Top Tips on how to claim Overseas and Australian employment points
What is Skilled Occupation Assessment and how are you awarded employment points?
Skills assessment involves assessing your qualifications and employment against the suitability of your nominated occupation. Employment assessment involves determining whether your work experience (obtained either in Australia or overseas) is at an appropriate skill level and relevant to your nominated occupation.
Applicants are awarded points for employment experience in a skilled occupation, either in Australia. Experience must be in a nominated occupation on Australia’s Skilled Occupations List or an occupation that is closely related to earn points for skilled employment and must have been gained within the last ten years.
Employment Suitability Condition
Your employment must have been paid employment. Internships and volunteer work cannot be used to claim points. This means that paid leave will also be counted. Extended leave without pay such as parental leave may not cannot be counted.
Time claimed can be from both experience in Australia and from overseas, however are counted separately. You can claim 3 years from overseas experience and 1 year in Australia to give you 10 points (5+5), but you cannot combine 2 years overseas and 1 year Australia to get you 3 years. Experience can only be claimed from the 10 years preceding your application
If you have experience in Australia, any work done that was in breach of your visa conditions at the time would not be counted. If you held a student visa and worked beyond the 40 hours a fortnight restriction, your experience will not be considered.
Skilled employment
Employment must be ‘skilled employment ‘and must be after you are deemed ‘skilled’. ‘Skilled employment’ needs to involve roles and responsibilities at least entry level requirements for the nominated occupation. An applicant is ‘deemed skilled’ at the point he/she is performing at an expected standard. The department refers to the assessing bodies opinion on when a person is ‘deemed skilled’ and ‘skilled employment’ can only be claimed from the date you are deemed skilled.
Points for skilled employment
In Australia, there are different authoritative bodies for different occupation, here are list of some major occupation’s authoritative entities:
This council assesses Architects.
This authority assesses computer professionals like Programmers, System Designers, System Mangers etc. Refer to the SOL for more occupations.
This authority assesses Dentists and Dental Specialists.
This authority assesses Managers and Administrators. Refer to the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL for a complete list.
The institute assesses the qualifications of overseas trained medical scientists
This authority assesses all Trades. Refer to the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL for further details.
Along with the CPAA and ICAA, this authority assesses Accountants.
This authority is the largest Skills Assessment Authority in Australia. It assesses all remaining Trades and General Occupations. Refer to the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL for further details.
Points are awarded separately for skilled employment experience gained within Australia and elsewhere. Points from both tables can be combined, but the maximum total points award for skilled employment is 20 points.
To Conclude, having employment experience can certainly help the aspirants who want to migrate to Australia, be it overseas work experience or from the local Australian employment, however, the points score from employment would differ according to the time period of employment.
It is highly recommended to take the expert advice on this matter before claiming the employment points so as to not to risk your DHA visa application refusal.
How many hours to work in a year to claim for work experience point for Australian PR application
Hi Jaz
A full-time position is considered to be at least 38 hours per week and MUST have third party “payment evidences that are acceptable to DHA” else your points claim can be assessed to be incorrect leading to your visa application refusal.
All the best!
Hi, your answer makes me so confused!!
It is not true according to the immigration website which they were clearly mentioning “Employed means engaged in an occupation for remuneration for at least 20 hours a week.”
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189/points-table
See the section Skilled employment experience
Hi there
No need to get confused – that was a generic question and hence the answer.
DHA accepts 20 hours per week (or more) paid experience to be claimed as paid employment.
However, whether your occupation will require 20 hours per week or 38 hours per week experience to be able to apply for a Skills Assessment, depends on your occupation and the skills assessment authority.
Hope this clarifies.
Dear expert,
I have 6 months of work experience point test advice from vetassess and I am in the same job and recently completed one year
.Do I have to get point test advice from vetassess again or I have to submitted job letter and pay slip to DHA?
Thank you.
Hi Siddha
If your employment is in Australia and you have completed 1+ year (after deemed skilled date provided in the points test advice) in the same role, that was assessed by VETASSESS, then you can claim the 5 points for 1 year Australian experience.
Hi Ashwin,
I am wondering, while claiming work experience points (ANZSCO 232111), What is the latest (working week) I can claim?
Like, can i keep claiming weeks of work till I get invited or i cant anymore because I have sent an EOI?
Regards,
Hi Shreyas
If you enter your current job and check “yes” to ‘is this your current job’ question in the EOI, then the EOI will automatically include the time period until the date you receive the invitation. Be careful if you finish working then you must update the finish date in the EOI to be safe.
Hi sir,Can internship provided by the Australian university after completion of masters can be counted as Professional experience to claim 5PR points?
Hi Sindhu
Which ANZSCO occuaption/Skills Assessment Authority?
Generally speaking in an unpaid internship – no.
If its a paid internship then please provide details.
Hi Ashwin
Can you claim points for 20 hours per week work experience in the same occupation as that on skills list but while on Student Visa. For context, I am a masters student in sydney but have been working 20 hours per week (as per student visa restriction) in my occupation for over 1 year now . Does this still count as 5 points for Australian work experience? Please advise
Hi Pia
Which occupation and skills assessment authority?
