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International Education

Frequently asked questions

NOTICE – The Department of Education's overseas qualifications assessment service is being discontinued. From 20 July 2026, no new applications will be accepted.
For more information, please see Qualification Assessment.
What is my overseas qualification equivalent to in Australia?

There are many organisations that assess overseas qualifications for different purposes in Australia. There are different organisations that can assess your overseas qualification depending on if you need an assessment for migration, work or to study. See the answers to the questions below.

From 1 July 2023 the Australian Government Department of Education transitioned to issuing digital assessment certificates to applicants via email.

From 20 July 2026, the department is discontinuing its overseas assessment service. Applications for review and, amendments can be accepted up to 30 September 2026. We will continue to reissue completed assessments.

I want to migrate to Australia. How do I get my skills and overseas qualification assessed?

The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for all migration enquiries. Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.

I want to work in a specific occupation and there are registration, licensing, professional membership or industry requirements. How do I get my overseas qualification assessed to work in this occupation?

Occupations that require specialised knowledge and skills in Australia have registration, licensing, professional membership or other industry requirements that must be met before you can start working.

In Australia, there are authorities responsible for these occupations. Information on occupational requirements and responsible authorities can be found on the Department of Home Affairs Skilled Occupation List. If you have difficulty identifying the relevant authority for your occupation, contact us.

If you have been referred to us by a professional membership body, registration body or licensing body to have your overseas qualifications assessed please see Qualification Assessment. Please note the department will cease to accept new applications from 20 July 2026.

I want to work in a trade. How do I get my overseas qualification assessed to work in a trade?

Several organisations assess overseas trade qualifications for licensing and employment in Australia.

Trades Recognition Australia offers the Trades Recognition Service for some trades.

Some states also offer trade recognition services:

New South Wales: NSW Fair Trading, Skills NSW
South Australia: recognition of trade skills

For further information on licensing authorities, please contact the relevant government authority in your state or territory. For information on registrations and licenses required to for running a business or operating as a sole trader, see https://business.gov.au.

I want to apply for a job but I would like to help my prospective employer understand what level my overseas qualification is in Australia. What can I do?

Where employment in an occupation does not require registration, licensing, professional membership or industry requirements, it is up to each individual employer to decide if your overseas qualification(s) and/or skills are appropriate for the job and how they evaluate them.

A qualification assessment for general purposes may help your employer understand the level of your overseas qualifications to help them decide to employ you.

State and territory government Overseas Qualifications Units (OQU) do qualification assessments of overseas qualifications for general purposes for Australian citizens and permanent residents. This service is usually free. Contact your local OQU.

There is no OQU in New South Wales (NSW).

If you live in a state without an OQU, you may wish to contact an appropriate professional or industry body. Commercial assessment services are also available.

How will the assessment service closing affect my application or previous assessment?

The department's qualification assessment service is being discontinued.If your application for a new assessment has not been submitted by close of business on 20 July 2026, it will not be accepted. Please note that if you do submit and pay for an application after this time, there may be significant delays in processing a refund.

Requests to review assessments or amend assessment certificates will continue to be accepted until 30 September 2026. You can also request a replacement for a completed assessment. Charges may apply. Please contact us at QualsRecognition@education.gov.au for information.

Why is the department discontinuing its qualifications assessment service?

The department has previously offered a small-scale overseas qualification assessment service to complement state and territory assessment services. This service targeted only a small number of individuals referred by OQUs or with complex qualifications requiring specialised knowledge.

The department has made the decision to discontinue its assessment service to better position itself to fulfil its broader responsibilities for Australian Government policy on overseas qualifications recognition, which benefit a larger number of overseas qualified individuals nationwide. These responsibilities include providing information and policy advice, and engaging in bilateral, multilateral and domestic fora to support the recognition of overseas qualifications in Australia, and Australian qualifications overseas.

Other assessment services, including state and territory OQUs and commercial services are available.

An employer has told me that I need to get an assessment from you for my overseas qualification to apply for a job with them. How do I get this?

If you have been referred to us by an employer or other organisation to have your overseas qualifications assessed, please contact us with the details of the organisation that referred you.

A state/territory government Overseas Qualification Unit has referred me to you to get an assessment. How do I do this?

We do qualification assessments to help people find a job where the job does not have registration, licensing, professional membership or industry requirements. If you decide that a qualification assessment from us can help you look for general employment, please visit Qualification Assessment for information on our assessment service and how to apply.

The department is discontinuing its assessment service from close of business on 20 July 2026. Referrals from OQUs will no longer be accepted after this date. OQUs can contact the department directly for advice on individual assessment cases if required.

I live in NSW and there is no Overseas Qualifications Unit. How can I get my overseas qualification assessed?

If you live in a state without an OQU, you may wish to contact an appropriate professional or industry body. Other commercial assessment services are also available.

I want to study in Australia. How can I get my overseas qualification assessed to study?

Australian education institutions are responsible for assessing overseas qualifications for admission to study their programs. Contact the institution you wish to study at. Contact details for Australian education institutions can be found at Study in Australia.

How do I apply for a Department of Education qualification assessment for general purposes?

See Qualification Assessment for information on how to apply for our qualification assessment.

The qualification assessment service will be discontinued from close of business 20 July 2026.

Where can I find more information on the department's qualification assessments?

Please see Qualification Assessment for information. Our service will be discontinued from close of business 20 July 2026.

I am overseas (or going overseas). How do I get my Australian qualification verified and/or authenticated?

Overseas governments sometimes need proof that Australian documents are genuine before they will accept them. Qualification documents can be authenticated by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). DFAT Smart Traveller has information and advice about the procedures for authentication.

If you need verification that you have studied at an Australian institution, contact the institution where you studied directly. Australian institutions also offer verification services to third party enquirers. Contact details for Australian education institutions can be found at Study in Australia.

We can provide information about the status of an Australian institution and information about an Australian qualification to third parties (such as prospective employers).

How do I have my Australian qualification recognised overseas?

It is the responsibility of the relevant authority in the overseas country to recognise your Australian qualification. Many of these authorities are listed on the ENIC-NARIC website. If the country you are in is not listed, contact the relevant government body such as a Ministry of Education or Ministry of Higher Education who can provide you with advice.

I work in an organisation involved in policy and am seeking more information about the Australian education system and/or qualifications recognition in Australia.

Please contact us.

If you have been unable to find the information you require, please contact us.

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