Credential evaluator VETASSESS has confirmed that its professional and general occupation skills-assessment fees will rise in line with CPI on 22 October 2025. The flagship Full Skills Assessment will increase from AUD 1,070 to AUD 1,096, while the popular Post-Study-Work (Subclass 485) assessment climbs to AUD 416. Priority processing, reassessment and appeal fees will also edge up by around 2 %.
The hike affects thousands of skilled-migration and employer-sponsored applicants each year, including those filing under Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) and Industry Labour Agreements. Trade occupation assessments are exempt. Migration agents are urging clients to lodge before the deadline to avoid higher costs and possible application rush-hour delays.
For corporate mobility teams, the modest fee bump is unlikely to alter budgeting materially, but the timing may influence whether 2025 payroll or 2026 cost centres absorb the expense. Employers sponsoring multiple candidates are advised to review talent pipelines now to determine which applications can be accelerated.
Analysts note that VETASSESS last raised fees in July 2024 and has justified the latest adjustment as necessary to cover digital-platform upgrades and expanded verification checks introduced after a Home Affairs audit into qualification fraud. The authority says service standards—currently averaging 10 weeks for standard processing—will be unaffected.
The hike affects thousands of skilled-migration and employer-sponsored applicants each year, including those filing under Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) and Industry Labour Agreements. Trade occupation assessments are exempt. Migration agents are urging clients to lodge before the deadline to avoid higher costs and possible application rush-hour delays.
For corporate mobility teams, the modest fee bump is unlikely to alter budgeting materially, but the timing may influence whether 2025 payroll or 2026 cost centres absorb the expense. Employers sponsoring multiple candidates are advised to review talent pipelines now to determine which applications can be accelerated.
Analysts note that VETASSESS last raised fees in July 2024 and has justified the latest adjustment as necessary to cover digital-platform upgrades and expanded verification checks introduced after a Home Affairs audit into qualification fraud. The authority says service standards—currently averaging 10 weeks for standard processing—will be unaffected.