If it is VETASSESS, then yes you can be eligible to apply for Skills Assessment depending on meeting other criteria.
However, VETASSESS will deduct minimum 1 year experience post qualification to provide you with a “deemed skilled date” and give you a positive outcome.
So be extremely careful before you decide to claim your work experience.
Hi,
If after finishing studies in Australia, I do a paid full time internship for 6 months and then graduate developer role in the same company, then does it count as a 1 year experience for claiming 5 points?
Thanks
Hi Ayushi
Internship will not be assessed at the required skill level for the nominated occupation and you must be extremely careful in claiming employment points.
I have got a city and giulds in bricklaying, and i have got 5 years experience doing the job as well, but I haven’t got a nvq 2 which is the equivalent to a cert 111 I think , is it possible to claim those years as work experience, I could possibly get written prove of the duties I was doing , also I’m a self employed sub contractors here as are nearly every other bricklayer, how would I prove my hours worked because they dont show on my pay slips also the days worked doesn’t show either , but I could get 5 years of pay slips though , thanks
Hi James
Based on the information provided, there are not enough facts there to be able to advise you and all aspects need to be carefully assessed as per the eligibility criteria before any advice can be given.
It would be advisable to seek professional advice by an experienced MARA Registered Agent in this situation.
Hi,
I am Maaz, an international student doing my Masters in Architecture here in Sydney.
Before this, I had pursued a bachelors degree in architecture back in my home country. During the course of my bachelor’s degree, I also had to complete a 1 year internship as a part of the curriculum.
Following this, during my final year I additionally worked as a part time Design consultant for an interior design firm in the final year of my studies.
Finally, after graduating I have gained 2.5 years of full-time work experience.
Having said that, I was wondering if I would be eligible to claim points for overseas skilled employment as an Architect? If I choose to submit an EOI ?
Really confused on this one.. Would love to hear your thoughts on the same.
Thanks in advance
Hi Maaz
Generally speaking for overseas Acrhitects a Bachelor + Master Degree (depending on the country) are required to obtain a positive skills assessment.
Only once you can obtain a positive skills assessment in the occupation, can you claim points for your employment from the “deemed skilled date”.
Hi Ashwin,
I’m having Electrical Engineering Bachelor’s degree and have work experience of 3 years related to ICT. Will I be able to claim 5 points in this situation or not?
Also after completing my master’s from Australia with majors in ICT and work 1 year in the same field, in that case will I be eligible to get 5 points?
It would be a great help if you can answer my above questions.
Thanks in advance.
Kind Regards,
Vinit
Hi Vinit
1. a. With your EE Bachelor from overseas, you will need to write CDR to proceed through this pathway.
No you cannot claim your ICT experience under this occ.
b. Should you choose to proceed under the ICT occupation with your EE Bachelor, then ACS will require you to proceed under RPL pathway will need between 4-6 years experience depening whether its in last 10 years or anytime in your work history.
2. After your Master in Australia, if you have completed Professional Year + 1 year ICT experience, then you may be able to claim experience post your PY completion.
If you have not completed PY, then the 1 year experience will be deducted by ACS to provide you a positive skills assessment.
Hi,
My question is regarding work experience.
I have worked 20 hours/week for 6 months in the industry which same as of my study. After 6 months I finished my study and i got a full-time graduate role with the same company. Does the Industry work experienced gained during study counts as work experience to claim points in PR?
Thanks,
Hi Adi
Generally speaking for skills assessment purposes, post-qualification experience is considered.
So maybe not.
Which occupation is it?
Hi,
I´m facing a huge dilemma and would appreciate your opinion:
I´m a Tax LAWYER in Brazil since 2009 and I have 5 years experience as a Sr. Tax Analyst over there for big accounting firms (EY and General Electric).
I came to Australia and concluded my Masters in Accounting in 2017 and I already have 2 years working in Australia as a Tax Accountant.
CPA can’t assess my overseas experience because I was a Tax Lawyer, but at the same time I did the exactly same tasks I’m doing now.
Is it possible to claim the 10 points from Overseas with ALL documents (Contract, Testimunial Letter, Payslips) but no Aussie Body Skill Assessment?
10 Points is a lot and would help me greatly today where I have 80.
Tks in advance
Hi Rodrigo
Sorry for the delayed reply.
In general, I would advise against claiming any points for Accounting occupation without the assessment by a relevant skills assessment authority.
However, if you still have not been invited, feel free to contact us if we can be of further assistance.
Hi, my wife has been working fulltime for 2 companies for 3 years in Australia. Her position in the first company is junior account officer and 2nd one is an accountant but the duties and responsibilities mentioned in the Job description are not quite the same as the requirement of ANZSCO for accountant (but definitely meet the entry-level requirement). So my question is if we wanna claim a point for working experience for visa 189 or 190, it is possible? who will assess her working experience? DHA or CPA? Thank you.
Hi Ken
Strongly recommend not to claim those points until a relevant skills assessment authority CPA/ CAANZ/ ICA have assessed the experience positively.
