If you have received an assessment outcome and wish to take further action, or if your existing assessment is approaching expiry, there are several options available to you. This page outlines the pathways for review, appeal, reassessment and renewal to help you determine which option best suits your circumstances.
Review of Assessment
If you disagree with the outcome of your Migration Skills Assessment, you can request to have your assessment decision reviewed. Your request for a review must be submitted within 90 days from the date of the original outcome.
An additional fee is payable to cover the costs of processing the review of your Migration Skills Assessment outcome. Your application will be evaluated by a different assessor than the one who assessed your original application.
When you apply for a review, you may submit new evidence to support your application, however you will not be able to make any changes to your original application.
Step 1: Lodge your review request via the Online Review Request portal. (You will be prompted to make the payment for the review fee at the end of the online form.)
Step 2: Once your payment is received, an acknowledgement letter will be sent to confirm the receipt of your review application. This letter will also include a link for uploading additional supporting documents.
Step 3: You will receive your review outcome within the estimated timeframe.
Appeals
If your Migration Skills Assessment and your review applications were both unsuccessful, you can appeal against the decision. Your request for an appeal must be submitted within 90 days from the date of the review outcome decision.
An additional fee is payable to cover the costs of processing the appeal of your Migration Skills Assessment outcome and the review application. Your application will be evaluated by an independent Skills Assessment Authority, Vetassess.
When you apply for an appeal, you may submit new evidence to support your application, however you will not be able to make any changes to your original application.
Step 1: Lodge your appeal request via the Online Appeal Request portal. (You will be prompted to make the payment for the appeal fee at the end of the online form.)
Step 2: Once your payment is received, an acknowledgement letter will be sent to confirm the receipt of your appeal application. This letter will also include a link for uploading additional supporting documents.
Step 3: You will be provided with a written outcome of the appeal decision, including the reasons for an unfavourable decision, where applicable.
Reassessment
You may apply for a reassessment within 12 months of the date of your original assessment decision.
You can include additional employment details and qualifications to support your application, but you will not be able to make any changes to your original application.
If your original outcome was Suitable:
- You may nominate a different but similar occupation for your reassessment within the 12-month period.
- If you disagree with the number of positions deemed skilled in the outcome, you may lodge a reassessment for the same occupation within 12 months of the original decision.
Please note that IML ANZ’s skills assessment outcome is one input into the visa application process. The Department of Home Affairs conducts its own independent assessment of skilled employment for points test purposes, and IML ANZ’s outcome does not determine how your employment is calculated or scored for migration points.
If your original outcome was Not Suitable:
- For the same occupation, you may request a Review within 90 calendar days of the original decision.
- After this 90-day period, and up to 12 months from the original decision, you may lodge a Reassessment for the same occupation.
- You may lodge a Reassessment for a different occupation at any time within the 12-month period.
Step 1: Lodge your Reassessment request via this link (You will be prompted to make the payment for the reassessment fee at the end of the online form.)
Step 2: Once your payment is received, an acknowledgement letter will be sent to confirm the receipt of your reassessment application. This letter will also include a link for uploading additional supporting documents.
Step 3: You will receive your reassessment outcome within the estimated timeframe.
Renewal
If you wish to renew the outcome of your skills assessment application, you may submit a renewal application. The renewal application involves:
- A reassessment of your original successful skills assessment outcome, with additional qualification or/and employment considered, including for Points Test purposes.
- Renewing the expiry date with or without your additional qualification or/and employment.
Do I still meet the requirements?
To satisfy our requirements when applying for a renewal, you must demonstrate that your skills meet the current criteria for your nominated occupation.
It is important to check the current criteria because they may have changed. We will check your qualifications against the criteria, as well as whether you have recently worked in your occupation.
A successful outcome as part of the renewal application process is NOT guaranteed.
When to submit a renewal application?
A suitable full skills assessment outcome is usually valid for three years from its issue date.
If you need a renewal of your skills assessment, you can contact us at any time before your skills assessment is about to expire.
