. Please plan ahead. 

Using a migration agent

We will not discuss your application with other people unless you authorise us to do so. If you want someone to act on your behalf, you will need to attach a signed Form 956 authorising this person to act as your agent. The address used for correspondence will be that nominated on the form. 

Communicating with the assessment team

Assessment officers are not available via phone. If you need to update your contact details, emailassessments@communitywork.org.auand include your Application ID in the subject line. 

Please note: 

✔ Assessment team is only available via email 
✔ Email response time is 7 days 
✔ If you have lodged an application, you must include your Application ID 
✖ Do not send multiple follow up emails or ‘cc’ multiple Community Work Australia accounts. This slows down response times for everyone. 

Due to the current high volume of applications, the assessment team must focus on processing applications. The skills assessment team is not available via the phone and, if your query is not urgent, please refrain from emailing. Please refer to the information on our website as follows: 

• FAQs– here you will find the answers to frequently asked questions about the skills assessment process. 

• Skills assessment criteria– if you are unsure about which occupation to nominate, please ensure you read the full assessment criteria. Requirements for assessment are slightly different for each assessment type and occupation – make sure you understand the minimum requirements for your occupation, including work experience duration (e.g., 1 year, 2 years or other). Please refer to the additional guidance located at the bottom of the qualification criteria for further information on how we assess qualifications that have been awarded on the basis of RPL. 

• Review requests (hyperlink) – please read the review and appeal policy which includes instructions on how to submit a review request. 

• Course accreditation – if you have any queries regarding your Community Work Australia accredited qualification, please speak with your education provider. 

• Status updates – We will not respond to status update requests for applications that are still within the advertised processing time.