Sorry for the delayed reply.
I work as an analyst programmer, however I got my assessment in network engineer field, am I eligible to claim 5 points work experience?
Hi Eva
It depends if the “duties” in your current role are 75% or more closely related to the nominated occupation of network field engineer.
Only then you would be able to, else it can be highly risky.
Ideal to have the employment assessed as well.
Do I need to accumulate a total of 4 years of experience to claim 5 points for 3 years work experience (taking into consideration that the first 12 months cannot be claimed?).? Does VETASSESS Work this way? I have 2.8 positively assessed years of experience according to vetassesess. Im just afraid the first 12 months do not count and i have to keep working another year before I get 5 points
Hi Ali
Yes – Post VETASSESS skills assessment, you will receive an Outcome Letter which will provide a deemed skilled date (Points Test Advice).
VETASSESS will deduct minimum 1 year post qualification experience, or more depending on your case.
You will need to have 3 years overseas experience from this date to claim 5 points for overseas employment
Hi, I have 2.5 relevant overseas experience. Is there any chance immigration would look at that as close enough to 3 years so I can get 5 points for it?
Hi Kris
No.
First you will have to obtain your Skills Assessment and depending on the authority, some employment period can be deducted to provide you with the period of employment that you can claim.
Is there any minimum salary criteria (per Annum) to claim Australian experience as Professional Engineer?
Hi Aslu
Engineers Australia look at the standard market rates for the specific occupation in the industry whilst assessing this.
Hi Ashwin,
Thank you so much for the info. It’s been very helpful.
I do have a question in regards of Skills Assessment. I have more than 5 years international experience in Dubai in the last 10 years, but unfortunately I don’t have a university diploma. Can I still apply for the skills assessment
Thank you once again
Hi Maria
Your eligibility would depend on the occupation and the relevant skills assessment authority’s criteria.
Hi Ashwin
I have been assessed positive in my skilled assessment in January 2020, however I am working as a registered nurse since November 2019 parmanent part time basis and 70 hours. I have now completed 6 months and my work load reduced to 40 hours fornight now. Can I still claim 1 year experienced point working part time 20 hours per week in nursing.
Waiting for your reply
Thank you
Hi,
Can you claim experience in Australia, working as an embedded contractor?
I am employed by an X company who are paying me full time but I am working as an embedded contractor in Y company, my manager at Y company will provide a letter mentioning my Job Responsibilities. And my X company will provide a letter saying, I am working full time but as an embedded contractor with Y company.
I have all my payslips, Super fund, bank statement and tax summaries. Will this be acceptable experience?
Thanks
AD
Hi AD
I do not understand how does the term “embedded contractor” dealt with in the employment terms.
I will need to review the documents first to be able to advise further.
In general it could work in some instances, especially ICT occupations if all the evidential requirements are met as given by the skills assessment authority.
Thanks.
Hi, I just have a doubt if I really need a TRA MPA to apply to 190 or 491 NSW.
I already have my positive skills assessment which TRA said “TRA considers that the applicant was first able to commence work in skilled employment in the nominated occupation from 31 May 2010.
So I worked for the same company and same occupation from 31 May 2010 until 30 November 2015. I’ve got the positive skills assessment on 13 March 2018 and I’m claiming 5+ years of experience.
Do I also need an TRA Migration Points Advice to submit if I get the invitation for NSW?
My occupation is Electrician General 341111.
Hi Thiago
In your EOI, you can claim employment points from 31 May 2010 onwards until 30 Nov 2015 and further depending whether you worked in the same occupation or not.
So you should be able to claim teh 5+ years of overseas experience.
Not compulsory to obtain the TRA MPA in this situation.
Thank you for Sharing Valuable information
Pleasure
Hi Ashwin,
I am working as a Garduate Engineer for last more than 1 year in Australia. I have already assessed my chemical engineering degree from EA back in 2019. I have completed my 1 year experience on 30 June 2020 and submitted an application to EA for experience assessment. In the meantime i am waiting for the outcome from EA, can i update my points in EOI prior the outcome from EA? As there is not a requirement from immi department to assess the australian experience form third party such EA.
Hi Sadaqat
Since you have waited this long, I would suggest to wait for EA to confirm the relevant employment and give you outcome letter before you update the points. Else your decision really.
Do I need to get my Australian work experience assessed by the relevant authority to claim the points for 189 visa application?
Hi Kareena
Absolutely you do and you should to be safe in claiming the points.
Which occupation and which skills assessment authority?
Is it mandatory to do employment skill assessment from Engineers Australia for professional engineer or can we directly do it to DHA? Some say it is not mandatory, some say it is.
Hi,
I have 3 years of experience in hydropower and I am an electrical engineer from Nepal, with positive skills assessment. I claimed my experience with EA but they concluded that I didnt have secondary documents to verify, as my pay was on non-tax paying slab and I had no tax clearence papers. Is there any way I can ask for points from my work experience through Department of Home Affairs?