Submit supporting evidence
Applicants can list any new additional qualifications and/or employment recently obtained to support their renewal application. For new qualifications and/or employment adding to the renewal application, applicant must provide supporting documents as evidence. The new evidence will need adhere to the document checklist requirement. It is important that you provide any updated documents relating to an employment that have previously been assessed. For example, you may have continued in employment beyond the date in your original outcome letter.
If we do not receive new evidence for additional qualifications and/or employment, we will assess your renewal application based on the evidence in your original application.
Step 1: Lodge your renewal request via this link (You will be prompted to make the payment for the reassessment fee at the end of the online form.)
Step 2: Once your payment is received, an acknowledgement letter will be sent to confirm the receipt of your renewal application. This letter will also include a link for uploading additional supporting documents.
Step 3: You will receive your renewal outcome within the estimated timeframe.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Review, a Reassessment and an Appeal?
A Review is an internal reconsideration of a Not Suitable outcome, assessed by a different IML ANZ assessor. A Reassessment is a new application – it allows you to nominate a different occupation or, where you have gained additional experience, reapply for the same occupation. An Appeal is an external review conducted independently by Vetassess, and can only be lodged after a Review has been completed.
My outcome was Not Suitable. Can I apply for a Reassessment for the same occupation straight away?
No. For the same occupation, you must request a Review within 90 days of the original decision. A Reassessment for the same occupation can only be lodged after the 90-day Review period has passed, and must be submitted within 12 months of the original decision. We highly recommend applicants to obtain additional qualification or employment that would help overturn the outcome of the original application.
I received a Suitable outcome but fewer positions were assessed as skilled than I submitted. What can I do?
We assess applications holistically; only positions that meet the assessment criteria will be deemed skilled. Roles held earlier in your career or served at an operational level might contribute to the overall outcome, but they will not be considered skilled.
If you disagree with the number of positions deemed skilled, you have the option to lodge a Reassessment application for the same occupation within 12 months of the original decision. However, please note that IML ANZ’s skills assessment is only one input into the visa application process. The Department of Home Affairs conducts its own independent assessment for points test purposes.
Can I submit new evidence with my secondary application?
Yes. For all secondary application types – Review, Appeal, Reassessment and Renewal – you may submit additional supporting documents. However, you cannot make changes to your original application.
What does "cannot change my original application" mean?
It means the documents and information submitted in your original application remain as lodged. You may add new supporting documents, but you cannot remove, replace, or amend anything already submitted – with the exception of typographical errors.
I want to be assessed under a different occupation. Can I do this?
Yes. Whether your original outcome was Suitable or Not Suitable, you may nominate a different but similar occupation in a Reassessment application, provided you apply within 12 months of the original decision.
What is a “different but similar” occupation?
IML only assesses nine managerial occupations. Occupations that fall under the same ANZSCO subgroup are considered “similar.”
For example, 131112 Sales and Marketing Manager, 131113 Advertising Manager, and 131114 Public Relations Manager all fall under the 1311 ANZSCO group. However, depending on the details of your employment experience, your application may or may not receive a suitable outcome for all similar occupations.
What happens if my Review is also unsuccessful?
You may lodge an Appeal within 90 days of the Review outcome. Appeals are assessed independently by Vetassess. An additional fee applies.
How long is my skills assessment valid?
A successful skills assessment outcome is valid for three years from the date it was issued.
When should I apply for a Renewal?
You can apply for a Renewal at any time before your skills assessment outcome expires. If you have gained new qualifications or employment since your original assessment, including this evidence may strengthen your outcome and may be considered for points test purposes.
Is a successful Renewal outcome guaranteed?
No. A Renewal involves a full reassessment against the current criteria for your nominated occupation. The criteria may have changed since your original assessment and a successful outcome is not guaranteed.
Who assesses my Review and Appeal?
Your Review is assessed by a different IML ANZ assessor from the one who handled your original application. Your Appeal is assessed externally and independently by Vetassess.