Thanks,
Moti Thapa
Hi Moti
There are multiple options within the Secondary documents.
It would depend whether you have any other secondary evidential documents available or not.
In general, if not and if Engineers Australia have not assessed your experience positively in the occupation, then it would be advisable not to claim the overseas employment points for this job in your DHA Visa Application.
However, if you would like specific advice, then please get in touch with us.
Hi. I have studied automotive in Melbourne. I have worked 3 years in Melbourne. Before studying. I have worked mechanical related tractors. Which I have near 5 years experience. I got skill assessment job ready program in Melbourne. Can I claim points both employment. Without assessment of overseas.
Hi Navtej
You will need to be careful as you can only claim points for experience after your TRA “deemed skilled date” at the skill level in your nominated occupation.
Hi I also have a question,
As a student I worked as an assistant nurse (aged care/20 hrs a week) for 1.5 years
then worked as an RN after (aged care) 1 yr on March 2020 *but Im afraid i do not meet the 1 yr because I work in operating theatres *starting July 2019) now and my nominated one is Aged care. I only work in aged care as casual now. most of my shifts are in operating theatre
wll my assistant nurse exp be counted? thank you! or should i change my nomination to OT nurse instead of aged care?
Hi Jan
If your nominated occupation is Registered Nurse, then you will only be able to claim experience points post your RN qualification completion and your ANMAC skills assessment in RN occupation.
So your experience prior to the completion of your RN qualification (Degree) cannot be claimed as an RN for employment points.
Good question – With the issue of Aged care or OT, it would really have to be your decision as you are best aware of the circumstances.
However, given the COVID19 circumstances, DHA may be flexible with their approach with some health applicants down the line, however, unable to confirm that at this stage.
For further tailored advice, please feel free to get in touch with us to discuss your case.
In regards to overseas experience, I am currently residing and working in Australia. At the same time, I am working for an overseas company back at my home (paid employment). WIll I be able to claim points for this overseas experience? I will be completing my 3 years with the company next month. Kindly advice.
Hi Tanveer
It would depend on the occupation and the specifics of the role you are referring to.
In general, you will only be able to claim the overseas experience if the experience – duties/ hours per week/ salary etc. meet all the eligibility criteria of the skills assessment authority.
Hello Ashwin,
I completed my bachelors in civil engineering (2009) overseas and had an 8-year work relevant work experience before commencing and completing my masters in Australia (2019). I applied for my MSA with Engineers Australia with the Australia Qualification Framework and recognizing my prior work experience. The outcome letter came out as positive but stated that the experience cannot be recognized because it was prior to my Australian degree. What can i do to claim the 8 points work experience?
Hi Abi
You will need to reapply for Engineers Australia Skills Assessment and this time you will need to do a CDR Application instead, using your overseas Bachelor Degree as the base degree.
Only then your overseas qualification would be assessed and your experience may be assessed positively if it meets the EA criteria.
Feel free to seek advice from a MARA Registered Agent to maximise your prospects.
Hi Ashwin, How are you? I have done my BSC nursing and would like to know how I could claim 5 points to contribute towards my husband primary applicant. How I could get my assessment done and what is the criteria for it. Appreciate your response. Thanks
Hi Prachi
As the Secondary Applicant, you can contribute up to 10 points to your Spouse’s (Primary) points test score if you obtain:
1. Partner English: Competent English Score – 5 points
2. Partner Skills: Positive Skills Assessment (in an occupation which is eligible to apply for the same visa subclass as your Spouse is) – 5 points
*Disclaimer: This is general advice only, and to be able to claim any of the Partner Skills points, I strongly recommend that you seek advice by a MARA Registered Agent as to whether you are eligible to apply or not and whether your points claim is accurate as per the Australian migration law or not.
Hi,
Can i able to claim Australian skilled experience points while paying tax on ABN instead of TFN ?
Is there any criteria for such conditions in order to claim 5 points ?
Hi Bilal
Depending on the skills assessment body, Australian employment must be minimum 20+ hours per week or 35+ hours per week (as required by the skills assessment authority), paid on TFN including Superannuation contributions.
For DHA points claim, a minimum of 20 hours per week is sufficient in a Part-time role. DHA can ask for applicants to submit Super statements of Australian employment.
Hi,
Before starting my PhD Electrical in Australia, i was a lecturer in Electrical Engineering Department in public sector university for 3 years on full time basis, and before That i was a research assistant at engineering university. My this experience can be counted to claim my work experience points while applying for Australian PR. Can you please guide me. Thanks
Hi Muhammad
It will depend on your occupation and your “deemed skilled date”.
I will need to review your case before I can provide tailored advice.
However, in general, if you meet all the eligibility criteria of the skills assessment authority, and get the experience assessed positively then you should be fine to claim points at DHA Visa Application stage.
Hi Ashwin,
I have heard some recent changes with DHA’s way of assessing work experience points for some occupations (see below). Is this true?
If so, say I got 3yrs work experience post grad (as of now) and VETASSESS only considered 2yrs as relevant work experience. Now, my employer would like nominate me under ENS Visa 186 Direct Entry Stream which requires 3 yrs of relevant work experience. Would I be eligible for this visa?
Thanks in advance.
“When assessing periods of skilled employment for the purpose of awarding points, the following must be taken into account:
the opinion of the relevant skills assessing authority on the period of skilled employment including the date on which they deemed the applicant skilled; and
the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) including any pre-requisite qualifications/work experience relevant to the claimed skilled employment; and
any other relevant information (such as employment records and references).
If the skills assessing authority’s opinion would result in the applicant being awarded less points than the applicant claimed in their EOI, then decision makers should consider the information in ANZSCO and apply the more beneficial outcome in determining when the applicant was working at a skilled level.”
Hi Lotte
This is a new policy recently introduced along with the New Regional Visa Regulations on 16.11.2019.
However, this is relevant to General Skilled Migration for points claim purposes at DHA Visa Application stage.
Are you seeking to apply for a Skilled Visa: SC189, SC190 or SC491?
Besides, there may still be some risk associated by claiming the years deducted by VETASSESS to assess you eligible under the occupation at the skill level.
There may be circumstances, where you may wish to consider claiming this period, however, I would not recommend to claim this deducted period until you seek advice of an experienced MARA Agent.
All the best.
Hi,
I would like to ask a question. I had 6 years of experience as a mechanical engineer in India, and now I have completed my masters degree in Australia, and I applied for skill assessment. The assessment came positive, but EA deducted my 1.2 years of experience. Now my question is can I still claim 6 years of experience, as I have all the supporting documents and bank statements with me.
Hi Daman
You can only claim the employment points from the date EA have assessed the employment positively in your occupation.
You cannot claim the full 6 years of employment under this occupation in this situation.
Hi Ashwin,
I would really appreciate it if you could shed some light on my situation.
I am on Postgraduate work visa 485 which expires on Nov 2021. I have done my master’s in architecture from Unisa, Adelaide.
1. I have been working as a graduate architect for 6 months now. The employer has offered to sponsor me. I have 2 years of work ex from India. it would be 3 years in total in another 6 months. Will I be eligible for the ENS 186?
2. By Jan 2021, I ‘ll be having a year of experience and I would be applying for 189/190. I was wondering how to claim the one-year work ex? Do I need to get it assessed? AACA says I ll have to submit a portfolio and attend interviews but a couple of people say otherwise. By the end of one year, I would have 90 points.
Stuck in this huge confusion. Which way would work better? please advice.
Hi Krithika
There are a number of things to consider in your case.
Firstly, did you complete a Bachelor + a Master in Architechture overseas or not?
If not, then unlikely that your experience prior to the completion of your Australian Master Degree would be at the required skill level as you will only be able to obtain a positive skills assessment from AACA using your overseas + Australian qualification.
This also means that for GSM – SC189, SC19, SC491 visas you will not be able to claim any points for overseas work exp., however, “may be” able to claim points for your Australian experience “only if” your role as a Graduate Architect is at the required skill level of the nominated ANZSCO occupation.
I would recommend you to get your case assessed properly by an experienced MARA Registered Agent “prior” to submitting your EOI, else the repercussions could be huge as you know.
Hi,
I want to claim 5point for work experience in nursing , I worked as an Enrolled nurse for a year part time position from 04/2018 to 04/2019 while I am holding student visa (SC 572 nursing degree). The problem is I could not get the employer reference letter but I still do keep the employment contract and payslip and bank statement I to prove it . Is there any chance to claim 5p in this case?
Hi Xuan
Which occupation: RN nec? Did you get the employment assessed as part of your skills assessment?
Hi Ashwin,
Kindly seek your advice on my situation, I am applying for 189 Skilled Independent Visa, regarding the points claim for my overseas working experience, how do they assess the work experience, do they accept experience before obtaining qualifications? I have overseas experience of more than 8 years, but that it is prior qualification. I have applied for my skill assessment at Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS) and I have received a positive assessment, that is purely based on qualification only. Do the DHA accept my previous experience before I obtain my qualification? as I want to claim points on overseas experience. Appreciates, your kind advice on this
Hi Kana
You may be able to claim points for some or none of your prior to qualification work experience and this depends on a number of factors and needs to be carefully assessed by a MARA Registered Agent. I strongly recommend that you seek advice by a MARA Registered Agent to be certain about the claim of points and to save your application from being refused for overclaim of points.
Hi,
I am preparing documents for the VETASSESS assessment. I was a research associate for a yearly project, I received a very nominal salary from my supervisor (12 months) through cross cheque for 6 month period each. What documents should I attach as a proof for paid employment. I received a bank statement from my supervisor reflecting above 2 cheques with 1 on my name as a cash withdrawal. I don’t have any other document (payslip, tax return, etc) Please guide. Thank you
Hi Khan
Based on your comments, I am concenred and would advice that your 12 months experience may not be positively assesses by VETASSESS.
Besides, depending on your qualifications and overall number of years of experience, you will need to be certain that you will meet the eligibility criteria to be able to lodge the skills assessment application. Please save yourself the money, time and effort, and seek proper advice from a MARA Registered Migration Agent before you proceed further.
Nope. Just bachelors in India. Masters from the University of South Australia, Adelaide.
Would I have to get my work ex of a year for 5 points also through AACA ? If i dont want to be registered yet, then what is the way to get the 5 points for work ex?
Hi,
I am have been working on my abn as a marketing analyst for an Australian business. Every year, I would do marketing for the company while I went back to my home country. I was paid while in my home country; work related to Australian business promoting its products in my home country. I took 2 holiday every year for 2 weeks each. Can the period overseas count for Australian employment ?
Hi Jay
Working as a contractor is not the same as being employed on part-time or full-time basis.
Technically, if you have been working (and can prove with evidence) that you have worked 20+ hours per week for the number of years required based on VETASSESS criteria applicable to you based on your situation; then you may be eligible to apply for skills assessment.
However, for points claim, I would suggest you seek advice from a MARA Registered Agent to be certain and not risk a visa application refusal.
Hi Ashwin,
I am working as a registered nurse here in Sydney in peri-operative area. I am wondering what are my chances to be sponsored for PR in Victoria and if I am eligible to submit an EOI? I heard from other people that I cannot submit an EOI unless I have 6mos of working experience in Victoria or at least a letter from an employer saying that I will work for them for a minimum of 6 mos, how true is that?
Also, when claiming 5 points for 1 year AU experience, am I eligible to claim 5 points if I am working as casual for a year? Being said that I am casual, I do not have fixed number of working hours but my cumulative working hours in a year is equivalent to working of 20/hrs per week in one year. Please advise! Thank you!
Hi Lin
1. Please carefully review whether your ANZSCO is listed under VIC Graduates list or not?
If yes, then you may be eligible to apply for SC190 Nom as long as you have registration and Proficient English.
2. To be able to claim employment points in a DHA Visa Application, you must have be paid for minimum 20+ hours per week for 52 weeks to make a year.
If not, then suggest not to claim these points and prior to lodging your EOI, seek professional advice by a MARA Registered Agent.
Hi Ashwin,
I had a Vetassessment done a while ago as a Construction Project Manager. I thought that I might have 5+ years of relevant experience in the UK but definitely 3+ however, it seems Vetassess are very stringent and after deducting 1 year gave me 1.3 years relevant experience.
I was advised that what Vetassess decide is not necessarily the be all and end all, and that if I think I have the relevant experience I should claim it in my EOI, I tried to speak to immigration about this but they were very vague and didn’t really give me an awnser either way, to be honest I don’t think they were really sure what I was trying to ask.
Should I try and claim relevant work experience not recognised by Vetassess?
I if do, could it ruin my chance of application?
Could I lodge a second EOI with the extra expirence on it without disrupting or ruining the chances of my first one getting through?
*It’s probably worth mentioning that I was briefly sponsored in Aus as a project manager and my agent at the time claimed 5 years relevant experience wich imagration accepted. This however was not through Vetassess.
Kind Regards
Nick
Hi Nick
Although, there has been a Policy amendment only in Nov 2019 regarding this issue (however, no amendment in the Migration Act or Regulations which hold precedence).
However, the facts in your case need to be carefully assessed before any advice can be given.
It would be advisable to seek professional advice by an experienced MARA Registered Agent.
Hi Ashwin!
I’m glad to have found this page and learnt so much from your sharing.
I’m also applying for the skilled migration as a secondary school teacher and have come across the term “SES” (A Skilled Employment Statement (SES) is an optional summary of your relevant skilled employment which you can use as part of the Points Test for skilled migration.)
Is it necessary for me to apply for this SES so as to claim the points for relevant work experience? And if I worked at two different institutes, shall I submit two letters from the two institutes so as to prove my employment record of the previous ten years for the application of SES?
Thanks a lot for your help!!
Hi Jacqueline
I am glad 🙂 – Please like our facebook or LinkedIn pages to stay connected.
Yes it would be best if you could obtain the two SES’s and submit for the skills assessment so that you will be able to confidently claim skilled employment points appropriately.
All the best!
Hi Ashwin,
Hope you’re well and staying safe.
In my EOI for 491 visa as a finance manager, I have claimed 3 years of overseas work experience as part of this occupation because these roles assisted me in becoming a finance manager e.g management accountant and accountant.
Apparently I require position descriptions for these overseas roles which I am struggling to obtain because the employers no longer hold this information on their systems. I was not supplied this during my time there. I have only seen the job descriptions on the advert when I applied for them. Are you able to provide a solution around this? Thanks!
Hi Lisa
I would strongly suggest to be very careful in planning to claim overseas employment points for each position.
Especially if you have not had the employment assessed by skills authority & that the positions were not at the skill level of the nomianted occupation, then it could be extremely risky.
It would be advisable to seek professional advice by an experienced MARA Registered Agent.
Hi Ashwin,
I have the same case as Lin, but I am in IT, and when I have applied for skilled assessment from ACS they have marked it as positive. In my case does it safe to claim points since I have supported document from the assessing body?
I worked casual and 20 hours as well, and I do not have fixed working hour. Hence the confusion,
Hi Lauren
You can only claim employment points in your EOI/visa application ‘if you worked minimum 20 hours per week and can prove that with evidences- Contract, Reference Letter, Payslips, Bank Statements or Tax Returns or Retirement Fund Statements’ as these (3 or 4) will be required by DHA for each of the jobs.
Receiving skills assessment from ACS is one thing and claiming the points in the EOI/DHA Visa Application is another.
Hi, I want to claim points for 3 years relevant skilled employment here in Australia. The assessing authority is Engineer’s Australia. Previously, I have already undertaken the migration skills assessment through EA and was positively assessed and qualified under an engineering occupation. Of my 3 years relevant experience onshore, 2 years of them was part time as I was under a student visa for another degree. EA mentions that they require full time employment which is only 20 hrs/week. During my part time work, I worked 20 hrs/week performing full time duties. Is this eligible for a positive skilled employment experience?
Hi Gayle
Can you advise whether Engineers Australia assessed your employment already or not?
If not, then since you were working whilst holding a student visa, the skill level requirement may or may not be met, depending on your overseas qualification and the skills assessment.
Further information would be required to be able to advise any further.
Hi Ashwin,
I have a BA degree in Social Work and had my degree and work experience assessed by AASW last year. Unfortunately, they said my role as a social worker assistant did not warrant skilled work experience as this was prior to me getting qualified. I have now done over years work experience in Australia in a closely related job post qualification (support coordinator). Will I need to go back to AASW to assess my work experience in Australia to gain the 5 points? Will this be a whole new assessment?
Also, I have seen my role as a social work assistant and social worker might fit the welfare officer and/ or welfare worker criteria as well as my degree in social work.
Do you think I should try get a skills assessment for welfare worker to try get my 8 years work experience as a social work assistant (as this would give me an additional 20 points) or go back to AASW to try get 5 points for my work experience in Australia.
Also, just wanted to see if you can apply for two different ANZCO on EOI and wait yo see which one gets accepted first? Or can you only do one at a time?
Sorry for all the questions, just don’t know whether it’s worth my time and money pursuing this.
Kind regards
Hi Victoria
1. Only employment experience will need to be assessed by AASW.
2 & 3. You can certainly get your skills assessed by another body, in another occuaption: Welfare Worker – ACWA.
And if successful you could pursue a skilled migration application under this occupation, potentially with 2 parallel EOI’s.
I would recommend that once invited in either, to make sure to withdraw the other EOI as else it would be unfair/and would make the process more challenging for other applicants.
Also, please note that this occuaption is listed on the Short term list and you will only be eligible to proceed to apply SC190 or SC491.
Hi,
I have 5+ years of work experience. However, the first year of the work experience was “on-job” training. I was getting paid in that period. Will Engineers Australia consider my entire work experience or the “on-job” training will be an issue? This is because my duty letter received by HR explicitly mentions the “on-job” training part. Appreciate your response.
Hi Mohamed
EA is quite stringent in their employment assessment and you will need to get the experience assessed to know the answer.
Generally speaking though, I don’t believe that your on-the-job training experience will be assessed at the required skill level by Engineers Australia.
Hi,
I already have a positive skill assessment from Engineers Australia for my bachelors degree(Washington Accord pathway) which I completed in 2017. Now I am doing an MBA in Australia.If I work 20 hours/ week in my nominated occupation while holding student visa 500, Can I claim points for Australian work experience?
Hi Hans
If you 20 hours per week experience is in your nominated occupation and at the the required skill level, then in your EOI/ DHA Visa Application you can claim points for your Australian work experience as long as you have completed at least 1 year to be eligible to claim 5 points.
Hi Ashwin. I am an international student in Australia. Completed my bachelor degree in Computer Engineering 2018 in Bangladesh and came to Australia for Masters in Information Technology. I am working here in Australia as a level 2 Software Support Engineer from Jan 2019 as permanent part time (20 hours) continuously till now and will be full time in December 2020 after my last semester. I will apply for temporary graduate visa in January 2021 after completing my masters degree here in November this year. Now my question is if I can claim point for this Work experience for this 2 years part time and if its counted as 2 year or 1 year since its part time. And After graduation if I do Professional Year as well can I claim 5 point or it will not count as I will claim for the points for Full-time work experience that time. Can I claim point for Professional Year and Skilled Work experience parallelly?
Like 2 years part-time and 1 year full time in Australia can I claim 10 points
And for Professional Year 5 points parallelly.
Will be very helpful if you clear that out.
Thanks
Hi Asif
Few issues here.
Firstly, if you apply on the basis of your overseas Bachelor Degree, ACS will require minimum 2 years (or more) work experience to be able to provide you with a positive skills assessment and a Deemed Skilled Date.
Also note that your Bachelor Degree must be relevant (major) to the nominated occupation so that only 2 years are deducted.
My question is do you have at least 2 years of work experience in the nominated occupation at the required skill level ‘after’ your Bachelor Degree?
With the 20 hours per week, this is acceptable by ACS and Department of Home Affairs as long as you can provide all evidences required.
Thirdly, with your PY points claim query, if you apply for your skills assessment on the basis of your Australian Degree, then you will need at least a PY completed or 1 year experience in your field to be eligible to apply for your skills assessment and wont be able to claim points for both.
Hi,
I have an experience of 3 years as a civil engineer in overseas. But I have already done my skill assessment with my experiences as two career episodes in CDR report. However, I chose not to claim the point during that time from my overseas experiences. But, am I allowed to claim point for my experiences? What can be the probable procedure in this regard?
Thanks
Hi Santosh
Your question is not clear?
If you are asking whether can you claim points for overseas employment even if you have ‘not had the employment assessed by Engineers Australia’ then, if you are confident that the employment was at the required skill level and in the same occuaption, then you can.
You will need to be very careful that you have all the evidential documents required to convince DHA ‘if’ you do claim the points though.
Hi Ashwin,
I found this page very useful, and I would like to thank you for providing feedback to our queries.
My question is, I have degree assessment from EA as a professional engineer in Mechanical Engineer (233512). I have 3 years of overseas work experience after finishing bachelor’s in engineering there. However, here in Australia, I have studied project management. Although, if I found employment in manufacturing company in Australia. Can claim 5 points after 1 year of experience? Also, what should be my post and minimum pay rate as per industry standard for claim those 5 points?(I tried to calculate my pay rate on fair work website but there are too many subclass to choose from which I don’t know) Can I be eligible for subclass 482 or 186 ? What is the success ratio on those visa applications. A company is interested in hiring me, and they offered me a less amount then my expectation. I don’t want to loose opportunity as it can lead me 5 points or 482/186, at the same time I don’t hoe much my minimim pay rate to claim those 5 points of experience. Your suggestions are highly appreciated.
Your Sincerely,
Berry
Hi Berry
1. Search for average salary for a professional Engineer in Australia, you will find the answer. Check Seek, indeed, mycareer ads.
2. Did you get your overseas employment assessed by EA or not? If not, then are you confident that the experience was at the skill level of a Mechanical Engineer?
3. To be able to claim Australian employment points, the employment must be in the nominated occupation, at the skill level, being paid the market salary rate for the role. If the salary is too low, i.e. under $50k etc., then the role will NOT be assessed positively by Engineers Australia and claiming these employment points can be highly risky.
4. You may be eligible to apply for Skilled Migration Visas – SC189/SC190/SC491 or Employer Sponsored Visas – SC482/ SC186 – DE,provided your employer and you as the sponsored employee be able to meet all the eligibility criteria for the respective visa subclass.
For further advice, I strongly recommend that you seek professional advice by a MARA Registered Migration Agent.
All the best!
Hi Ahswin,
I was wondering if in this scenario I can claim 5 points for local experience –
– I have worked for 1 year and 1 month locally
– And within that period, I also completed my internship (for Professional Year) with the same company and I was paid
– My employment did not change from full time employee to intern during the internship period
Thank you!
Hi Juliet which occupation again?
If you were working 20 hours per week paid in a role for 52 weeks, apart from your internship, and can prove on paper then you would be able to claim employment points for it.
Hey Ashwin,
I have completed 11 months in my organisation and my contract is getting done unexpectedly. Is it possible for me to claim 5 points of work since it’s a bit closer to a year?
Hi Sinthiyaa
You must have 52 weeks worth of payslips or bank statements ‘before’ you can claim the 1 year Australian employment points in your EOI.
https://www.iscah.com/important-change-work-experience-points/
Is the article about the new policy correct?
Hi Phood
There has been a lot of discussion on this topic amongst MARA practitioners since Nov 2019 till date.
This is only a change in the ‘Policy’ by DHA and as such each applicant’s circumstances are different and should seek careful advice by a Registered MARA Adviser before claiming the deducted periods of employment by skills assessment authorities.
Hi Ashwin,
I am a civil engineer who has completed his masters of structural engineering from Australia in Dec 2018. I started working as a part time structural engineer with a firm 6 months prior to my graduation (I.e. Dec 2018).
I am currently employed at the same firm and work here full time. Also, I got my positive skill assessment in September 2019.
I got an invite to apply for 189 visa in July 2020 where I have claimed 1 year of local work ex as a part of it.
I was wondering whether I can actually claim those 5 points and what time frame should I be providing my documents for. Also, do I have to provide all the payslips till date or few latest ones should do the work?
Thanks
Hi Vishal
You have already claimed the 5 points since you got invited.
To claim the 1 year employment points with DHA, you should at the very least provide the first 3 and last 3 months worth of payslips or bank statements along with employment contract and reference letter.
However, if you can provide more, that would be even better.
Hi expert,
I have worked for 2 different companies simultaneously for 3 years in the same occupation (secretary), at least 20h/week for each company. Will Vetassess consider this as 6 years of experience?
Hi Fabio
Two simultaenous part-time employments would only be considered as one period of employment by VETASSESS of 3 years.